Pet Sitting

You’ve found that perfect vacation; you’ve booked the tickets, and you’ve given the hotel your credit card. Now, what to do with your pet? Most casual pet owners opt for the easy way out and simply board their pets with a convenient vet and pay from $15 to $30 a night for the kennel. This practice is not without its risks, however. Kennel cough is the least of your worries. Most animals’ lives revolve around routine and familiar places and events. The kennel or vet’s office can cause confusion for your dog or cat as their daily routine is disturbed by the schedule of the boarding facility. Your animal may return home disoriented or ‘not himself’. There might be a better way to take care of your pet while you enjoy your vacation. The answer? Pet sitting. For about the same money you’d pay to board an animal, a pet sitter can stay at your home while you’re away, watching both your house and your pets. Most sitters love animals and this love is evident when they come in contact with any animal. Here is a list of things to consider when you go ‘shopping’ for someone to stay with your animals: 1.) Does this person have a client list? Can you contact another client? This information will go far in determining whether or not you feel comfortable having this person in your home and taking care of your special animal. 2.) How often will the person be at your home? Some pet sitters will agree to not actually stay at your house, but come by often enough to make sure your pet gets plenty of food, water, and potty breaks. Plus, the sitter can get the mail and change the lighting in the house to make it appear that someone is home. 3.) Bring the prospective sitter to your house to meet your animal. How does the animal react to the sitter? The old adage is true: You can trust the reactions of animals and children! 4.) Is the sitter licensed/bonded? This will help to insure that you’ve found someone who takes the job seriously. 5.) Ask the sitter why he or she does the job? The answer may help you decide if you feel you can trust this person. 6.) The best way to find a sitter is word of mouth; ask your other pet-owning friends if they know of someone they can recommend. These tips can help you begin your search to find someone who can take care of those precious animal friends while you are on your trip. The perfect trip can be spoiled if you’re worried about your pet in the kennel. A pet sitter can not only take good care of your pet, but you can also enjoy your vacation knowing that your loved one is in good hands