Our Pet Sitter hiring guide is made of several parts:
General guide to hiring a professional pet sitter or dog walker
Interviewing and selecting a pet sitter is
an important decision for you and your pet. We recommend contacting
several pet sitters in your area and comparing them to see who would be
the best fit for you and your pets needs. Our printable hiring sheet can
help with that. Most pet sitters offer
a person to person meeting at your home. Pet sitters should
be able to provide you with references and proof of commercial liability
insurance. They should also provide proof of bonding of staff if they
have employees. Bonding is not necessary if the business does not have
employees because all liability falls upon the business owner or owners.
Most pet sitters are small operations and when back up is needed, they
often use sub-contractors that carry their own commercial liability
insurance.
A good pet sitter should have knowledge on animal care
and should have experience with the type of pets they will be caring
for. They should conduct themselves as a professional, and he/she should
take down your pet's care and home needs in writing. A pet sitter should
also get from you written permission to seek veterinary care for your
pet if needed. These are signs of a good, well-prepared pet sitter.
A good question to ask during at first consultation with a pet sitter is
what they do if they experience illness or car trouble. What is their
back up plan to make sure your pet is cared for if such an event should
occur? Giving your pet sitter a
phone number of a close neighbor or maybe a relative who could make
decisions about your home or your pets if the pet sitter was unable to contact you is good planning
and important for your pet's safety.
You should also ask the pet sitter if they will record daily notes of
their visits to your pet, things like your pet's behavior, condition,
and their care routine while you are away. Such notes will help you to
know what services have been provided and how your pet reacted while you
were gone.
Service rates and extra fees should be discussed
before services take place. Prices and services do vary from business to
business. The number of visits to your home usually depends on how many
visits you request of your sitter. Most pet sitters offer up to four visits a day,
and some pet sitters offer overnight services. Most pet sitters require
payment up front before services are rendered, while others may just
leave an invoice on a final service visit. Either way, determine this in
the beginning and pay promptly, an unpaid pet sitter is the quickest and
surest way to be without a pet sitter. Once you find a good pet sitter,
you will find they are well worth keeping.
Coming home to a happy, content and relaxed pet is one of the many
benefits you will find with having a reliable pet sitter. You will also
enjoy the convenience of pet care being just a phone call away, and the
comfort of knowing that your pet will be cared for at home where your
pet is most familiar and relaxed. Take the time, ask the questions, and
surely you will find the right pet sitter for you and your pet.
Preparing your
pets and your home
The best thing you can do to prepare your pets for your
absence is to well inform your pet care provider of all the details of
your pet's needs. Very importantly, pet proof your home, pick up things
like stockings and other things that could be harmful if ingested. This
means all chemicals in areas where your pets have access should be put
away. It is also a good idea to unplug unused appliances to avoid a fire
or even electrical shock to pets. It is also better not to give your
pets things that might be choking hazards during your absence. If your
pet needs chew toys, pick ones that are too large to swallow. Even
tennis balls have been found to cause choking. Also, if you have a
destructive animal, inform your pet care provider of your pet's
behaviors and do what ever necessary preventative measures to ensure
that your valuables are safe from your pet. If you have valuables in
windows, it is a good idea to take them down before a trip as pets will
sometimes knock things down when trying to look out windows.
Secure your pets, make sure your pets are inside when you leave. Pets
left in yards or kennels should also be checked and secured before you
leave. Yards should also be cleared of any pet hazards. Be sure to check
fence perimeters for holes, and other damage. Make sure gates are
secured and we recommend locks on the gates while you are gone. Some pet
sitters may not allow pets to have outdoor access when they are not
there.
Keeping all your pet supplies in one location helps a pet sitter know
where things are. If you end up moving pet supplies, be sure to leave a
note for your pet sitter as to where you have moved them. You should
make sure your pet sitter has enough pet food and supplies to service
your pets for the duration of your trip.
In addition, it is always a good idea to inform a close neighbor or
relative that the pet sitter may need to contact them in an emergency.
Printable Hiring Sheet
http://www.michiganpetsitters.com/petsitterhiringquestions.pdf
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