When faced with finding care for a companion animal that must be left alone for a lengthy period of time, there are many aspects to consider. The following information may help clients who are contemplating hiring a caregiver for their pet.

Benefits of Hiring a Pet Sitter

When pet sitters enter a home their tasks often include filling up water bowls and scooping out the litter boxes. However, most pet sitters are not just hired for their time, but also for the attention they can provide to a pet. Additional care may be offered through services such as the following:

• Walking energetic animals
• Engaging pets in their favorite play activities
• Providing bathroom walk breaks
• Following feeding schedules
• Administering health needs.

The use of a pet sitter also provides benefits that go beyond the assigned tasks. For example, a pet benefits through:

• Remaining at home, in a comfortable familiar environment
• Maintaining routine for diet, walking, exercise, and play
• Eliminating the stress that can be caused by traveling or by being boarded in a kennel
• Reduced boredom levels.

Additionally, establishing a pet sitter relationship may help owners to feel better about being away from home since they know their pet is being cared for, happy, and safe.

How to Begin

Starting the search for a pet sitter should begin by asking for recommendations from:

• Family
• Friends
• Veterinarians
• Groomers
• Dog Trainers.

If further suggestions are needed, clients can look for pet sitter services advertised online or within the Yellow Pages.

Initial Communication

Advise clients to begin their search for a pet sitter by gathering information on their qualifications and on the services they provide. 
When talking with prospective caregivers, clients should direct their focus on obtaining information from the answers to questions such as the following:

• What services do they offer? For example: grooming, walking, training, exercising, playing, cleaning up after pet, taking pet to appointments, taking pet to veterinarian if it gets sick, live-in services?
• Will they provide a written contract that explicitly identifies responsibilities, services, and fees charged?
• Do they carry commercial liability insurance that covers accidents and negligence? Can they provide written proof? Are they bonded? Can they provide proof?
• What training do they have for this position? For example: CPR, First Aid?
• What is the back-up plan established for continuing the care of your pet in case the sitter becomes ill, has car trouble, or has other difficulties that keep them from their responsibilities? How do you interview this person? What are their qualifications?
• Can they provide a list of references along with the contact information that includes client names and phone numbers?

Meet and Greet

Once the information is gathered and references have been contacted, before making a final hiring decision it is important that clients know to invite the pet sitter over to their home not only to talk with them in person, but to have them meet the pet. During this stage of the interview additional important information can be gathered, for example:

• Watch the way they interact with the pet, do they seem at ease and focused on the pet? Does their behavior make the pet feel comfortable? Does the pet welcome their attention and touch?
• If animal has special needs, do they ask appropriate questions about their responsibilities for its care?
• Does the client feel comfortable with the sitter’s behavior in their home?

Trial Period

When the decision to hire is made, if clients plan to schedule for services that cover an extended period of time, suggest they first arrange for the pet sitter to provide care for a trial period over a couple of days. This will allow for a chance to identify any issues that must be addressed before the pet is left in the sitter’s care for a longer period, such as:

• Questions requiring further clarification
• Changes that need to be made in reference to scheduling
• Responsibilities that should be added to meet additional pet needs.

Taking the steps to identify a qualified pet sitter that is responsible and trustworthy is important to both owner and animal alike!

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