Preparing For Your Pet Sitter

Tips For Being Your Sitter’s Best Client

Initial Consultation:  Whether you need a pet sitter for vacation care or daily dog walking, all pet sitters schedule an initial interview to ensure that all will go smoothly while you are away from your pet.  If your pet is shy with strangers, try not to “force” your pet to like the pet sitter immediately.  Some pets need time to warm up to strangers, and this is only natural.  Time and patience will build a trusting and loving relationship.

The pet sitter will ask for detailed information for things such as food, exercise, overall health, medications, and behavior issues.  Tell your sitter if there are areas off limits to the pet and/or the sitter (i.e. bathrooms) and if possible, close off these areas.  It is vital that the sitter know as much as possible about your pet to ensure that both pet and pet sitter stay safe and happy.  A happy pet means a happy owner! 

Preparation:  Everything necessary to care for your pet should be in one or two general and visible areas.  This includes food, treats, dog/cat bowls, towels, medications, leashes, toys, and cleaning supplies.  Providing adequate food, cat litter and supplies is important in case of a travel delay.

Phone numbers and schedules:  Make certain that your pet sitter is able to contact you in case of an emergency.  If your travel plans change…arriving home earlier or later than planned…please remember to contact your sitter so he or she can adjust their schedule and care for your pets longer if necessary.  If another person will be coming into your home during your absence, such as a cleaning service, please be sure your sitter is aware.

Emergency care:  Notify your veterinarian that you have hired a pet sitter, and that the sitter is authorized to bring your pet to them for care.  Pet sitters also use emergency facilities for off hours such as holidays and weekends.

Your home:  Please instruct the pet sitter as to which lights are on timers or which lights the sitter needs to turn on/off.  If your sitter’s first visit will be after dark, leave adequate lights on so the sitter can see to get into your home and so that your pet will not be startled.  It is also a good idea to notify a neighbor or two that you have hired a pet sitter and the approximate times the sitter will be arriving each day.

Holiday and summer reservations:  The major holidays of Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as “spring break” and summer months are especially busy times for pet sitters.  While each of our network members have their own policies regarding holidays, the best rule of thumb:  reserve visitations early!  It is never too early to call for Christmas pet sitting!

Last but not least:  Relax!  We will love your pets as our own!