| Whether your dog is old or a just a puppy, | | | | visit your home on a daily basis to feed your |
| there will come a time when you have to out | | | | dog, take them for walks, and let them out to |
| of town for business or a vacation where dogs | | | | go the bathroom. They can help your dog with |
| aren't allowed. Therefore, you will need to | | | | any health ailments or continuing care such |
| leave your prized pet in the care of a pet | | | | as medicines while you are away. |
| sitter. Where can you find a pet sitter? What | | | | |
| types of pet sitter services are available? | | | | A pet sitter needs to be informed if your dog |
| How much will it cost to hire a pet sitter? | | | | has any special needs. For example, your dog |
| These are some of the many questions that you | | | | may be elderly and blind or deaf. Your pet |
| need to answer before you hire a pet sitter. | | | | sitter must know this so they can properly |
| | | | help your dog. Or your dog may be just a |
| You have two main options of where to leave | | | | puppy and require more exercise then most |
| your pet when you are away. You can take them | | | | dogs. Let your pet sitter know and they can |
| to a boarding kennel or you can hire a pet | | | | increase the frequency of visits each day. |
| sitter. By hiring a pet sitter it means that | | | | The pet sitter should be able to work with |
| your dog will stay at your home and a pet | | | | your needs. |
| sitter will visit your home several times per | | | | |
| day to take care of your dog. The following | | | | Your pet sitter will also take the |
| questions and answers are geared toward those | | | | responsibility of taking your dog to the vet |
| pet owners that decide to hire a pet sitter | | | | if an accident occurs or the need arises. You |
| to take care of their dog. | | | | need to let your pet sitter know how you want |
| | | | them to handle these types of situations and |
| Question #1: Where do I find a pet sitter? | | | | how to contact you in the event that this |
| You can find a pet sitter through a number of | | | | happens. |
| means. Consult your veterinarian, groomer, | | | | |
| and breeder for recommendations. Often times | | | | Question #3: How do I find the "best" pet |
| they know of a reliable pet sitter in your | | | | sitter for my dog? Only you can determine the |
| area or they can point you in the direction | | | | best pet sitter for your dog. Follow the same |
| of pet sitter services. You can also check | | | | procedures you would as if you were hiring a |
| with your friends and family to see if they | | | | babysitter for your children. Check out their |
| can refer you to a pet sitter. Word of mouth | | | | references, interview them, and inquire about |
| referral is a common way to find a pet | | | | past work history. How do they interact with |
| sitter. | | | | your dog? Speak to former or current clients |
| | | | to determine if they are right for you. |
| Search Engine Marketing Specialist | | | | |
| | | | Also make sure the pet sitter has been |
| Since 1995 SEO/SEM tools, training, and | | | | certified and/or bonded and insured. Your |
| professional "full service" Search Engine | | | | dog's life is priceless so you definitely |
| Marketing help at very affordable rates. | | | | want a serious professional pet sitter to |
| | | | take care of your pooch. |
| You can also take a trip to your local pet | | | | |
| store or a chain pet store such as PETCO. | | | | Question #4: How much does a pet sitter cost? |
| Many pet sitters advertise their services at | | | | The cost of a pet sitter varies based on |
| these places so you can find their contact | | | | their experience, your location, the number |
| information. The pet store owners and staff | | | | of dogs you are leaving, and the level of |
| may know of a great pet sitter as well. | | | | care you need for the dogs. Some pet sitters |
| | | | charge on a per visit basis while others can |
| Another option is to call Pet Sitters | | | | work with you to determine a reasonable |
| International at (800) 268-SITS or check out | | | | price. Make sure to have their scope of |
| their website at Pet Sitters International | | | | services and fees in writing. This will |
| is the world's largest organization of pet | | | | safeguard you against any miscommunication. |
| sitters. Pet Sitters International is highly | | | | |
| respected organization. They offer a | | | | Question #5: How should I prepare my home and |
| multitude of services including finding a pet | | | | dog for the pet sitter? First of all, your |
| sitter based on your zip and giving advice on | | | | dog needs to meet and get to know the pet |
| how to prepare your home for the pet sitter. | | | | sitter before you leave town. Have the pet |
| | | | sitter visit a few times until your dog is |
| Also spend time researching information about | | | | comfortable with their presence. You don't |
| the National Association of Professional Pet | | | | want to leave and suddenly have a new person |
| Sitters by calling them at (800) 296-PETS. | | | | show up to take care of your dog. Your dog |
| You can peruse their website at Not only can | | | | may confuse the pet sitter for an unwanted |
| you find a pet sitter based on your zip code, | | | | stranger. |
| but you can find a "certified" pet sitter. | | | | |
| They offer a certification program that | | | | Provide emergency numbers of your |
| ensures a pet sitter is knowledgeable about | | | | veterinarian and also a number at which they |
| business management, animal care, and animal | | | | can reach you. You want to make yourself |
| health issues. This type of certification can | | | | available by phone in case an emergency pops |
| be a comfort in the event that your dog has a | | | | up. Make sure your home is clean and the dog |
| health problem. | | | | food bowls are clean. Speak with your pet |
| | | | sitter about feeding, walking and other pet |
| Question #2: What type of tasks does a pet | | | | care procedures first, but also leave all the |
| sitter do for you and your pet? A pet sitter | | | | directions in writing. Verify that this is |
| is there to provide comfort, help, and care | | | | plenty of dog food for the length of time you |
| for your dog while you are away. They will | | | | will be gone. |