Finding a pet sitter is hard. There are lots of reasons you might start looking.
You might be going on vacation; you might have just started shift work; your job might require regular travel; you might be sick; you might have to go to the hospital; a family member might be sick; you might have to travel out of town for a funeral.
There too many reasons to list when you just can't be at home to take care of your pet.
Where is the first place you're going to start looking for a pet sitter? Probably family and friends, maybe your neighbors - people you trust. This person is going to be coming into your home and taking care of one of the most important members of your family. You have to talk to them, work with them, and pay them. You have to like the pet sitter you choose, your family has to like the pet sitter you choose and above all, your pet has to like the pet sitter you choose.This means finding just the right pet sitter is extremely important.
Unfortunately, friends and family have jobs, pets and families of their own. You might also feel guilty for bothering them if you have to ask too often. This is when you will probably start to think about hiring a professional pet sitter - and you will probably start looking on Google or craigslist.
Here is a list of 13 things to consider when you start looking for the best pet sitter:
1. How much experience does the pet sitter have with your type of pet?
a. For example, if you have an iguana, look for a pet sitter with iguanas or other reptiles. Iguanas are considered an "exotic pet," and can be difficult to take care of. This step could save your pet's life. Make sure the pet sitter has experience with your kind of pet. The pet sitter should be able to tell if your pet is sick, and should be confident enough to drive your pet to the vet if needed.
2. References. Are they good references? Can you call the references and talk to them?
a. Does the pet sitter have a website where you can see pictures, and read testimonials?
3. What about your vet? Would this pet sitter meet your vet? Would you be comfortable introducing this person to your vet?
4. Health considerations
a. What about diseases between humans and animals? Are they knowledgable, confident and experienced? Do they ask you about vaccinations?
b. How clean is the pet sitter? Do you think they would wash carefully before handling your pet? Does the pet sitter know anything about how diseases spread between the same species, what about different species?
5. Transportation?
a. Can the pet sitter take your pet to the vet quickly if the need arises?
b. Can the pet sitter maintain a consistent schedule if your pet requires this?
c. Did they arrive on time for your interview?
6. Is the pet sitter a person you would trust with the keys to your house, your alarm code and all your valuables?
7. Does your pet feel comfortable with the pet sitter?
a. Does the pet sitter pay attention to your pet's reactions? How does the pet sitter act around your pet?
b. Is your pet comfortable with the pet sitter touching them? Does the pet sitter react negatively to rejection by your pet? Do they keep pushing your pet, or do they allow your pet to come to them slowly?
8. Do you like the pet sitter?
a. Does the pet sitter make you feel calm and comfortable? Do they seem comfortable with all kinds of feedback?
b. Are you comfortable the pet sitter is intelligent enough to think critically about your pet? How about following directions?
9. Is the pet sitter a professional?
a. Do you feel the pet sitter will be calm under pressure? Is the pet sitter competent and experienced enough to administer medications to your pet if necessary? Is the pet sitter intelligent enough to follow complicated instructions about your pet?
b. Does the pet sitter have medication experience? Did the pet sitter take notes during the interview? How organized are they? Would you feel comfortable leaving them with complex instructions?
10. Do you feel the pet sitter's rates are fair?
a. Compare their rates to other pet sitting services in your area.
b. Does this pet sitter offer packages for more than one visit per day?
11. Make a well-informed decision - choose the pet sitter you are completely comfortable with
a. Do more than one interview
b. Read more than one pet sitter's website
c. Call or email references
12. Will the pet sitter talk to you while you are gone - on your schedule?
a. Can they take pictures and email them to you? What about posting a picture and update online?
b. Is the pet sitter technologically capable? Can they send you emails about how your pet is doing? Does the pet sitter offer extra services like posting pictures of your pet and how they are doing to a web page, or emailing you pictures and updates?
c. Will they call you every day, more than once, if you ask them to?
13. Is your pet violent, old, or sick?
a. Is the pet sitter comfortable dealing with a pet who has special needs? What does the pet sitter say when you tell them about any special needs your pet has? Do they seem compassionate and capable?
Don't ignore your reactions, or the reactions of your pet and family.
The pet sitter you choose will be in your home, they will have your keys, access to all your possessions - and they will be alone with your pet.
Choose a pet sitter you trust and like - and a pet sitter your pet will feel comfortable and relaxed around.
The safety of your home, and the life of your pet, depends on this pet sitter - choose the very best one.
You might be going on vacation; you might have just started shift work; your job might require regular travel; you might be sick; you might have to go to the hospital; a family member might be sick; you might have to travel out of town for a funeral.
There too many reasons to list when you just can't be at home to take care of your pet.
Where is the first place you're going to start looking for a pet sitter? Probably family and friends, maybe your neighbors - people you trust. This person is going to be coming into your home and taking care of one of the most important members of your family. You have to talk to them, work with them, and pay them. You have to like the pet sitter you choose, your family has to like the pet sitter you choose and above all, your pet has to like the pet sitter you choose.This means finding just the right pet sitter is extremely important.
Unfortunately, friends and family have jobs, pets and families of their own. You might also feel guilty for bothering them if you have to ask too often. This is when you will probably start to think about hiring a professional pet sitter - and you will probably start looking on Google or craigslist.
Here is a list of 13 things to consider when you start looking for the best pet sitter:
1. How much experience does the pet sitter have with your type of pet?
a. For example, if you have an iguana, look for a pet sitter with iguanas or other reptiles. Iguanas are considered an "exotic pet," and can be difficult to take care of. This step could save your pet's life. Make sure the pet sitter has experience with your kind of pet. The pet sitter should be able to tell if your pet is sick, and should be confident enough to drive your pet to the vet if needed.
2. References. Are they good references? Can you call the references and talk to them?
a. Does the pet sitter have a website where you can see pictures, and read testimonials?
3. What about your vet? Would this pet sitter meet your vet? Would you be comfortable introducing this person to your vet?
4. Health considerations
a. What about diseases between humans and animals? Are they knowledgable, confident and experienced? Do they ask you about vaccinations?
b. How clean is the pet sitter? Do you think they would wash carefully before handling your pet? Does the pet sitter know anything about how diseases spread between the same species, what about different species?
5. Transportation?
a. Can the pet sitter take your pet to the vet quickly if the need arises?
b. Can the pet sitter maintain a consistent schedule if your pet requires this?
c. Did they arrive on time for your interview?
6. Is the pet sitter a person you would trust with the keys to your house, your alarm code and all your valuables?
7. Does your pet feel comfortable with the pet sitter?
a. Does the pet sitter pay attention to your pet's reactions? How does the pet sitter act around your pet?
b. Is your pet comfortable with the pet sitter touching them? Does the pet sitter react negatively to rejection by your pet? Do they keep pushing your pet, or do they allow your pet to come to them slowly?
8. Do you like the pet sitter?
a. Does the pet sitter make you feel calm and comfortable? Do they seem comfortable with all kinds of feedback?
b. Are you comfortable the pet sitter is intelligent enough to think critically about your pet? How about following directions?
9. Is the pet sitter a professional?
a. Do you feel the pet sitter will be calm under pressure? Is the pet sitter competent and experienced enough to administer medications to your pet if necessary? Is the pet sitter intelligent enough to follow complicated instructions about your pet?
b. Does the pet sitter have medication experience? Did the pet sitter take notes during the interview? How organized are they? Would you feel comfortable leaving them with complex instructions?
10. Do you feel the pet sitter's rates are fair?
a. Compare their rates to other pet sitting services in your area.
b. Does this pet sitter offer packages for more than one visit per day?
11. Make a well-informed decision - choose the pet sitter you are completely comfortable with
a. Do more than one interview
b. Read more than one pet sitter's website
c. Call or email references
12. Will the pet sitter talk to you while you are gone - on your schedule?
a. Can they take pictures and email them to you? What about posting a picture and update online?
b. Is the pet sitter technologically capable? Can they send you emails about how your pet is doing? Does the pet sitter offer extra services like posting pictures of your pet and how they are doing to a web page, or emailing you pictures and updates?
c. Will they call you every day, more than once, if you ask them to?
13. Is your pet violent, old, or sick?
a. Is the pet sitter comfortable dealing with a pet who has special needs? What does the pet sitter say when you tell them about any special needs your pet has? Do they seem compassionate and capable?
Don't ignore your reactions, or the reactions of your pet and family.
The pet sitter you choose will be in your home, they will have your keys, access to all your possessions - and they will be alone with your pet.
Choose a pet sitter you trust and like - and a pet sitter your pet will feel comfortable and relaxed around.
The safety of your home, and the life of your pet, depends on this pet sitter - choose the very best one.
About the Author:
Pet Sitting by Anne is a premium pet sitting service in Coquitlam, BC. Anne O'Meara has years of experience with cats and dogs. Anne has a reputation as a gentle and compassionate pet sitter who really does put your pet first. Read some testimonials, and explore the services Pet Sitting by Anne offers.. This article, How to Choose a Pet Sitter is released under a creative commons attribution license.
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