Finding a reliable pet sitter that could perform overnight pet sitting shouldn’t be as difficult as leaving your cherished pet at home while you are away for the day at work or on vacation. As a result, more people are hiring professional sitters to ensure their animals are healthy and happy due to hectic schedules, lengthy commutes, or even a pet suffering from separation anxiety. But choosing a sitter involves many factors.

In addition to caring for essential family members, they also visit your house. Therefore, they ought to be dependable, competent, knowledgeable, and capable of handling emergencies. Additionally, your pet ought to feel at ease around them. If you’re looking for a sitter that meets all of these qualifications, here are some key factors to keep in mind during your search.

Start Online

The internet is a beautiful place to start, including neighborhood and community websites. Professional pet-sitting organizations like Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters mention their members on their websites. You can focus your search by reading online reviews and looking at potential applicants’ Facebook sites.

Get Referrals From Friends or Family

You may have a friend or family member who has utilized a pet-sitting service in the past. They can give you first-hand accounts of their experience, what they liked and didn’t like about the service, and if they would recommend them. If you don’t have anyone to ask, try your vet’s office or the local animal shelter for recommendations. Look for ads on the notice boards at neighborhood shops or your veterinarian’s clinic, then ask prospective babysitters for recommendations. Additionally, you might seek advice from friends, family, and neighbors. Alternatively, get in touch with your veterinarian and nearby humane groups, who may hire staff members who work as part-time pet caregivers. Just remember that individuals with full-time employment could not have the required availability.

Getting Ready for the Interview

Before doing a phone or video interview with prospects, consider your questions. You may learn a lot about someone’s personality and character by talking to them for a long time, so don’t hesitate to do so.

THE BASICS

Please find out how long they have been in business, how much expertise they have with your pets’ species, and what their backup plan is if something stops them from visiting your home.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Ask about their policies on payment, vacation days, cancellations, and what they do if your pet becomes ill while you’re away.

EMERGENCY PLAN

Inquire about what the sitter would do in case of an emergency. For example, find out if they are comfortable handling and administering medication or if they know CPR.

HOUSEHOLD DUTIES

Will the sitter be expected to take out the trash, bring in the mail, water plants, or turn lights on and off?

FEES

Moving forward is pointless if you cannot afford their services. However, you shouldn’t just choose the service with the lowest price; you need a trained expert.

SERVICES

Please inquire about the exact services they provide and whether they are competent to dispense drugs. Do they possess any unique training or credentials? Are they bonded and insured, which may shield you from harm if your dog bites someone else while the sitter and you are out for a walk? It can be helpful to provide a few emergencies to observe how applicants react, such as what they would do if their pet started vomiting or the air conditioner broke on a hot day.

SCHEDULE

Make sure the sitter is available when you’ll be away and that they’re willing to commit to being there for the entirety of that time.

Prepare for the Introductions.

You and your animals should meet the potential pet sitter before scheduling a date. You can do this to learn more about the individual, clarify any individual instructions, and watch how they connect with your pet. To assess how a candidate interacts with your dog, you might even ask them to take your dog on a trial walk.

Don’t forget to request credentials, such as copies of their bonds, licensing, and references. Additionally, you might want to obtain a criminal history check.

Recognize That it Might Not be Successful

Even with the most satisfactory screening, hiring the incorrect individual could still happen. However, you may take a few easy actions to see if the employee is performing their duties.

For instance:

You may want to request regular updates, including text messages, photos, and videos.

Consider using a GPS dog tracker to see where the sitter takes your animal during walks.

Schedule check-ins with the pet sitter so that you can speak with your animals in person.

When You’re Not Home.

Once you have found a sitter, you still need to do some things to prepare for your time away.

You should:

Provide the pet sitter with a list of emergency contacts, such as your veterinarian’s phone number.

Ensure that the sitter knows where you keep essential supplies, such as food, leashes, collars, and toys.

Ensure that the sitter is aware of your pet’s feeding schedule and any medications they are taking.

If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to ask the sitter or call a professional organization, like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), for advice.

When you return home, take some time to speak with the sitter about their experience and ask for feedback on how your animal behaved. If everything goes well, give them a positive review and consider using their services again in the future!

While it’s wise to proceed with caution when working with a new person, remember that most of those who chose pet sitting as a job are animal lovers. A pet sitter has the potential to become a dependable friend over time!

Here at Animal People Pet Sitting & Dog Walking, we understand how important it is to find a qualified, professional pet sitter. We hope this guide has been helpful in your search for the perfect individual to take care of your furry friend while you’re away!