Do you feel like you can’t travel or commit to plans because you have pets at home? Leaving your dog or cat at home for extended periods of time while you’re traveling can be trying for both you and your pet. You don’t want to inconvenience your friends or family members by asking them to care for your pet while you’re gone. You could board her at the vet, but that is also stressful for her. And you worry about the exposure to the other animals that are sick. An in-home pet sitter seems like the perfect solution. However, you may not know how to go about finding one.
Also note that without you being home to feed your pet, you can use automatic dog feeder, they are a good quality option. automatic dog feeders can provide the advantageous highlights of providing a solution to the problem of not being able to feed your dog when you are not at home – with features such as an automatic timer that dispenses food at predetermined intervals and the ability to hold several meals.
There are several things to consider when shopping for a pet sitter. First and foremost is trust. Who do you trust to watch your furry, feathered and scaly beloveds? With trust, comes peace of mind and comfort in knowing you can rely on that special someone to take care of your pets and home as you have requested.
The following suggestions are designed to help you find a safe and reliable pet sitter.
- Ask friends or veterinarian for a pet sitter referral.
Even if you are new in a neighborhood, or don’t know your neighbors well, it’s pretty easy to identify people who value their pet. Ask several neighbors for recommendations. Try to find a little bit of your neighbor’s pet and their pet sitter experience. This will give you a good indication as to the level of care you can expect from the people they recommend.
- International Locator on the Pet Sitters International website
When you submit your zip code or your country on the site, you will get a list of pet care providers in your area. You can also specify the kind of pet you need care for and the types of service you are looking for.
- Research your pet sitter.
As you call potential pet sitters ask them the type of animals they like to work with, how long they’ve been in business, how they got started in the firm, and specific questions about your pet’s needs.
- Make sure that the sitter is insured
If anything should happen while you are away, such as your dog getting loose and biting someone, you need to know that you will be covered.
- Meet your pet sitter.
Several weeks before your trip, have the pet sitter stop by so she can be introduced to your animals. Watch how they are with your pets. Are they gentle, and non-invasive? If you have any negative feelings or thoughts, do not give them a key-trust your instincts.
When you find someone, you should provide them with a house key so that they can access your pets while you are away. You should also provide them with contact information, alarm codes if needed, and emergency information. If your pet has medication or special needs, you should inform your pet sitter about these things in full.
