Choosing a Pet Sitter
Pet sitters do much more than provide your pet with food
and water while you're away from home. A good pet sitter
also spends quality time with your pet, gives him exercise,
and knows how to tell if your pet needs veterinary
attention. What's more, pet sitters typically offer additional
services, such as bringing in mail and newspapers,
watering plants, turning lights on and off, and providing
homes with a lived-in look to deter crime.
But just because someone calls herself a pet sitter doesn't
mean she's qualified to do the job. This information will
help you find the best pet sitter for you and your pet.
Why hire a pet sitter?
When you must be away from home—say for travel or an
emergency—and don't want to leave your pet in a
boarding kennel, who takes care of your pet? If you're like
many pet owners, you ask a friend or neighbor to stop in
and pour some kibble and water in your pet's bowls. But is
this what's best for your pet? There's a good chance that
your friends and neighbors lack proper pet-care
experience and have even forgotten to show up. They may
also resent frequent requests to look after your pet while
you're gone. So what is the solution? Consider hiring a
"pet sitter"—a professional, qualified individual paid to care
for your pet.
A pet sitter offers both you and your pet many benefits.
Your pet gets:
 | the environment he knows best. | |
| his same diet and routine. | |
| relief from traveling to and staying in an unfamiliar | |
| place with other animals (such as a boarding kennel). | ||
| attention while you're away. |
happier friends and neighbors, who aren't burdened with
the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your pet is
being cared for by a professional.
someone to bring in your newspaper and mail so potential
burglars don't know you're away.
someone who will come to your home so you don't have to
drive your pet to a boarding kennel.
other services provided by most pet sitters, such as plant
watering and pet grooming.
Where do I find a pet sitter?
Start with a recommendation from a friend, neighbor,
veterinarian, humane society, or dog trainer. Check the
Yellow Pages under "Pet Sitting Services." You can also
contact the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
(800-296-PETS) or Pet Sitters International (336-983-
9222) for a referral. Both organizations offer pet-sitter
accreditation to those who demonstrate professional
experience, complete pet-care-related home study
courses, attend professional conferences, and abide by a
code of ethics set by the organizations.
What should I look for?
It's important to learn all you can about prospective pet
sitters' qualifications and services. Before selecting a pet
sitter, interview the candidates over the phone or at your
home. Find out the following:
| Can the pet sitter provide written proof that she has | |
| commercial liability insurance (to cover accidents and negligence) and is bonded (to protect against theft by a pet sitter or her employees)? | ||
| What training has the pet sitter received? | |
| Will the pet sitter record notes about your pet, such | |
| as his likes, dislikes, fears, habits, medical conditions, medications, and routines? | ||
| Is the pet sitter associated with a veterinarian who | |
| can provide emergency services? | ||
| What will happen if the pet sitter experiences car | |
| trouble or becomes ill? Does she have a backup? | ||
| Will the pet sitter provide related services such as in- | |
| home grooming, dog walking, dog training, and play time? | ||
| Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract | |
| spelling out services and fees? | ||
| If the pet sitter provides live-in services, what are the | |
| specific times she agrees to be with your pet? Is this detailed in the contract? | ||
| How does your pet sitter make sure that you have | |
| returned home? | ||
| Will the pet sitter provide you with the phone | |
| numbers of other clients who have agreed to serve as references? |
Even if you like what you hear from the pet sitter and from
her references, it's important to have the prospective pet
sitter come to your home to meet your pet before actually
hiring her for a pet-sitting job. Watch how she interacts with
your pet—does your pet seem comfortable with the
person? If this visit goes well, start by hiring the pet sitter to
care for your pet during a short trip, such as a weekend
excursion. That way, you can work out any problems
before leaving your beloved pet in the pet sitter's care for
longer periods.
How can I help the pet sitter and my pet?
Of course, even the most trustworthy, experienced pet
sitter will have trouble if you haven't also kept your end of
the bargain. Here are your responsibilities:
| Make reservations with your pet sitter early, | |
| especially during holidays. | ||
| Ensure your pet is well socialized and allows | |
| strangers to handle him. | ||
| Affix current identification tags to your pet's collar. | |
| Maintain current vaccinations for your pet. | |
| Leave clear instructions detailing specific pet-care | |
| responsibilities and emergency contact information, including how to reach you and your veterinarian. | ||
| Leave pet food and supplies in one place. | |
| Buy extra pet supplies in case you're away longer | |
| than planned. | ||
| Leave a key with a trustworthy neighbor as a | |
| backup, and give him and your pet sitter each other's phone numbers. Be sure those extra keys work before giving them out. | ||
| Show the pet sitter your home's important safety | |
| features such as the circuit breaker and security system. |
Finally, have a safe and fun trip. And remember to bring
your pet sitter's phone number in case your plans
change—or you just want to find out how Fluffy and Fido
are doing.
ALWAYS HOME PET SITTING & DOG WALKING SERVICING ALL OF MOBILE AND PARTS OF BALDWIN COUNTY 251-455-5634 Attention Mobile and Baldwin County Pet Sitting Business Owners! Will pay TOP DOLLAR for your client list when you decide to move on to your next venture!! |
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Reservations
It is best to plan a couple of weeks in
advance in order to obtain services
on the dates you desire. An in-home
interview is required, prior to
reservations, for all new clients.
While we can tentatively pencil in
your dates we must meet you and
your pets and access your needs
before we make a commitment to
providing your pets’ care. During this
initial meeting we will also review and
complete forms and sign
agreements. These are also
available on our website and you
may download them and fill them out
before our initial meeting to save 30
minutes of time. Or you can request
a “Welcome kit” in advance of this
meeting.
INITIAL MEETING. Free!
When I visit your home for the first
time we will do a "get to know you" for
the pet owners, pets and me, it is
absolutely free! I will need at least
one hour of your undivided attention.
You will have to provide two keys at
the time of the meeting. (Please,
make sure all keys work)! This is for
the safety and care of your pets.
Keys: “Always Home Pet Sitting &
Dog Walking” will obtain your house
key during the initial visit, when
service is scheduled and agreements
are signed. I cannot pick up keys that
are hidden or left with neighbors,
relatives or friends nor can I leave
the keys with friends, relatives or
neighbors. The reason there are two
keys are required so that one can be
left in the office for back up. This is
also for the safety and care of your
pets.
If “Always Home Pet Sitting & Dog
Walking” will not retain keys at the
end of service the keys will be
returned within seven days of the
end of your service, in person or by
certified mail and you will be billed
$18.00 for key pick up and $ 18.00
for key drop off. If the key is to be
mailed certified you would incur a
charge of $18.00 plus certified mail
charge, all due at time of signing
initial agreement. It is recommended
your key remain in your “Always
Home Pet Sitting & Dog Walking” file
for convenience in future use of our
service and to enable telephone
reservations, thus avoiding future
key pick up charges.
Reservation Confirmation: Always
directly confirm your reservation with
“Always Home Pet Sitting & Dog
Walking.” This ensures that we won't
miss your message and your pet’s
care will continue uninterrupted.
Extended Absence: In the event
you have to be away longer than
planned it is mandatory that we hear
from you! We will only accept
extensions of service by direct
confirmation. Your pets’ well being
depends on our communication!
‘Comfort Calls”: You may call
“Always Home Pet Sitting & Dog
Walking” between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
daily to check on your pet during
your absence. Since I’m often out of
the office, please leave a message
and your call will be returned
promptly.
“Honey, I’m Home” calls: Please
remember to call when you have
returned home safely! Otherwise, I
will need to continue visiting to
assure the safety and well being of
your pets. Additional trips will be
added to your bill at the regular rate.
Please call at ANY hour and leave a
voice message that you have
returned.
VISITS TO YOUR HOME consists of:
| collection of mail, packages | |
| and newspaper | ||
| food, water, medications if | |
| needed |
| potty break or dog walk, | |
| includes doggy-doo clean-up |
| cleaning litter boxes, cages |
| alternating lights, curtains, | |
| blinds |
| turn on/off TV and/ or Music |
| watering plants within reason |
| checking skimmer basket | |
| other special requests can be | |
| considered |
