So you've decided you want a regular pet sitter to come over and take care of your pets now that you're traveling on a consistent basis for work. What now? Pet sitting is a growing business and you may be so lucky as to find quite a few in your area. If so, how do you choose? What makes one better than another and how can you tell?
Your best bet is to find a petsitter who comes highly recommended. Start off with asking your friends if they would recommend any one they've used. Ask your friend some pointed questions about their sitter.
Is the pet sitter reliable? Do they show up when they say they're going to, spend the allotted amount of time with the pet, and do what they promised to do? If your friend tells you that they don't always show up at the specified times and sometimes were really late, then you want to pass on that one. You have to be able to trust the person who is going to sit for you.
Does your friend like the pet sitter? If used often, they become a part of the family, sort of like a 2nd cousin once removed. Birthday cards may be exchanged and highlights of family events will be talked about. If your friend is not comfortable with the person she uses, ask why. It might just be differences in personality.
Does your friend's pet truly like the pet sitter? All pets handle the separation from their owner differently, but what you're looking for is a pet who isn't too stressed out when the owner gets home. Some dogs have a hard time no matter what the petsitter does and that's a dog with real separation anxiety issues. But if a normally laid-back dog goes overboard in a tizzy when the owner gets home, or has done damage in the house, then you may wonder if he got proper care.
Has the pet sitter bonded with the pet? It's true that petsitters have many clients and it is a business after all, but the reason they've chosen this business is because they love animals. They should fuss if the pet doesn't seem to be eating well or has problem poo. They should express what a good time they have on their walks, how she gave the dog a special all-over scratching, or how they've missed the pet if they haven't see him in a while, etc. Sitters who have bonded with your precious pets will go the extra mile when something unusual happens.
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