Using a Pet Sitter

TWith many households having two working adults, more and more dog owners are turning to pet sitters to keep their best friend entertained and supervised while they’re away. A pet sitter is a great alternative to putting your dog in a kennel, which is especially important for dogs with special medical needs or for those behavioral problems. Also, some animals don’t tolerate riding in the car or leaving the house, especially without their owners nearby.

To find a reliable pet sitter in your area, ask your veterinarian, groomer, or friends and family for their recommendations, or check local bulletin boards and newspapers, as well as the phone book. Many sitters are bonded and insured for both your protection and theirs, and should have several references or testimonials from current or past clients.

Feel free to ask potential sitters as many questions as it takes for you to feel satisfied and comfortable with them. Any reputable pet sitter will be more than happy to answer any and all of your questions without hesitation. Ask for phone numbers of references, inquire as to how they deal with training issues or bad behavior, and find out how long they’ve been in the pet sitting business.

If they haven’t already volunteered the information, you should also ask your pet sitter how they would handle any potential emergencies such as a fire, accident or injury, or what they would do if your pet escapes from the yard or is lost.

Most pet sitters will schedule an initial visit for you to talk about any concerns you may have or for both parties to ask questions. You’ll want to cover important topics such as if your pet needs any medication, and what their feeding requirements are, and if they have any allergies or restrictions. It’s also a good idea to ask the sitter to take your dog for a walk to see how they’re able to handle him or her on a leash.

A pet sitter will also have several questions for you, such as how often they should be outside, and the places they’re allowed to go when outdoors. You should also expect to be asked if your pet’s vaccinations are current, what veterinarian you use, and if there are any specific behavioral issues you should be aware of.

Be sure to have a list of important phone numbers and information such as where you can be reached, including your cell phone number or work number, any reliable neighbors or nearby friends that can be contacted in cases of emergencies, and your regular veterinarian as well as the closest pet hospital.