Home
While we would all probably like to take our pets everywhere we go, sometimes it’s impossible. If work or travel takes you away from your pet, you have probably considered all the options. When weighing out the choices, here are a few things to consider:
- Pets are happier and experience less stress in their own homes.
- Their diet and exercise routines continue uninterrupted.
- Travel trauma for both you and your pet is eliminated.
- Your pet’s exposure to illness is minimized.
- You don’t have to beg family or friends to care for your pets.
- A professional pet sitter has backup options in case of emergencies or illness.
- A professional pet sitter’s job is to take excellent care of your pet
Picking the perfect pet sitter for your pet is vital, and asking the right questions at the interview/consultation is a major part of that process. Here are a few questions to consider:
- What do you like about being a pet sitter? Starting with an open-ended question like this allows you to assess the sitter’s level of enthusiasm for animals and this type of job. If a person seems animated about this field, it may be something they are doing because they genuinely enjoy it, not just as a way to earn extra cash.
- Will you play with my pet? Will you both get along? Ask for an in-person interview at your home so you can see how your potential pet sitter interacts with your pet. All the training in the world doesn’t matter if your pet doesn’t get along with the person you’re interviewing. Sometimes, pets have an instant adverse reaction to a person. Pets, like people, don’t always mesh with all personalities.
- What is your pet sitting experience? Have they cared for similar types of pets in the past? What did the sitter like and dislike about these experiences? What did they learn from them?
- What services do you provide? Do you want your pet to be groomed while you are gone? Is it important that he spend at least an hour a day playing outside? Do you want a sitter to provide a checklist of what she did with your pet? A pet sitter can do all these things. But you need to find out if your pet sitter will do them.
- Do you have a contract? A contract that lists services and fees is suitable for your peace of mind. Read any contract thoroughly before signing so you know what you’re getting. For example, make sure the pet sitter doesn’t have a clause in her contract that states, “Will feed but will not water.”
- Can you provide references? You want a pet sitter who can prove that they satisfied customers before they got to you. Call the references and ask what their experience with the sitter was like.
- Are you bonded and insured? This would cover many dire contingencies (accidents, negligence, theft of your property, etc.).
Remember that this interview isn’t only about you and your pet. The pet sitter should be asking you as many questions as you ask them. If the candidate doesn’t seem curious about your pet or isn’t asking thoughtful questions, that is a red flag.
Are you ready to hire a professional pet sitter? 417 Pet Sitting has your tails covered. Schedule your free consultation here.