Pets, be it cats, dogs, fish or even birds are adorable creatures that have plenty of benefits. They keep us company, they are good playmates with kids, and some pets are even trained to assist people with certain issues. Most individuals do tend to view their pets as another member of the family and hence do their best to love and protect them just as they would their loved ones. It is thus important for pet owners that their pets are taken care of and all their needs are met, even while they are away. Getting a good sitter is thus the best way to ensure that your pet will be well attended to in your absence. We, however, recognize that finding a suitable pet sitter is not easy, and the last thing that anyone would want to happen is having their pet mistreated in any way. As such, below we have compiled a list that will help you hire a good sitter, one that you can rest assured knowing that your furry friend is in good hands.
1.Feedback and reviews
Just like when hiring a babysitter or any other form of professional service, it is important to do your research first and get a bit of background information. When you have identified a company that you are interested in, do some more research online, check out their web pages, social media and have a look at what people say about their services. Feedback is important as it helps to provide insight on what to expect and how your pet will be treated. Ask trusted friends as well if they could recommend a reliable sitter. Veterinarians are always a good option to go to for such information too, as they will direct you to some of the best and qualified pet sitters out there.
2.Insurance
Before making your choice, it is important to pay a visit to the pet sitter’s offices, for instance, and get some more information on how things are done. The conversation could range from asking questions concerning how they take care of the pets, what they feed them, how they will make sure they are safe and so much more. All these are valid questions to ask as the information will help to put you at ease when you are away from your pet. More useful information would be what kind of services do they offer and at what cost. For instance, you could get services such as overnight pet sitting at Queen City Pet Sitting, just in case you are away on a trip. Finding out also whether they have insurance is very important, just to cover you and make sure that the sitting company will be liable in case of any damages or accidents.
3.Qualifications
There are plenty of kind-hearted people out there who do part-time pet sitting in order to earn some extra cash. This is not to say that they are not qualified or will not do a good job as many of them are decent people that will take care of your pet and there is nothing wrong with hiring them. However, if you will be gone for a few days or simply would just feel better by leaving your pet in the hands of a qualified professional, then go for it. Before selecting your sitter, ask about their qualifications which will help you identify how much experience they have had handling pets and what they would do in case of an emergency. Having a look at their papers will also confirm that they are accredited which will grant you more assurance.
4.Professionalism
This can be a hard area to look out for since people always put up their best front. A person may have all the necessary qualifications but they may actually not be good with animals. They could be impatient with your pet like when they accidentally knock over a glass of water or pee on their shoes, thus making the whole pet-sitting experience quite uncomfortable for both them and your pet. To gauge this, therefore, the best thing to do would be to actually meet the person who will take care of your pet and get to know a little more about them. Try and find out what they love about their job and how they can handle certain situations that would arise during sitting. Inquire about certifications that they may have to get a general feel about how they are as a person, and while this might not give you 100% assurance that they will be good to your pet, it will at least provide you with an idea of how they might work and what education they posess.