Of course it's easier on the pet to stay at home than it is to be in a kennel at the vet's office or someplace like that, although there are some really great boarding kennels out there now. (It's also a good way for me to earn a few extra dollars because I can honestly tell you that no one gets rich on disability!)
It's also just good for the homeowner because someone in the home not only deters break ins, but it sure helps in other situations. Just a couple of things that have occurred while I've been on a job have been a broken water pipe and the house getting struck by lightning, after the storm had passed. (That was one crazy day!) It's so much better to have someone there to respond as the crisis is happening, rather than coming home and having to respond to the mess you would find after the disaster has struck, and I can tell you that both of the incidents I mentioned could have resulted in disasters for the homeowners.
And in a roundabout way, that brings me to the point of this blog post...
Because I'm a pet / house sitter I'm often asked, how does one find the perfect sitter? Well, here are a few tips to help your search.
First, think about your pet. For instance, if you're seeking a sitter for a dog, is your dog young, high energy, requires daily runs, etc.? If that's the case, then you probably want to concentrate your search on someone who can spend a lot of time with your baby, take her on daily runs, and really use that energy so that she's not destructive while you're on vacation.
However, if your dog is older and enjoys napping the day away with occasional trips through the doggy door into the back yard, then a lower-energy sitter, such as a grandmother is probably the perfect choice.
What if you have a puppy? You might want to concentrate your search on someone who has experience training young dogs. Match your sitter choice to your pet.
Now that you have an idea of who you're looking for, where do you look for them? There are several places to check. You can ask family, friends, and neighbors if they know someone. You can also do a search at places such as Rover.com, Care.com, National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Professional United Pet Sitters, etc. Most sites allow you to search by location and more. You can usually search by price as well.
Look for a sitter who's experienced, has references, will meet with you and your pet beforehand, and provides updates with pictures during the stay. When you meet the prospective sitter, make sure they mesh with both you and your pet. If anyone is uncomfortable, don't be afraid to say, "No, thank you."
Make sure you check references that are provided, and be sure they come from clients, not from friends and family. Friends and family are great, but you want to know how the sitter is on the job, not how they behave during a night out or at a family event.
You also want to make sure you find a sitter that's capable of handling any emergencies that may arise, both pet related and otherwise. That means checking to make sure they know pet first aid and CPR, while also knowing what to do should a pipe burst or some other home crisis occur.
If the sitter doesn't ask you about, share with them about your vet, insurance, etc. Also detail your pet's schedule for feeding and activities, so everyone knows what's involved and expected. The more information that is shared up front is the less chance for surprises in the end.
Again, see how your pet interacts with the person. If something doesn't feel right, don't hesitate to keep looking. Animals are very good judges of character, and this person will be staying in your home while taking care of a beloved, furry family member. You need to trust them.
One thing to always remember is to book your sitter as soon as you know the dates you'll need them. Good sitters can book up months in advance, so you don't want to wait until the last minute to schedule the visit.
I hope this helps. If you have questions, please ask them. I'll be more than happy to answer them, expand this post, and help in any way.
Have a great one!
