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