Hiring a pet sitter

What to consider

Finding the right person to care for your pet when you’re away is a big decision. Not much could be more important than choosing someone we trust with our pets and our home, who will have our key and alarm code, and will have full access when we aren’t around.

 

Pet sitting options today go beyond friends or occasional dog walkers. A quick search brings up many dog-walking services. Before picking a caretaker for your dogs and cats, it's important to understand the differences between professional and part-time pet sitters.

 

Experience

Differentiating professional pet sitters from part-time dog walkers or sitters hinges on experience and commitment.

 

Professionals care for many pets daily, adeptly handling diverse animals and their temperaments. They have the experience to handle sticky situations that inexperienced walkers could never handle with confidence. Their comfort level is apparent to the animals, too, and experienced professionals will allow your pets feel more at ease.

 

Dog walkers are handling our pets out in the world of unpredictable surroundings, have access to our home, and will be there when we are away. There is no substitution for real world experience and a person we can trust.

 

Trained, Insured, and Bonded

Professional pet sitters typically are insured, bonded, and Pet CPR/First Aid certified. They have comprehensive training in animal care. Safety-minded services and skills like Pet First Aid and CPR certification allow them to address medical emergencies promptly and effectively. Professionals adeptly manage tasks such as home security and pet safety that less experienced sitters might overlook.

 

Professional pet sitters carry insurance and are bonded to shield clients from potential liabilities. Liability insurance grants peace of mind, covering costs related to accidents or emergencies. Bonding ensures adherence to all laws, bolstering confidence in responsible pet caregivers.

 

Availability

A major factor comparing professional to part-time is the time dedicated to caring for your animals. Professionals devote ample time, offering customized routines and multiple visits a day. This is their profession. Availability spans the day, including mornings and evenings, reducing worries of no-shows. Part-time sitters might be constrained by other commitments – such as their other work, school, or families – impacting pet care reliability.

 

Commitment

Full-time professionals prioritize client and pet welfare, taking their role seriously to meet expectations and uphold superior service standards. They work to fulfill client needs with every interaction, because their client’s trust depends on every visit and every outcome.

 

Pricing

Professional pet sitting is often priced higher because trained and experienced service providers have more to offer. Overheads include insurance, licensing, training, and taxes. Part-time services often come at a lower cost, but may compromise experience and reliability.

 

Choosing Wisely

The choice between professional and side-hustle sitters hinges on care level, visit frequency, budget, and preference. Careful evaluation, referencing, insurance validation, and verifying credentials are key steps in selecting a suitable sitter that will make both you and your pets happy and comfortable.          Training, certifications, experience