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How to Select a Pet Sitter

Nothing strikes as much worry of a traveling pet owner as worrying if their 4 legged children will be properly cared for while they are away. In fact, an ever-growing number of pet parents are avoiding kennel boarding and even family members or the neighbor's kids, in favor of home-based pet care out of concern for their pet's physical and emotional health, well-being and safety.

Selecting just the right sitter to care for a pet and home is a very important decision that should not be taken lightly.  Taking even a few relatively simple steps into account before entrusting your pet to a sitting service can better assure your loved one receives the affection and attention it needs and deserves.

Things to consider when selecting a pet sitter; 

·         Do a phone interview and/or consultation visit with the sitter to observe interactions with them and your pet.  All animals have a great deal of sensitivity toward human beings.  If the owner feels comfortable with the sitter then their pets feel more assured, reading their humans' emotion. 

·         Ensure the company is licensed, bonded and insured. This will give you piece of mind.

·         Ensure the company and sitter offer a reliable, convenient and quick method of communication whether it is email, phone and/or text.

·         Make sure the sitter can accommodate both your desired vacation schedule, especially during busy holidays, and the pets daily feeding and walking schedule.

·         Ensure the company has a back up sitter in place should your sitter have an emergency that prevents them from completing your assignment.  You and your pet should meet the back up sitter if possible.

·         Clearly state how you would like the sitter to use his/her visit time in terms of walking, playing, feeding, cleaning, etc.

·         Do provide medical and behavioral history about your pet(s) as well as veterinary and other emergency contact information, and gather all necessary supplies, including food, vitamins, treats, and a leash, in one central location.

Other Considerations:

·         Don't assume that you can leave your pets alone and unattended in your home with a large supply of food and water while you're away. Pets can easily knock over their food bowls or feeders, get their claws/paws caught in soft materials, cause unforeseen damage to items in your home, and could be trapped should a fire or other unforeseen emergency occur in or near your home or apartment.

·         Don't believe that pets left alone for long period of time are immune to emotional distress.  Complete solitude for days on end can make an animal depressed.

·         Don't stick your dog in the back yard unattended. They could be affected by unusual and expected weather conditions, be vulnerable to nighttime predators, try to - and successfully - escape through a weak point in your back yard, or bark incessantly causing neighbor frustration.

·         Don't leave your pet care to the local neighbor's kid or inexperienced college student. Teenagers and college students can be forgetful and may not live up to their full pet care responsibilities, possibly forgetting to show up on your requested dates or leaving your home unsecured. Even those with the best of intentions and efforts can still fall far short in properly caring for your pet or acting on an emergency with your pet or home.

·         Don't unnecessarily subject your pets to crowded kennels and boarding facilities. These are the primary breeding grounds for airborne diseases such as kennel cough and the potentially deadly canine influenza. They may also have psychological trauma from being confined in a cage with non-stop barking around them, picked on by an alpha dog, or through experiencing separation anxiety from their home environment and their owners.

·         Don't shop for a pet care provider on price alone. Often, the lowest-cost providers lack insurance, bonding, professional training and backup staff. If something goes wrong with your pet sitter, your pet or your home, you could be stuck without pet care, left responsible for paying a large repair or veterinarian bill or worse.