Care to Your Dog! » Sitter

A pet sitter Video – Learn How To Interview A Sitter!

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:30:10 +0000

It can be stressful planning a trip, and as for lining up a pet caretaker video online many families and individuals don’t really know how to track down a good match for their pet. What to do – scour postings about pet sitters, computer message boards, or should they enlist the services of a pet-sitting firm? Can anyone be sure of an unknown sitter’s abilities and whether this sitter is the right person for the job? An easy method (and one that’s proven reliable) for finding someone you can trust is to request the aid of a placement service which has the resources to find you the best person for the job.

If you wish to find a petsitter video – click here!

Before starting the search for a pet caregiver video, be sure you know yourself what the specific duties are as well as what you expect from your sitter. You should include questions such as, how much previous pet-sitting experience does this person have? Is he or she capable of walking/exercising your pet? Is your pet a “senior citizen”? Are you looking for someone who will look after your home as well as your pet? Write a sample contract for your pet-sitter to sign which describes all of the requirements that your pet-sitter will perform.

Following the creation of your list of duties and expectations, now you should choose the best and most efficient tools to locate just the right person to help. One of the easiest ways is to enroll with an online sitter placement agency. This kind of firm takes pride in providing online tools to access many reliable and conveniently-located pet sitters who are looking for a job caring for your pet.

To find a pet caretaker video in your locale, you can simply start with an internet search on the topic – enter the necessary criteria to search for: your locale (city, state and zip code), and the exact type of pet sitter you want to find. Out of the results which are now there for you, you decide upon the ones that might turn out the most compatible with your needs. Weigh the experience level and references of the pet sitters and make a choice among the options as to who can fit the detailed job description you came up with.

Expert client/provider matching companies will normally supply these and other functions: the opportunity to scan their database of sitters, and a glimpse of the sitter through their online description (photograph, basic information about them, previous experience, etc.). Often there is the option of a free “test run,” though in most cases these are limited time-wise, sign up as soon as you can in order to examine the quality of service which is offered.

Why Choosing a Trust Worthy Pet Sitter is Essential

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:23:28 +0000

These days the cost of travelling is far less than it used to be. In fact more and more of us are taking advantage of all these low air flight prices and package deals and are now going away on vacation several times a year for long vacations and mini weekend breaks. This is great for us but what about our pets?

Pet ownership is increasing every year and this means that there are more animals out there that require looking after while we are away on vacation. Of course there are several options open to the pet owner, you could pay out for kennelling or you could ask a neighbour or family member. Both of these options are acceptable if you are in the position to pay the kennelling fees or have very good relationships with your neighbours. But if not, then there is another option, Pet Sitters.

Pet sitting offers many benefits over kennelling and asking friends and not just for you but also for your pet. Here are just a few of them:

Your pet will feel happier remaining in their home environment.

Your pet will have structure to their day and receive regular human contact and care.

The sitter will know what to do in and emergency and be able to give any existing regular medications.

The costs involved are far less than kennelling.

There is no need for your pet to travel anywhere, often a cause for stress.

You will not feel as if you are imposing on your friends.

Your home will be regularly visited while you are away.

Of course ensuring that you hire a pet sitter that you can trust is not as easy as it first sounds. There are many people advertising themselves as pet sitters who have no formal qualifications or experience and who may have other motives for wanting to access your home. The best way to find a trust worthy pet sitter is via a recommendation either from friends and neighbours or from another animal professional such as a vet or groomer.

There are also some specialist companies set up who act as agents for pet sitters who monitor and regulate their Sitters regularly. They can also provide a backup sitter if your regular sitter is unable to attend your pet due to unforeseen circumstances. This may add to your piece of mind.

Before you hire someone to look after your pet while you are away it is important that you meet up with them to ask them questions about their experience, qualifications and to see how your pet reacts to them and visa versa. This will help you make your final decision.

Once you have hired your pet sitter a written agreement should be made between you both highlighting what services your sitter will carry out and how often and the costs involved. It should also include details of your pets likes and dislikes, there eating habits and routine, any medications which need to be given etc. You should also show your sitter where everything they will need is kept in the house, like cleaning equipment, the food and litter and the pet’s toys and bedding. You should also provide your sitter will full contact details for yourself, a neighbour, a nearby relative and the local vets, along with a copy of your pets medical papers and record of vaccinations.

To ensure that everything will run smoothly and that your pet will be properly looked after and not feel stressed while you are away there are a few last minute things you will need to do.

Make sure you have supplied enough food and litter for the sitter and have left it in a convenient place.

Make sure doors are closed to rooms you do not whish your pet to enter.

Make sure a small light is left on or is timed to come on for the comfort of your pet.

Ensure that familiar toys are left available for your pet while they are on their own.

Leave a few items of your clothing lying around, the familiar smell will reassure your pet.

Inform a neighbour that a pet sitter will be visiting your home and leave a spare key with them and your contact details in case of emergencies.

With all of this in place, your vacation should be a happy and relaxing experience for both you and your pet.

Finding a Pet Sitter Can be a Daunting Task

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:23:23 +0000

Type in the phrase “pet sitter” in any search engine box and you will find over one million websites! Quite overwhelming when you are trying to find a pet sitter before you go out of town. And to make matters worse, 99% of those pet sitters are probably not in your area.

There is an alternative to finding a pet sitter, however. That’s by using an online pet sitter directory. They are easy to navigate and nearly all are free to use when you are searching for a pet sitter.

One free, and easy-to-use directory is called Find Me A Pet Sitter (http://www.findmeapetsitter.com). On the home page one simply types in either their zip code or city/state and the results will display pet sitters in their area. The pet sitter’s listing can then be clicked on to display more information, such as: a brief description of their services, their contact information, cities and towns they serve, and what sort of services they provide.

Most pet sitter directories are free, but a few may require you to register with their site first before you can search for pet sitters. And, some charge a fee for their referral service.

Keep in mind, not all areas have pet sitters listed. You may need to contact the administrator of the website and ask them if they can help you locate a pet sitter in your area.

Finally, any pet sitter you hire should be reputable within their community, have liability insurance, and in some cases, may be required to carry a bond or be licensed.

Pet Sitter Directories:

http://www.findmeapetsitter.com

http://www.petsit.coM

http://www.petsitters.org

How to Hire a Good Pet Sitter

admin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:23:17 +0000

If you have pets, you know that leaving them behind while you go on vacation can be stressful. You can minimize that anxiety by hiring a good pet sitter. This article has some advice to make the process easier.

Start by asking your vet if they recommend anyone. Pet-owning friends may also have names for you. There may be people who do it occasionally, like I do, just not as a business. Some pet sitters will advertise in the yellow pages or newspapers. Most will leave flyers or business cards with veterinarians.

There are professional Pet Sitter organizations that have websites. Some of them offer a search feature, but remember that only their members will be listed. Some smaller towns may not have local professional pet sitters.

Keep your expectations realistic. Normally, a pet sitter will feed the animals, let them out or walk them, change litter boxes and do whatever else is needed to care for the animal. They will spend an average of thirty minutes for each visit. They might even pick up your mail and water your plants.

There is usually an extra charge for additional visits during the day. Some sitters may be willing to spend the night – something you may desire if you have older or sick animals.

Make sure the pet sitter will come and meet the animals before you hire her. It is important that both the animal and the sitter be comfortable with each other.

Be sure to plan well in advance, as pet sitters are usually in heavy demand. You should ask for the pet sitter’s fees and policies in writing, so you know exactly what to expect. I would suggest getting references; a trustworthy businessperson will have these readily available.

Ask what other kinds of animal experience the person has. Someone with veterinary experience, such as a technician, is a good choice for special needs pets. A dog trainer, or someone who has trained a few animals will know how to handle dogs with behavioral issues. A pet groomer will have experience handling both dogs and cats in stressful situations.

Pet sitters are not required to have any special licensing, but those who have gone to the trouble of acquiring accreditation from one of the pet sitter organizations show a high degree of professionalism in my opinion. They will have been required to take a course that usually includes business management, animal care and animal health instruction. Accredited pet sitters will therefore likely have more diverse knowledge and experience than someone who has not been through the course. Once you have found the right sitter for you, be sure to give and get all the information you both will need.

You will want to leave phone numbers for where you can be reached, as well as a friend or neighbor who might be able to answer questions or help out in emergencies. Provide the sitter with the name, address and phone number of your veterinarian, and leave a signed letter giving permission for necessary medical procedures to be preformed. Additionally, make sure you have a way to reach the sitter at all times, in case something comes up.

Be sure to tell the pet sitter of any special behavioral problems or quirks. If your dog is afraid of people in hats, say, the sitter will not make the mistake of wearing her rain hat indoors! Point out where all the supplies are; food, dishes, toys, beds, etc. Tell the pet sitter your rules on treats, how much you feed, how often and when. If you can put everything the pet sitter may need in one central location, so much the better.

If your pet needs to be fed at certain times, or takes medicine on a schedule, you will want to be sure that the pet sitter can accommodate your needs.

Be sure your pet sitter is bonded and insured. Don’t forget, she will have the keys to your home. Also, make arrangements for payment and the return of your keys.

It is a good idea to have a contingency plan in place in the event that your return is delayed. Arrange for the sitter to call, or for you to call her at a specific time on the date of your return.

The pet sitter should also have a backup plan in case he or she is unable to attend to your pets for some reason. If not, you had better make a backup plan of your own.

Leaving the pets behind can add unnecessary stress to your trip. Knowing that you have hired an experienced pet sitter, and that you have provided her with everything she needs to do the job right can help ease that stress.

How to Hire a Pet Sitter You Can Trust

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:23:19 +0000

More and more people are turning to a pet sitter rather than boarding their animals when leaving home. Unfortunately, pet owners are having bad experiences with kennels and pet daycares because of viruses, cleanliness, and overall care of the animals. Pet sitting provides a quieter and calmer environment for your pet because it is in the safety of your own home. There is some risk in using a pet sitter just like trusting a boarding company or vet clinic in taking care of your pet; however, once you find the right pet sitter you and your animal will be much happier. Here are some tips on how to find the right pet sitter for you and your pet:

Make Sure the Pet Sitter Is Insured & Bonded

Make sure your pet sitter is insured. You may ask for proof of insurance if they do not offer it up front. Pet sitter insurance is fairly inexpensive and not hard to get, so professional pet sitters should always have this safety, no excuses. If you are interviewing a pet sitter that does not have insurance, keep looking!

Look For Recommendations

When you are looking for a pet sitter, ask around. Ask your neighbors, friends, and family if they have used a pet sitter before and who they might have used. You always feel more comfortable when a pet sitter gets recommended to you.

Ask For References & Call Them

When interviewing potential pet sitters, ask for references. If your pet sitter knows better, they should offer them up front without you having to ask, however, they may forget, so it is still safe to ask. Don’t hesitate to call the references and ask them questions. Ask them how they know them and if they were pleased with the pet sitting service. Ask any questions you like.

Ask Plenty of Questions

Not only should you question the pet sitter’s references, you should question the pet sitter. Ask them questions about how they would deal with certain pet situations, such as a medical emergency. Ask about their knowledge of animals and past experiences. Also, ask any questions that would make you feel more comfortable in making a decision. Example questions: Have you as a pet sitter ever had emergency situations with a client’s pet. If so, how did you deal with it? Another example question, do you have any employees? If so, are they reliable and insured? What is your backup process for when you cannot complete your pet sitting duties?

Take all the time you need. I suggest you start looking for a pet sitter way ahead of time so that you may find someone you trust to take care of your pet like you would. And find someone within your price range. Pet sitting services are not that expensive. Daily visits range around $12-$20 while dog walks are anywhere between $15 and $20. You should feel absolutely comfortable in your finding the right pet sitter for you and for the right price.

Could You be a Pet Sitter ?

admin — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:26:15 +0000

In order to be a pet sitter, you really need to have a good understanding of what types of situations you can handle regarding the care of someone else’s pet, and those that you cannot.

There are a variety of ways that pet sitters will care for someone else’s pet. Sometimes they will visit a few times a day, staying about 30 minutes while they care for the pets basic needs. Other pet sitters will stay overnight.

Regardless of how the pets are cared for, it’s important to be aware that pet sitting does not always go as well as planned.

Most people may think it’s easy to be a pet sitter. After all, the only thing you have to do is make sure the dog or cat or other pets have fresh water and receive their daily food allotment and if needed take them outside to relieve themselves a few times during the day.

Yes, it’s true, the life of the pet sitter does seem rather easy. Yet, there are situations that a pet sitter needs to be aware of that could actually become very dangerous.

Sometimes having to care for dogs, especially outside dogs, can become very dangerous because outside dogs can be very territorial. Most owners know their dogs well enough to know whether there is any danger for the person who may need to come into their home to take care of their pets when there away.

This is not where the problem is. The real problem comes in when the pet sitter is required to take care of the dogs by entering their yard to provide them with food and water. This is where the pet sitter needs to have extra caution. Before accepting a job where you must deal with outside dogs, you need to make sure they are well behaved and well socialized.

If there is more than one dog, and you enter their yard, the situation could become very dangerous. If you become fearful and the dogs sense that you don’t belong there, they could see you as a threat and even decide to attack.

Trying to cope with a nervous dog, or worse, several nervous dogs can become a pretty scary situation.

Always stress to the owners that it is important for them to be honest with you and tell you how well socialized their dogs are. You may want to ask if any of their dogs have any tendency to be aggressive. Do they jump up on people? Do they get nervous when someone enters the yard? Do they have any problem with strangers coming into their territory?

With some of the larger breeds, you may want to have a test run when the owner is hidden away from the house, yet close enough to help out if needed. You can test to see how the dogs will react when you enter their territory while they think the owner is away.

Before you enter the yard, you need to take note of how the dogs behave. Do they seem nervous or anxious? Or are they thrilled to have a visitor? If your gut tells you it’s not safe, you should not to accept that job.

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Pet sitters really need to understand that it’s not always a good idea to take every job. Before taking on any pet sitting job, make sure you meet with both the pets and the owners. Ask questions about how well the dogs behave, what types of problems the owner may have or have had in the past.

This is not only the time for the pet owners to interview you, it’s your time to interview them as well. Never accept a pet sitting job if you do not feel comfortable with the pets or the owners.

Most times pet sitting is truly a great job to have. Just remember that all jobs are not for all pet sitters. Sometimes it’s best to say no.

Consider A Home Pet Sitter Instead Of A Kennels

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:26:19 +0000

Pet sitting is a great thing for you when you are going away or aren’t able to be there to take care of your pet for a short time. Instead of a kennel, you may want to consider having them taken care of by a sitter in your own home. While there are many benefits to pet sitting, there are some drawbacks.
The number one thing that most owners are complaining about with pet sitting is how much is costs. Pet care givers often ask for a lot of money to take care of your pets while you are away. Sometimes they can bill over 30 dollars per day. Although the cost depends largely on the services provided and the type of animal that you have, quite often the benefits can outweigh the costs. Here are some things to consider when looking to get a pet sitter.
No matter how you slice it, if you are having your pet looked after in your own home, your pet sitter will have your house keys to take care of the pet when you are away. Although most pet sitters are fully professional, there is always a chance that your personal items can disappear. If it’s one of your concerns, take the time to find out about the sitter in advance, and get background checks. Also, a little prevention never hurt. Take your obvious small valuables and store them in a safe place.
One of the most annoying problems is a pet home service that does not take adequate care of your pet. You have to be a good judge of character. In some cases, pet providers have been caught mistreating animals, but this is rare. Again, be sure to interview all the potential care givers carefully before you hire someone to care for your pets.
Although leaving your pet in good hands while you are away, make sure to select someone who comes highly recommended. Take the time up front to meet with your sitter in advance and plan out the trip, and take the time to get to know your sitter. When it comes to your home and your pet, you can never be too sure or be too prepared.
While there are many disadvantages of pet meeting, there are also many advantages. To determine whether the pet sitter is right for you, consider carefully all their options. In most cases, pet professionals who come into your home, are very useful. There is no reason to let you pet suffer in a kennel while you’re away, you still want to make sure that they are happy and well cared for until you return.

Care to Your Dog! » Sitter

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