Finding the right pet sitter for your furry, scaly or feathery friend will ensure that your pet is comfortable and stress-free while you’re away.
Here are some steps to follow to guide you to finding their right pet sitter for your pet.
1. Give yourself time: Post your position well in advance of the sit period, if possible, to give you time to gather applications and review their experience and references
2. Be specific: Be specific about your pet sitting requirements to make sure you attract the right sitter. Mention routines and medication requirements, if relevant, to let the sitter know what to expect
3. Do your research: Many house and pet sitters come with testimonials, police checks and references. Take some time to contact references and read through testimonials to give you an idea of what to expect from your pet sitter
4. Make a call: Offer to speak with your prospective house and pet sitters over the phone to scope out their experience and availability
5. Meet and greet: Offer to have your pet sitter arrive a few days earlier to meet your pet and get used to their routine and unique characteristics. Your pet will feel safe knowing that you are around with the sitter while they adjust to each other and will ensure that your pet is comfortable with their sitter before you leave
6. Prepare a list: Give your pet sitter as much information as possible. Let them know of your pet’s routine, their feeding and exercise habits and any medical details that they may need to know
7. Contact List: Make sure your pet sitter has a list of contacts for your pet’s vet, their food types if more food needs to be purchased and emergency contacts for home issues, should they arise
8. Keep up supplies: Make sure that you have enough pet food and supplies for the time that you are away. Give your pet sitter instructions about food or medication to purchase should they run out
9. Keep up contact: Request that your pet sitter provide regular updates about your pet’s progress via Skype, social media or text message
10. Have a de-brief: You may like to request that your pet sitter stay at least one day after your return home to give you an overview of how your pet fared during their time away from you
By arming your pet sitter with information and making sure that your pet is comfortable with the sitter before you leave, you will have greater peace of mind before you leave and your pet will have an enjoyable time as well.