Using Your Pet Sitting Service Most Effectively
Once
you have made the decision to enlist the services of a pet sitter, you will
find you have discovered a new friend for your pet and someone who will be of
great help to you. To ensure a successful relationship with your pet sitter,
we suggest you follow these simple guidelines:
Give Us Your Pet's History and Habits
In order to schedule the visits, your sitter will want to know the
important routines in your pet's day -- eating, sleeping, walking or playing.
Your sitter will want to know about all the major and minor health problems
your pet may have (honesty is important here) and detailed information on any
medication as well as your desires in case of emergency. Tell your sitter
where favorite toys are kept or, if your dog is a "chewer", where
the chew toys are. (Also guard against personal items being chewed while you
are away.) Tell your sitter where your pet's favorite hiding places are. This
will prevent panic by the sitter looking for your pet. Your pet sitter needs
to know of any unusual habits your pet may have (such as changes in bowel
movements, eating habits, fears, etc.) Provide some written verification of
up to date vaccinations for your pet (tags on collars are good). Provide
identification tags on all pets, including cats.
Plan Ahead
Call to make your pet sitting reservations as early as possible --
especially for holiday times. If you don't have an extra key to your house,
you will need to have one or two made for your sitter before you go away
(make sure you try it out first). Buy extra food, litter and supplies for
when you will be away and in the event you may stay away longer than you had
anticipated.
Prepare Your Home Before You Leave
Leave some piece of clothing that you have recently worn near where your
pet sleeps to "remind" him or her of you. Leave your vet's phone
number in case of emergency. Move valuables away from windows. Leave the
right sized food and water bowls out for your pet's use and clean the bowls
out before you leave. Leave everything needed for the care of your pet in one
general area so the sitter doesn't have to search for leashes, food cans, and
especially medicine. Inform neighbors who may be looking out for your
property that a pet sitter will be making visits to your home.
Communication is Important
Get the telephone number of the place(s) where you will be staying while
away so that you can leave it with your pet sitter for emergencies. If you
find you will be returning earlier or later than expected, call to inform
your pet sitter as soon as you know. Remember to check the time difference if
you call the sitter with some new instructions after you leave. Please be
considerate of those who have offices in their homes. Call during office
hours unless it's an emergency. Let the sitter know if there are any rooms
that are "off limits" for pets and sitters. If other people might
also be checking on your pet or house, let them and the sitter know who is
responsible for what and when they may be in the house (and let them exchange
telephone numbers). Leave a list of numbers that may be helpful to a sitter
in any emergency: vet, electrician, plumber, yard or pool maintenance, etc.
Tell your sitter where you keep items like the vacuum cleaner, mop, broom,
dustpan, trash bags, etc. in case of spills. Make sure the sitter knows the
location of your fuse box or circuit breaker and where to find new fuses.
Other Services Available
If plants are to be watered, your sitter will want to know where your
plants are located and how often and how much they should be watered. Lights
can be turned on in the evening and off in the morning and curtains can be
opened and closed. Newspapers and mail can be picked up. Tell your sitter
where you would like them to be placed.
