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Help Your Pet Sitter Help You
Do you plan to hire a pet sitter to care for your pets when you go on vacation? If this will be the first time hiring a pet sitter, keep these tips in mind to ensure they can provide optimal care for your pet:
- Be sure to leave your contact information and your pet’s vet info as well as an emergency contact
- Let the sitter know where your pet’s food, leash, treats and any other essentials are located
- Leave a flashlight for after-dark walks
- Provide your sitter with any special instructions regarding feeding your pet (pet won’t eat if sitter stands in feeding area, for example)
- Be sure to advise your neighbors that a sitter will be caring for your pets
- Notify your alarm company that a sitter will be in your home in the event the alarm is accidentally set off
- Check to be sure any food, cleaning products, or other items you want out of your pet’s reach are stored so your pet cannot access them
- Let your sitter know of any behaviors that may be important such as hiding places or tendency to run out of door if opened
- If your pet takes medication, be sure to show the sitter the dosage and how you normally administer it to your pet
- Be sure the sitter is aware of your expectations regarding your pet’s care (for example, scooping litter box daily, providing fresh food/water each day/visit)
Enjoy your vacation! If you tend to fret when away from your pet, ask the sitter to notify you to let you know how it’s going. The sitter should be happy to satisfy that request!
What to expect from your pet sitter
Bo, the cat: Okay, you have just learned what your duties are with respect to hiring a pet sitter, but what does the pet sitter need to do for you and your pet before you leave town?
Jessie, the dog: I would just tell the pet sitter to get rid of the cat. It’s that simple. Then, all of the attention could be showered upon moi!
Bo: I was thinking more along the lines of the RESPONSIBLE things the pet sitter needs to do. For example, the pet sitter will need to gather the client’s basic information: how many pets, what types of pets, and where they are located. The sitter will then schedule a get acquainted visit where the client will complete necessary paperwork, such as information on each pet, contact information for the client, an emergency contact, access instructions, and a release from their veterinarian in case something does happen to the pet in their absence and the sitter needs to take the pet to the vet.
Jessie: Still…wouldn’t it be easier just to get rid of the cat?
Bo: Go back to your corner, Jessie. I have the podium now. At the home visit, the pet sitter will meet the pet and determine its overall behavior. Is it aggressive? Destructive? Sweet and lovable like myself? The sitter will than ask for additional information as to what the client may want done during their absence. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City will get the mail, the paper, set out the garbage, water plants, and fill bird feeders, among other things. The sitter will also need to find out where the pet food, toys, accessories, and leashes are kept and find out any type of daily ritual, such as walks and treat time. Also, be sure to ask if the pet sitter is bonded and insured. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City is both bonded and insured. Another point of interest: observe how the sitter interacts with your pet on the get acquainted visit. If, in fact, the sitter does decide to get rid of the cat, escort the sitter out. However, if the sitter has designs on eradicating the dog, well, that is another story! Finally, check to see if the pet sitting service is a member of a professional association, such as Pet Sitters International or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City is the premiere pet sitting service in the area. They treat your pets like family.
What are your responsibilities when hiring a pet sitter?
We all know that pet sitters have certain responsibilities to their clients, and Bo and Jessie will touch upon those soon, but what is your duty when hiring a pet sitter? After all, you are entrusting your beloved pet to someone else’s care. You want to make sure the connection between your pet and the pet sitter is a happy one.
First of all, be sure to contact your pet sitter well in advance, especially during any holiday season. Make sure your pet is as socialized as possible. Your pet should be accustomed to being around strangers. Make sure the ID tags on your pet are current, and be sure your pet has its collar on when you leave. Your pet sitter should request a list of current vaccines for your pet, so have those on hand, as well as access to all veterinarian records. Be sure to leave clear and detailed instructions for the pet sitter. Include contact information for both you and your veterinarian. Leave all the pet supplies in one convenient location, and this includes food, medications, leashes, etc. Make sure extra supplies are available in case you are gone longer than expected. Leave an extra key to your home with a trusted neighbor or friend. Make sure your pet sitter and the friend have each other’s contact information, should an emergency arise. If you have home safety features, such as a security system, make sure your pet sitter knows where they are and how to use them. Before your departure, make sure you have all of your pet sitter’s contact information with you. Then, relax and have fun. If you have a reliable and trustworthy pet sitter like those found at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City, your pet is in good hands!
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