When you plan to be away from home for a period of time and don’t want to board your dog or cat, you can hire a pet sitter. What criteria should you follow? Can you trust someone new to care for your fur baby? Can you trust this person in your home?
Trusting your beloved animal with a pet sitter
It’s an emotional decision to allow someone you don’t know to watch your pet while you are gone. If a trusted friend recommends the person, you may be reasonably comfortable with them. But if you hire a sitter through an agency or website, you want to feel that you can trust all parties involved.
Key criteria for hiring a pet sitter
- Get referrals from friends and family. Consider online platforms such as Rover for candidate sourcing. Rover gives you choices for whichever type of care you desire: boarding, doggie day care, walking services, and pet sitters.
- Select three possible candidates, then dive deeper into their qualifications. Do they have pet-sitter and care certifications? What are their plans for emergencies? Do they know emergency medical procedures? How often would they stop by if not staying full-time at your home? Do they have experience with your pet type and breed?
- Talk to your sitter candidates by phone on these topics.
- Ask for documented background checks. Get references and contact them.
- Whittle your sitter choices down to one or two, and arrange for them to come to your home. Observe how they interact with your pet. Do they bond easily? Discuss any specific needs your pet may have, such as medications for aging or sick pets.
- Review contracts and pricing to ensure you understand the terms and costs.
With due diligence, you can move forward with less trepidation about who will be taking care of your four-legged friend.
Related – Finding the Perfect Place for Pet Boarding
