How to Choose a Pet Sitter© Karen Commings
If you need a sitter, it’s a good idea to begin the interview process as early
as 6-8 weeks ahead of your scheduled vacation. Sitters get booked up like
kennels do and can only visit a certain number of pets per day. Usually this
varies from sitter to sitter.
Set up an interview, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You are giving
someone the key to your home, so trust is important. A reliable, professional
sitter should be bonded and carry liability insurance and be willing to talk to
you. The sitter should provide you with references and a signed service
contract. If they don’t, go elsewhere. And, don’t feel obligated to go with the
first person you meet. Some folks click and some don’t, so allow enough time to
interview more than one candidate.
Here are some questions to ask:
Is the sitter bonded?Does sitter have liability insurance?
Does the sitter provide a contract outlining what is to be done?
Is the sitter knowledgeable about (cats, dogs, birds, iguanas, fish, etc.)?
Will the sitter know if something is wrong with the pet or even with the house? (E.g. no urine in the litter box or smoke alarms beeping)?
Does the sitter have knowledge about pet first aid?
Does the sitter socialize the animal (when appropriate)? (e.g. a scaredy cat or old dog may not want to be “socialized” and prefer just to snooze or hide).
Does the sitter provide references?
Does she meet with the client beforehand to go over the job (this is usually free of charge)?
Does the sitter sweep up around the litter box and scoop it every visit?
Does the sitter pick up pet poop?
Does the sitter clean bird cages and sweep around them?
Does the sitter clean food bowls and wipe up the pet’s eating place and the counters? Rinse out the empty food cans?
Does the sitter present a professional appearance and demeanor?
Does she get pertinent information about the pet’s veterinarian, where client will be and how to contact plus the names of local contacts in the event of an emergency?
Does the sitter have contingency plans and backup if she/he has an emergency?
How long does the sitter stay at the house for a visit?
What extras will the sitter do? Most will bring in the mail, newspaper, rotate lights, water plants, take out the trash, etc. E.g., in the summer, I will water flower beds but charge extra if it’s time consuming.
If you have a dog who needs to be walked early or late, ask when the first visit will be and the last in the evening. For example, I stop between 8-9 at night because I get up at 4AM. I’ve had folks ask for 11PM visits, but I just can’t do it. Other sitters may.
Sitters charge by the visit, so ask the sitter’s rates? Some charge extra for holidays, too.
How many times will the sitter come to the home each day? Some dogs need 4 visits while others only two.
Is the sitter a member of a professional pet sitting organization?
How long has the sitter been in business?
Sometimes the sitter may have questions for you, so be frank. Nothing can be
more disheartening for a sitter than expecting a pet to behave one way after
talking to a prospective client on the phone only to find a different kind of
animal when she arrives for the initial visit. One sitter may be able to handle
a large dog that pulls while another one may not, for example. So, be up-front
about any issues your pet may have so as not to waste your time and the
sitter’s.
If you spend some time interviewing potential sitters, you’ll have a more
relaxing trip and a relaxed pet to come home to.
In Memoriam
Marko passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2008
after a long illness. Marko's owner found him as a kitten near St. Mark's
church in Harrisburg, hence the name. She lived with Marko 16.5 years, and I
cared for him while she was away for nearly ten of those years. Marko was a
sweetheart, and I spent most of our visits sitting with him while he drank
from the bathroom faucet. I miss him always.