Why
Use A Pet Sitter? | Preparing Your Home
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Pet sitting is a service which provides in-home care for your pets. This service may be requested for a number of reasons. For example:
• You are going on vacation or a business trip.
• You work long hours and your animal needs care during the day.
• You are temporarily unable to exercise your animal due to illness or injury.
• You need help getting your pet to his or her vet appointment while you’re busy.
• You are unexpectedly called away.
• Your pet needs medication during the day.
• You require help doing errands for your pet like picking up pet food, supplies or taking your pet for grooming.
• You want back up at-the-ready in case an emergency or disaster strikes while you are away.
Hiring a pet sitter lets you relax knowing that you’ve left your pet in a safe, familiar and comfortable environment…with someone who knows and cares for him or her.
Most loving pet owners know that their pets will be happier overall if they can remain in their own home while their owner is gone. Your pet sitter will make this possible.
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Pet owners hire pet sitters for their pets, just like they hire a nanny or beloved baby sitter for their kids. Your pet sitter will care for your pets in much the same way too.
Pet sitters care for your pets in your home per your specific instructions.
Some of what your pet sitter will do:
• Feed, water, walk/exercise, play, give medications, clean up “accidents”, litter/yard, monitor health/safety of each pet.
• Take in mail, newspapers, check doors, windows, change lighting, care for plants, take out trash/recycle, give your home the “lived-in look”.• Take pets to vet appointments, purchase/deliver pet food and supplies, run other household errands per your request.
Other duties are considered per owner request.
Use a pet sitter to make sure your pet is less stressed by your being away. Your pets will remain in their own familiar surroundings, stay on their own diet and exercise plan, and have someone to reassure, love, and play with them while you are gone.
It is important to point out that your pet sitter and your pet must feel comfortable together. If your pet growls, snaps, or exhibits other aggressive behavior when he or she meets the pet sitter, you may be best to consider using another pet care option. This is also true if your pet has a history of biting or attacking other people or animals.
In addition, some pets with intense medical needs may also be better served in their vet’s own kennel.
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How can you prepare your pet and home before you leave?
Being prepared to be away from your pet is crucial to your ability to relax while you are gone. Here are some ways to ensure that you are all set:
• Always make sure your pet sitter knows when you are leaving (date and hour) and when you plan to return (date and hour).
• Leave all appropriate phone numbers as well as your cell phone, pager, fax or whatever contact information you have (such as conference organizer, hotel, relative’s cell etc).
• Make sure your pet sitter has all your keys, garage door opener and/or any other items or codes necessary to enter your home. If you have an alarm system, don’t forget to notify your service that your pet sitter will be entering your home.
• Notify your pet’s veterinarian that your pet sitter will be caring for your pets and has the authority to bring your pet in for treatment. Make sure that your pet sitter has written verification that your pet is current on all its vaccinations.
• Notify any appropriate neighbors or family members that you have hired a pet sitter and that the sitter has permission to be going in and out of your home.
• Leave plenty of water and food for your pet before you go. It is helpful to make sure that your pet sitter knows where you keep all your pet care supplies (including your pet’s collar and leash). Make sure your pet cannot slip out of his or her collar. Also have extra food and supplies on hand in case you are delayed upon your return.
• If you have more than one pet, make sure each pet is wearing an ID tag with his/her name on it. This is particularly important if the pets have different diets or are receiving medications.
• Make sure you have appropriate sized pet carriers available for the pet sitter to use in case your pet needs to be transported for play or emergent purposes.
• Let the pet sitter know if there are any areas of your house or yard in which your pet is not allowed to go.
• Make sure to provide your pet sitter with other local contact persons with respective phone numbers who have access to your home in case of emergency.
• If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, you may also want to notify the police that you will be gone.
Please review our client policies prior to beginning pet sitting services.
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What happens if there is an emergency while you’re gone?
If there is an emergency for your pet:
• First, your pet sitter will assess the situation and provide care to ensure that your pet is taken to your vet or the nearest animal hospital if necessary.
• Then, your pet sitter will attempt to contact you at the numbers provided for decisions to be made. If you are unable to be reached, the pet sitter will use his or her best judgment to ensure your pet is cared for appropriately until you can be contacted.
If there is an emergency for your home:
• First, your pet sitter will notify the police, fire, or other emergency agency or service to help take care of the problem. The pet sitter will heavily rely on the services outlined in the Service Agreement as first choice providers.
• Then, your pet sitter will attempt to contact you at the numbers provided for decisions to be made. If you are unable to be reached, the pet sitter will use his or her best judgment to ensure your home is cared for appropriately until you can be contacted.
In case of disaster, severe weather conditions, or personal emergency:
Please take time to review our disaster plan.
Questions regarding this plan may be directed to us at info@the-sitters.com or by phone at 253-661-7488.
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