When it comes to being a pet parent, going on vacations or weekend getaways can’t happen until you find someone to care for your pets. Not only do you have to find a babysitter for your kids, but you also have to find a pet-sitter that is reliable and trustworthy for your furry friend(s).
Your pets are your babies too, make sure they are kept with a safe sitter who will care for them and give them the attention they need while you’re away. Here are some things to look for when hiring a pet sitter:
Do They Have Experience?
The first thing you will want to make sure of is that this person has prior experience pet-sitting. Especially if you have an anxious pet, or one that needs cared for differently than normal.
You don’t want someone who isn’t knowledgeable with your type of pet, or someone who’s going to lose control if an accident of some sort occurs. You want someone who has a clear understanding of what to do to keep your pet safe in any given situation.
Do They Connect With Your Pet?
Another thing to look for is how well this person connects with your pet. Will your pet feel safe with them while you’re away? Does your pet seem fond of this person, or do they seem timid?
You want your pet to still feel taken care of and loved while you’re away, if they don’t connect well with the sitter chances are your pet will have a very nerve wracking time waiting for you to come back.
Your pet should enjoy being around this person and respect them enough to listen to their commands if need be.
Will They Meet You?
If you don’t have friends/family that are willing or fit your needs as a pet-sitter, you may have to look online to find one. This can be a little scary, but there are many people who love pets and do this for a living.
If you need to look online and find someone you think is a good match, always ask them to meet you and your pet in person. If they say yes, there is a good chance they are serious about working with you and your pet. If however, they say no… that could be a good indicator to stay away from them. If they aren’t willing to make sure they connect well with your pet, they probably aren’t a good option to choose as your pet-sitter.
Always do your research on the possible pet-sitter, make sure they are reliable and trustworthy to work with! Will they keep in touch while you’re away? Will they follow the rules you give for the caring of your pet? Will they give your pet the attention they need? These are some questions you should ask yourself when deciding on a sitter.
Do They Have a Veterinarian?
This is an important aspect when choosing a pet-sitter. Do they have a vet, or know how to get in contact with the local vet? Do they have your vet’s number, and do they know when to contact the vet in a given situation?
You never know when an emergency could come up and your pet will need to go see a professional. If the pet-sitter isn’t prepared with the vet’s number or doesn’t know how to contact them, this could be a problem. Emergency numbers and the vet’s information should be well known and kept in sight.
Conclusion
Choosing a pet-sitter is just as important as choosing a babysitter. Pets are part of the family too, they should be treated like it.
While you are on vacation or a weekend getaway, your pet should feel safe at home and be left with someone who cares for them. Someone who knows what to do in emergencies and connects well with them.
Overall, it should be a great relaxing time for you and your pet!
