When you travel without your pets, a pet sitter may be an excellent option for you and them. Unlike a boarding facility or kennel, your animals remain at home while the pet sitter visits you (usually once or twice a day). If you have a single pet or a very sociable animal, such as a dog, it is preferable to board them at a facility where they will receive plenty of care. However, if you have multiple cats, horses, birds, or other animal that is not suitable for boarding, a dependable pet sitter may be the best option for your pets. Pet watching services are typically beneficial to multi-pet homes since it is usually less expensive and less stressful to engage a pet sitter rather than transferring and boarding all of your animals. The following tips will assist you in finding a reputable and trustworthy pet sitter.
Request a pet sitter reference from friends or your veterinarian.
Even if you’re new to a community or don’t know your neighbours very well, it’s rather easy to spot pet owners. Request suggestions from a few of your neighbours. Try to learn a little bit about your next-door neighbor’s pet and their experience with a pet sitter. This will give you an excellent idea of the kind of care you may anticipate from the folks they suggest. In addition to boarding facilities, many veterinarians may have a veterinary technician on staff who also provides pet sitting services, or they may know of a reliable pet sitter.
Do your homework before hiring a pet sitter.
When speaking with possible pet sitters, inquire about the kind of animals they enjoy working with, how long they’ve been in business, how they got started, and specific questions regarding your pet’s requirements. Pet sitting is a popular way for those with expertise as vet techs, animal shelter personnel, or veterinary students to supplement their income. If they’ve experienced career burnout, some exceptional animal care employees establish a pet sitting service. Pet sitters with these qualifications can provide the finest service since they are more likely to detect disease in your pet and may have more expertise giving medications or caring for pets with particular requirements.
The most essential thing, though, is to locate someone who will be attentive, dependable, and responsible when it comes to your pet. Request three customer references once you’ve established a rapport with a pet sitter. Before giving the pet sitter a key to your house, follow up on the references and trust your instincts. If you can’t find a pet sitter reference in your region and have to cold-call a possible pet sitter, I recommend doing a criminal background check on them. Your safety worries will be ignored by a good sitter.
When it comes to services and fees, shop around.
Regardless of the amount of animals you have, most pet sitters charge a per-visit fee. If you have more than three animals or one that requires medicine, you should expect to pay a little higher cost every visit. Inquire about how much time the pet sitter will spend with the pet and how much they charge every visit. If you have two visits per day or are going on a long trip, some pet sitters may give you a discount. A few pet sitters provide overnight visits, in which they sleep in your house with your pets. Ask them if they can phone or email you every few days if your journey is extended.
Get to know your pet caretaker.
Have the pet sitter come over a few weeks before your trip so she can meet your animals. Keep an eye on how they interact with your pets. Are they non-invasive and gentle? If the pet sitter glides in and out of your home on their first visit, you can bet they’ll do the same thing when you pay them to look after your pet. Do not give negative sensations or thoughts a key; instead, follow your senses. If you feel comfortable, give them a key and show them around your house, including pet food storage, where pets are fed, how to administer medicine, toys, and any other items that will make them feel at ease. I usually tell my pet sitter that she may watch TV or snooze at my place whenever she wants. It’s best if they spend as much time as possible with the animals.
Final Suggestions
Call the pet sitter the day before your vacation to confirm your travel arrangements. Inform them of your expected return, but request that they continue to care for your pets until you call to say you’ve arrived. Leave a note on your kitchen table or refrigerator with a brief description of each pet, your veterinarian’s name and phone number, any special habits or medical needs, how to reach you, where you will be staying, your expected return date, and who to contact in the event of an emergency, such as a trip being severely delayed or a health emergency. Every two to three days, I contact my pet sitter for a short check-in. This provides me a sense of security. If your pet sitter needs to phone you every day, please be considerate of their time and tip them well when you return.
All pet sitting costs must be paid on time. You’ll notice that most pet sitters offer a little cost for their time when you include gas, travel time, and the initial and post-visit key exchange. Also, let your closest neighbours know who your pet sitter is so they won’t be alarmed if they see someone unfamiliar coming and departing from your home or apartment.
If your trip is longer than 10 days or you travel regularly, you might want to think about getting a pet or finding a roommate who loves animals and is willing to look after them while you’re away. It’s akin to being a parent to have a pet and find good care for it. Traveling with your pet may be both enjoyable and calming.