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Finding A Pet Sitter: 12 Tips To Finding A Quality Dog Sitter

The following are tips on finding a reliable dog-sitter:

1. Begin the process of finding a pet-sitter well in advance of your trip. Pet-sitters, like boarding kennels, are booked early, especially over the holidays or during prime vacation time.

2. Ask your veterinarian or pet-owning friends for a referral. Finding a sitter who is trustworthy and has a good reputation is important for your peace of mind.

3. Check the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory under “Pet sitters.” Call several and set up appointments to interview them. As an alternative, call the locator lines of the two major professional pet-sitting organizations for a list of member pet-sitters in your area.

4. When you call a pet-sitter, ask if he or she is bonded and insured and can supply you with references. Ask how long he or she has been in business and what experience with animals the person has beyond pet-sitting.

5. Set up a meeting with the pet-sitter so that you and your pet can meet him or her. The sitter should be interested in your animal and attempt to establish a rapport during the first meeting. Getting to know the pet sometimes takes a while if the pet is shy, but the sitter should make the effort.

6. Expect the sitter to ask you questions about your dog’s care, including feeding, walking, cleaning up, disposing of doggie wastes, recycling pet food cans, and games your dog likes to play.

7. When you decide on a sitter, expect to sign a contract covering the dates of core, cost, and liabilities. Some sitters, like housekeepers, require payment up front, so don’t be put off by a sitter asking for payment in advance.

8. Be sure to let the sitter know of any illnesses or idiosyncrasies that your dog has so that the sitter is not surprised if he behaves in a particular way.

9. If your dog eats little while you are gone, let the sitter know and offer suggestions of what to do if he decides to go on a hunger strike.

10. Provide the sitter with important information such as the phone number of where you will be, anyone locally to notify in an emergency, and the name and number of your veterinarian.

11. Inform your veterinarian that you will be away. Have your veterinarian keep a letter on file from you that says you are going away and names the pet-sitter and service as your dog’s temporary guardian. If there is a problem, the sitter will have the authority to bring him in and you will be responsible for any fees.

12. The sitter should give you a business card to take with you so that you can call the sitter if you need to for any reason. If your return is going to be delayed, contact the sitter to take care of your dog for the additional time.