How to Select the Right Pet Sitter for your Pet?

You will want to learn all that you can about a prospective pet sitter since you will be entrusting both your home and your beloved pet to their care. Before selecting a pet sitter, interview the candidate(s) in person at your home. Closely observe your pet and the pet sitter interacting while you are present. Here is a list of questions to help you to determine a pet sitter’s qualification and the services provided to care for your pet in your absence:

* First and foremost, does your pet interact positively with the pet sitter during the initial visit? Does your pet allow the pet sitter to handle him?

* Does the pet sitter have verifiable client references?

* Does the pet sitter take notes about your pets’ needs including likes, dislikes, location of food, toys, cat litter, can openers, medical conditions, medications, and routines?

* Does the pet sitter have any additional animal experience or training such as animal first aid, experience in a veterinary office, or rescue group?

* Is the pet sitter associated with a veterinarian who can provide emergency services?

* Does the pet sitter have backup in the case of car trouble or illness?

* Does the pet sitter provide added or related services that meet you and your pet’s needs? These might include services such as multiple visits per day, in-home grooming, overnight service, plant watering, mail pick-up, dog training, and extra play time or walks.

* Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract spelling out your chosen services and all fees?

* Will the pet sitter provide you with a written “report card” of their visits with your animals?

* Will the pet sitter provide written proof of a commercial liability insurance policy to cover accidents and negligence and bonding to protect against theft by the pet sitter or employees of the pet sitting service?