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Our Sitters
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The Sitters is a professional pet and house sitting service provided by Edson Enterprises, LLC. We offer pet care in the home, or monitor the home if there are no pets, while you are:
• out-of- town on business
• gone on vacation
• busy at work/school or unable to return home for extended hours (such as you are going out directly after work to dinner/theater etc.)
• unable to exercise, relieve, or transport pets due to other reasons (such as you are post-surgery, have difficulty walking, are temporarily unable to drive)
• unable to do errands, meet delivery or repair persons mid-day
Types of Pets: We care for your dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats, birds, ferrets, lizards/iguanas, snakes, turtles, fish, frogs and a variety of other animals.
All pets must have an identified veterinarian and be currently vaccinated.
We do not care for pets with dangerous tendencies, aggressive behavior or a history of biting. Our Sitters always reserve the right to place a pet in an appropriate safe setting if they become a safety concern or a risk to our Sitter while you are away.
Pet care includes: feeding, watering, potty breaks, walking/exercising, playing, loving and companionship for your animals. We will take your pets to their favorite park/play area if requested. We also provide health and safety checks, medications, clean-up and pet-taxi if needed.
Home care includes: lighting rotation, bringing in the mail and newspapers, watering plants/hanging baskets, taking out the trash/recycle, interior and exterior residential checks, and other duties as requested.
Errands include: stocking your refrigerator before you return from being away, picking up pet or supplies, meeting delivery/repair persons, or doing other types of errands per client request.
Sitter visit hours are typically scheduled between 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Overnight Sitter services may be arranged on a case-by-case basis. We do a limited number of overnights in non-smoking, very clean households. Overnight accommodations must also include a proper sleeping situation for our Sitter. A minimum of 10 hours is required and plenty of notice is needed for scheduling.
Our founding principle is to serve pets and owners with the utmost care, attention and respect for life and property. The Sitters is Insured & Bonded. We also are certified by the American Red Cross in Pet First Aid for Cats and Dogs.
We are members of Pet Sitters International (PSI), which is a wonderful resource for pet owners and pet sitters. The web address for PSI is www.petsit.com.
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About the Founder
The Sitters was founded in 2003 by Jill W. Edson. Jill's passion for animals began the first time she saw one as a toddler. She has loved and owned various combinations of animals all her life including large, medium, and small dogs; cats; guinea pigs, rabbits and mice; birds; turtles, an iguana and various fish. Today she has two dogs (one Shepard Mix and a Chow Mix...both rescues), two Siamese cats, an Eastern Box Turtle, and two African Dwarf frogs. Jill also has been a horsewoman since she was too small to reach the stirrups!
| When preparing to graduate from high school in the mid-1970’s, Jill wanted to be a veterinarian. At the time, the University of Wisconsin had a large animal program that upon interview let Jill know that she was “just too small” to do “that type of work”. |
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Jill with Cyan and Mushu Instead, Jill earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, and worked as a Registered Nurse for many years. Her specialties throughout her career included all areas of critical care, ortho-neuro, and rehabilitation. (Jill is still licensed as an RN in the state of Washington). Next, Jill completed a Master’s in Business Administration in 1983. Since then, she has worked in healthcare in marketing, strategic planning, contracting and business development. Owning and operating a pet and house sitting business represents Jill’s third major shift in careers. This one is inspired by her love for animals, and satisfies her life-long desire to work in their service.
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| Colby:
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After high school, I always chose roommates who loved animals as much as I do. I was a foster parent for the Human Society of Utah, and Four Paws animal rescue for several years. During that time I got to know so many great animals and help them find forever homes! My husband is in the military, and with our housing situation I cannot have a four legged best friend. So, I am very anxious to give loving care to your pet!
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Helen & Hayley : Other animals we raised through the years were baby lambs, piglets, pigeons that nested in our chicken coop, chickens that laid eggs, ducks and their ducklings, a turkey or two, bunny rabbits, and a chicken hawk I found after school and nursed back to health. We also raised pollywogs, witnessing them turn into little tiny frogs. |
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I always desired to have a horse, but my dad said that because horses didn't provide milk, we couldn't afford one. Cindy, my Uncle's mare, was the closest thing to having my own. The summer out of 10th grade, I got to take care of and ride her for 3 months. I joined the 4-H riding club, and Cindy and I became fast friends! That year, I painted an oil painting of Cindy and her colt, and my Uncle paid $50 for it. It was given back to me a few years ago before my Uncle passed away. (Note: one of my other talents is doing oil portraits of people or their animals).
When I was in junior high, my parents got us our first Siamese cat. I remember being so amazed at their beautiful blue eyes. Except for a white cat, from then on we always had a Siamese cat or two around. ~ Helen P. Howell
Hi, I'm Hayley and I'm 23 years old. I have always loved animals, especially cats. We had a black and white cat named Jasper when I was too young to remember. From then on, I do remember having at least one Siamese cat in the home. Because of my love of cats, and my desire to make a difference for children, I decided to write a book series called Sammy's CatVentures. My mother Helen did the artwork, enhancing my drawings and ideas. The series was named after one of our very lovable Siamese cats named Sammy. My first book was published March 2007 called Sammy Catches the Gloomy Loomies. The theme is about spreading joy and laughter throughout the world. (You can purchase my book directly online at my website: www.SammysCatVentures.com). ~ Hayley L. Howell
Today, our family has 3 Siamese cats named Snickers, Lacy, and Smokey, and one Korat cat named Abby. We used to have a very sweet dog named Paddy (a black Maltese/Poodle/Fox Terrier mix). He would jump up at your knee and "grin" at you. It was a unique grin and people would get a kick out of it. He has been gone now for over 2 years, and we miss him. In closing, although pets take a lot of care, they have certainly brought our family a lot of joy over the years. We are sure you feel the same. So...what better job could we have than sitting for your pets?
~ Helen and Hayley
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| Jeri & Kat:
Our love for animals has been a dominate part of our lives. We have had an assortment of pets growing up which included dogs, cats, rats, rabbits, hamsters, parakeets, and even a horse. |
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At the present time, we live in Bonney Lake. We share a home with Kat's husband and five kids. We also have three dogs and two cats, so you know we're very busy and organized people.
Our calm and nurturing personalities makes pet sitting one of the most rewarding jobs we will ever have .
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| Linda:
I can't remember not having an animal. My parents had a cat, Mr. Nettleton before I was born whom I grew up with. I received my first dog, Fluffy, at the age of 10. |
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I went on to have several more dogs: Tami and Rosie, the Pomeranians; Amanda and Megan, the Lhasas; Lizzard, who was part Doxie and Chihuahua; Aria, Luna and Micha the Eskies. For 12 years I had a cat Minerva. I have had a variety of small pets: freshwater fish, parakeets, and frogs.
I have provided health care to my animals: Megan, who died of kidney failure; Aria who had a weakened immune system and bladder; Micha, who has irritable bowel syndrome and needs to follow a strict diet. I have cared for sick cats, fish, and birds.
My pets are some of my best friends. I know the joy and wonderful companionship they offer. I am seriously committed to providing the very best care to our clients, their owners and families.
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| Lynne: I grew up in Federal Way before it became the metropolis it is today. I was lucky that my parents were both animal lovers and allowed us to have many pets. We had quite an assortment including: cats, dogs, hamsters, turtles, fish, birds and a white rat. I learned a lot about animals from the experience of raising all of these critters. I wanted to help every stray animal that came into our yard. I can remember holding my dog on my lap and telling her "You're my best friend." |
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During college, I found a black-and-white stray kitty. Or, maybe I should say she found me. This was the beginning of a long relationship with my cat Gypsy. Thanks to Gypsy I survived graduate school and my first job as a CDS (Communication Disorders Specialist) in Eastern Washington. I didn't realize that I would soon find out the real meaning of the word "rural."
Since that time I have always had cats in my life. Currently I live in Kent with my 12-year-old daughter. I work three days a week as an SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) for the Kent School District. We have five cats and one fish. I also take care of my mom's Chin/Pekinese Focus. I'm his taxi driver and walker. I look forward to adding a little dog to our menagerie some day, but that will be when I retire. Our most recent kitty (number 5) is sometimes shared by our neighbor so he has the best of both worlds. We call him Snickers, and she calls him Max. Hmmm. Maybe that's why he seems a little confused? Snickers is joined by Socksy, Tessa, Baby Kitty (Squeakers); and Missy and of course their two humans. Pet Sitting offers me the opportunity to give back to animals the love and devotion that they have given to me.[ Back to Top ]
| Suzanne:
My first encounter with Jill Edson and The Sitters was about three years ago, when I became a client. We have two Yorkies who are now our only "children" at home. I was and am so impressed with the care that I wanted to be a part of the care-giving for others. |
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I have a background for "care-giving". I have four grown children, nine grandchildren and am a care-giver for my elderly mother. I also was a flight attendant for 28 years--hence more "care-giving" on the airplane!! I am proud to join "The Sitters" and look forward to meeting your pets!
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| Tiffany: I am a retired RN and have lived in Federal Way for the last 10 years. I grew up on a small farm in SW Washington. There were always a lot of animals around. I made pets of the pigs and calves. I even had a pet chicken. There were always lots of barn cats and they were very social. We got our first dog when I was six. He was a collie shepherd mix and would meet us at the bus stop when we came home from school. |
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After I finished nursing school and living in apartments, I couldn't have a dog or cat, I had fish or a horse. I love all animals, but am partial to dogs, and now have Missy who is a rescued greyhound. All of my dogs have been rescue animals from the Humane Society or PAWS.
I look forward to caring for and loving your animals as if they were my own.
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The Sitters is serious about ensuring we can provide the type of service that you desire and your pet requires. The first step in deciding if we're a good match is the Initial Interview. There is a charge for this one-time service to document the care required and activate your client account. For details, please review our client policies.
During your Initial Interview, your Sitter will visit with you in your home. The purpose of this interview is:
• To get to know your family, your home, and your pet (if you have one)
• To listen to and document what you need to be done when you’re away
• To learn about your preferences for caring for your home and pet
• To learn where supplies are kept
• To complete your Service Agreement
If you decide you would like us to be your Sitters, you may provide us with the necessary keys, openers, and codes at the time of the Initial Interview, or, for an additional fee we can come pick these up at a later date.
To schedule your Initial Interview, call 253-661-SITT (7488).
If you decide you would like a second interview or an instructional visit, that’s okay too. Be aware that a charge will be incurred based on the amount of time needed to complete the additional visits.
It is important to
remember, we typically prefer 1 week notice for service reservations.
All clients should review our client
policies prior to starting pet sitting services.
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Primary Service Areas:
Primary Service Area #1: Within 7 miles of our south Federal Way office (includes Federal Way, Twin Lakes, Dash Point, Browns Point, Marine Hills, Northeast Tacoma, Edgewood, Fife, Milton and some parts of Woodmont, Kent, Lakeland Hills, Auburn.)
Service Area #2: Within 7 miles of North Tacoma including the Stadium District, Old Town, Proctor District, Ruston, West End, Lakewood and some surrounding areas including University Place)
Service Area #3: We also service Bonney Lake, Sumner and Lakeland.
Additional Service Areas: For engagements outside our primary service areas, an extra charge will be assessed for each additional 15 minutes of travel time required to reach your residence.
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The Sitters recommends your dogs be visited two to four times per day. For their own safety and well-being, cats must be visited at least once per day. Other small animals’ needs depend on species and unique character. All animals in a household must be “visited”. There are no additional charges for each animal in a household, or for medication administration…however if additional time is warranted to ensure each animal is fully tended, you will be charged for that time. This is documented at the time of initial interview.
• A visit for pet sitting is a 30 minute minimum.
• A visit for house sitting is a 15 minute minimum.
• Errand services have a 30 minute minimum.
• Overnights have a 10 hour minimum. (Daytime visits are additional.)
Pet Sitting is a pre-paid service. Payment must be received in full prior to our first visit of each trip...or at the beginning of each month for ongoing service clients. Please review our client policies and our current fee schedule for pricing and cancellation of service details.
For a service fee quotation to be current and accurate, an Initial Interview must be completed. To schedule your Interview call The Sitters at 253-661-SITT (7488).[ Back
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1911 SW Campus Drive, #307
Federal Way, WA 98023-6441
Phone:
253/661-SITT (7488)
FAX: 253/276-0224
Email: info@the-sitters.com
Website: www.the-sitters.com
We accept phone calls between 7 am and 7 pm. If we are unable to answer your call in person, please leave a detailed message, and we’ll return your call as soon as we’re able. We are also very comfortable with corresponding by email.
Look forward to meeting you soon!
The Sitters is service provided by Edson Enterprises, LLC.
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