What Is a Pet Sitter?
“Pet sitting” is the caring for a pet in its own home while the owner is away. Dog walking is a form of pet sitting because it involves the sitter going to the pet’s home. Pet owners often use pet sitters when they will be away from home while traveling or working long hours. Pet sitters typically offer one or multiple visits pet-sitting visits per day, and some offer overnight stays (in-home boarding) as well. Pet sitters perform a number of tasks including:
Pet sitters also often bring in mail or newspapers and alternate blinds and lights to give the home a “lived-in look” if the owners are away. Pet sitters may also perform other tasks as requested by the pet owners. |
Why You Should Use a Professional Pet Sitter
The number of online pet-sitter directories has exploded in the past few years. And...there is growing number of people offering to walk dogs and pet sit. After all, what does it really take to call yourself a pet sitter? The lack of uniform requirements and qualifications to be a pet sitter is why you need to be prudent in your search for reliable pet care. Practicing due diligence helps ensure you are getting the services of a true professional pet sitter.
Professional pet sitters are educated about pet care, health & nutrition and business ethics and generally have a set of quality and conduct standards to which they adhere.
Beyond all the training and standards, a true professional pet sitter is one who makes pet sitting a career rather than a part-time job or a hobby. A true professional pet sitter has been in the business for years or decades. A true professional insured, bonded and licensed pet sitter is someone people trust without hesitation to care for their pets and their homes.
The number of online pet-sitter directories has exploded in the past few years. And...there is growing number of people offering to walk dogs and pet sit. After all, what does it really take to call yourself a pet sitter? The lack of uniform requirements and qualifications to be a pet sitter is why you need to be prudent in your search for reliable pet care. Practicing due diligence helps ensure you are getting the services of a true professional pet sitter.
Professional pet sitters are educated about pet care, health & nutrition and business ethics and generally have a set of quality and conduct standards to which they adhere.
Beyond all the training and standards, a true professional pet sitter is one who makes pet sitting a career rather than a part-time job or a hobby. A true professional pet sitter has been in the business for years or decades. A true professional insured, bonded and licensed pet sitter is someone people trust without hesitation to care for their pets and their homes.
Finding a Professional Pet Sitter?
Following are questions to consider when looking for a professional pet sitter:
Following are questions to consider when looking for a professional pet sitter:
- Does the pet sitter have the proper city/state business license, if required?
- Is the pet sitter insured and bonded?
- Does the pet sitter provide proof of a clean background check or a verifiable history of honesty and integrity.
- Does the pet sitter provide client references?
- Will the pet sitter use a pet-sitting services agreement or contract?
- Is the pet sitter a member of a relevant professional and educational association