What To Look For in a Pet Sitter

You and your family are planning a vacation but can’t take your pet along? Leaving behind your pet alone is always a difficult decision as you can’t be sure if somebody will take proper care or not. Professional pet sitters are your best bet in such a scenario.

A professional pet sitter is a qualified individual who is paid to take care of your beloved pet while you are away. A pet sitter is more than someone who just gives food and water to your pet. A good pet-sitter is willing to devote sufficient time to your pet, takes him out for exercise and understands how to tell whether your pet requires veterinary attention.

However, before you appoint a pet sitter, you should make sure you are hiring the right person. Just because somebody calls himself a pet sitter, doesn’t necessarily mean he/she is qualified for the job. To search for a pet sitter, first check for the recommendation of your friends, neighbors and veterinarian, dog trainer or humane society. Browse through yellow pages for professional pet sitting services. Before you choose a pet sitter, its important to interview the candidates at your home or over the phone. Here are a few things you should look for when appointing a pet sitter:

- Check whether the pet sitter can furnish a written proof of having commercial liability insurance. This is to safeguard against theft by pet sitter or his employer or any accident caused by him/her during your absence.

- Check whether the pet sitter has completed any professional training.

- Is the pet-sitter associated with any veterinarian who can offer emergency services, if needed?

- Check whether pet sitter is taking notes about the likes, dislikes, eating habits, fears, medical condition, etc, of your pet.

- See how the candidate is interacting with your pet and whether your pet is comfortable in his/her company.

- If pet sitter is not well or can’t come to attend your pet for any reason, does he have any back-up arrangements?

- Does the pet-sitter offer extra services such as pet grooming, taking pet out for a walk, dog training or play time?

- Check whether the pet sitter will provide a service contract specifying fees and services?

- What are the timings when the pet sitter will visit your pet at home? Would this information be mentioned in the contract?

- Is your pet sitter willing to provide you a few client phone numbers for reference check?

Apart from the above questions, use your prospective to judge how comfortable the pet sitter is with your pet and vice-versa. Also, try and understand from the interaction if you find him/her to be a genuine person. A little time spent in this exercise would go a long way in ensuring that your beloved pet is in safe hands when you are not present at home.