What should you be looking for in a pet sitter?
If you are going to be away from your home, your sitter is not only feeding and exercising your fuzzy friends, but watching over your home. You may seek a professional with experience. Some one who is insured and bonded at minimum. At this time, law does not require pet sitters to be licensed. But some sitters are certified professional pet sitters, veterinary technicians or otherwise degreed animal care professional.
You may ask about professional affiliations. Is your prospective pet sitter a member of Pet Sitters International?
Are they member of North American Veterinary Technician Association? Better Business Bureau? Is your prospective pet sitter active in any local animal welfare group? Is she/he dog and cat CPR and first aid certified by either the American Red Cross or PetTech? What do they know about possible safety hazards to dog, cat, rabbit or other small animal's well being? How many years have they been pet sitting? Do they take continuing education in animal care? It is okay to ask for references during the interview. You might ask the potential sitter about what kind of issues they have encountered in past pet sits. Have they ever had a pet in their care and custody become ill? What kind of records does the sitter keep? How will they communicate with you for pup dates or emergencies? Watch how they interact with your pets. Do you feel confident in their ability?
A practice visit is great, some sitters will do it for free.
We provide obligation free interviews. At no cost to you, you can meet me, see how your pets are with me, go over details of their care review my credentials and call my references. All at no obligation to you. I encourage new clients to shop around. Keep a couple of pet sitters. Have fun getting to know other people who love your pets as much as you do!
A portion of my pet sitting profits goes to food and medicine required to maintain feral cat colonies, low cast spay and neuter, foster and socialization of young homeless animals so that they may be adopted into a loving home rather then be abandoned on the streets.
Rates;
Visits and dogwalks start at $25
Two visits a day or more get $5 discounts.($45 for two)
Senior, veteran or rescue discounts available upon request.
Overnights start at $80 per 24 hour period. Midday visits are $20 extra. Live in with your pet means I am there all night from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m.with your furry children. Detailed observations, training, socialization, plenty of fresh air and cuddling on the sofa are some of the percs.
Interviews required. Please call me at (203)702-3264 to arrange a free initial meeting.
