How to Choose The Perfect Pet Sitter
How to Choose The Perfect Pet Sitter
May 29, 2024 | Business, Pet Care, Petsitting
You’re going on a vacation. There’s a business trip scheduled. Family matters call you away.
You’re faced with the daunting decision of hiring someone to care for your beloved pets and home while you’re gone.
Entrusting the care of your furry family members to someone else isn’t easy. This guide is designed to help navigate the process of finding and hiring a QUALIFIED pet sitter that fits YOUR needs. Our goal is for you to have peace of mind that your pets and home are in the best hands possible.
Let’s start with what you need.
What is a Pet Sitter?
In 1997, Pet Sitters International successfully campaigned to have “pet sitting” added to the Random House dictionary as follows:
“the act of caring for a pet in its own home while its owner is away.”
Some pet sitters offer additional service such as limited care in their homes; that is defined as “Boarding.”
Pet Sitting: pet care in pet’s home.
Boarding: pet care in another location.
Caring for the pet in its own home has many benefits. Both pet and owner will experience less stress and trauma, knowing the pet is safe and comfortable in its own environment, keeping to its same schedule. Additionally, exposure to illness is minimized. Having a presence at home also adds to home security.
What kind of care does your pet need?
There are five major considerations:
Species: Dogs need to be let out several times a day; cats may be fine with fewer visits. Dogs tend to be more social, and emotionally require more interaction. Cats tend to be more independent, but there are many that delight in extra attention.
Health: Are there health conditions that require special consideration, or medication? You’ll need a sitter capable and comfortable with administering medication and monitoring symptoms.
Behavior/Temperament: Does your pet require lots of exercise? Is he/she particularly sociable, or happy on their own? Is he/she shy or anxious, or fearful being left alone?
Diet: Is a special diet required, or a schedule that needs to be adhered to?
Age: Younger animals and elderly animals both may require extra attention and care. Energetic youth needs patience; seniors may have health issues and need more rest.
What services are needed?
There are essentially three types of in-home services:
Check Ins are when a sitter stops by the home several times a day to check on, feed, exercise, and give companionship to the pet. They are for a set length of time, and may include dog walks.
Overnight services are when a sitter stays/sleeps in the home overnight. Generally the sitter will arrive at dinnertime and leave after serving breakfast. Clients can also schedule check in visits during the day to supplement this service if needed.
Live In Services are when a pet sitter stays at the client home both day and night, for a set number of hours agreed to by both client and sitter. The sitter comes and goes during the day, staying overnight, providing extra companionship and security.
Where to look for a sitter
Online is a great place to start - simply google “pet sitters near me,” or “dog sitters,” or “cat sitters,” and see what you come up with. Facebook social/community groups, NextDoor, etc, are also places that you can find people placing/answering inquiries for sitters.
Several industry professional organizations, such as Fear Free and Pet Sitters International, offer locating services featuring their members. Platforms such as Rover and Wag connect clients and sitters.
Personal recommendations from friends, neighbors and coworkers are an excellent source. Finally, checking with other pet professionals such as Veterinarians, Groomers and Pet Stores can yield results.
Evaluating A Sitter
The good news, and bad news. There’s lots of pet sitters out there. LOTS. It's one of the more popular "side hustles," as people think it's very easy to do, and cheap to get started.
There is no industry regulation or formal guidelines, so anyone who “loves pets” can call themselves a sitter. Some are very up front in noting that they pet sit as a “side gig,” to “earn extra money.” There are those that pet sit as a casual business. Others treat pet sitting as a profession.
What level of expertise and protection are you seeking in a pet care provider?
Think long and hard about your expectation of care while you’re gone. Consider your pets’ health needs, schedule, routine - how much time needs to be spent with your pet, and what kind of activities? How about your house - are you comfortable with someone who might bring in friends or family to hang out? What about use of alcohol or recreational drugs?
Along with verifiable experience caring for the pets indicated, we consider carrying Insurance and Bonding a bare minimum for a pet sitter. This protects you in case something goes wrong, and protects their pocketbook as well. We consider it an extra guarantee of good care - because who wants to have to file an insurance claim?
Pet First Aid/CPR Training is very important; dogs and cats are animals, and they get themselves into the darndest situations. Training is required to be updated every 2 years.
Use of Contracts/Formal Agreements help define the parameters of care and expectations, cost/terms of the pet sit, and payment. Also, having vet releases in case of injury/health emergencies is very important.
Certifications are becoming more important, and more popular, as the general public realizes the lack of oversight in the industry. Pet Sitters who undergo training and testing are more likely to provide professional level services. The more well-known are Certified Professional Pet Sitter via Pet Sitters International, and Fear Free.
Pet Sitting/Animal Behavior Training is provided by various sources such as Fetch Find and Pet Sitter Professional organizations, with courses ranging from proper dog walk techniques to cat behavior. Who knows that holding a leash a specific way can better control a dog, or how to interpret a cat blink? Sitters who engage in research-based continuing education provide an elevated level of knowledge and support for pets in their care.
Membership in Professional Organizations is as important for pet sitters as it is for members of any other profession. Pet Sitters International, Professional United Pet Sitters, and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters provide education, support, and interaction within the pet sitting community.
Check online for reviews, Social media, and websites. Sitters who have experience, and have invested in their business will generally have at least Facebook/Instagram accounts, and most professionals have Google Business profiles and websites.
Rates and availability. Make sure that the sitter has availability for the services and dates you need. Determine rates and payment methods to make sure you're comfortable with what you're paying for care.
Interviewing Your Choices
It is important to meet potential sitters face-to-face, where both you and your pets have a chance to evaluate them. During your Meet and Greet (initial consultation), make sure to have a list of questions prepared to cover everything that is important to you.
Here are suggestions:
Pet Care Experience - what is the sitter's experience with your specific type of pet.
Training and Qualifications - ask for verification of trainings and certifications, insurance and bonding.
Routine - ask them what their typical pet sitting session looks like.
Backup Plan - do they have a plan in place if they can't make it for a scheduled pet sit?
What are their emergency protocols, for both pet and sitter?
References (and make sure to check them)
Price, payment terms and cancellation/change policies. Agreeing on these now avoids misunderstanding later
What form of communication does the pet sitter use during the schedule? Software? Text? Email? Pictures? How often? Are detailed notes provided during or after the pet sit?
During your meeting, observe the interactions between the pet sitter and your pet(s). Do you feel comfortable with what you see and feel?
Do a home walkthrough, pointing out where pet supplies are kept, etc, and areas that are off limits. Discuss the specifics of home care that is needed, such as lights being turned on or off, collecting mail, etc. Is there a security system? Provide information/key to access the home. Is the sitter allowed to bring anyone with them to the pet sit? Make sure to define the boundaries of home use during the pet sit.
Discuss the pets' routine, feeding times, behavior quirks, preferred activities. Go over any medications and show how/when to administer.
Go over emergency protocols; make sure to provide a local emergency contact who can care for your pets in case you don't make it home, or the pet sitter has an emergency.
Once you've hired your sitter, prepare for the pet sit
Make sure to provide enough supplies. Provide an information packet/list of emergency contacts, vet details/authorization, and other important information where your pet sitter can find it. If your pet sitter uses software, the information will be in your account/profile.
Provide all the "pet comforts" necessary for your sitter to keep your pets' environment and routine the same. Put all supplies/treats/in a defined area - the less time your sitter spends looking for stuff, the more time they can spend with your pet.
Secure your home - Check that all doors, windows, gates, pool gates, are properly secured and that the sitter has all access codes/keys.
Proper Preparation makes a world of difference in a pet sitter's visits.
During and After the Pet Sit
It is crucial to agree upon and maintain good communication during the pet sit - the pet sitter should provide regular updates on how your pet is doing. You should feel comfortable checking in with the sitter, but also respect their time and don't check in excessively.
If your return home is delayed, notify your sitter asap to see if they can extend their services. If not, you will need to enact your backup plan.
Upon your return home, observe your pets' behavior and the state of your home. Are they happy and comfortable, or do they seem stressed? Is your home clean as you left it, or is there any damage?
If all is well, be sure to communicate that to your sitter asap. If not, communicate that to your sitter asap! If there were any problems, discuss how they were handled and what can be improved. A quality sitter will appreciate feedback. Always discuss any issues with a sitter directly!
Make sure to pay your sitter promptly and in full, as agreed. If the sitter went above and beyond, consider giving a gratuity as a token of appreciation. Good reviews are always appreciated!
