A Pet Sitter Primer

Going somewhere? If you’re haven’t already determined who will care for your tribe while you’re away, here are some thoughts on pet sitters:

What Type of Sitter Do You Need?
If you’re headed off for the weekend, you might not need someone to spend nights in your home, depending on your pets’ overall needs. However, if you’re leaving them for more than two nights, it’s highly advisable to get an overnight sitter. This is a nice security measure as well.

Referrals – How Prospective Pet Sitters Get A Paw In Your Door:

1. Someone you know who regularly hires a pet/home sitter may have a favorite. Find out.
2. Who does your vet use? Many vet office staffers also pet sit. This can be a very reassuring choice, since they have medical experience.
3. Online pet sitting registries: From Yelp to Yahoo to http://www.thepetstaff.com and others, you should be able to find several experienced, knowledgeable pros with great references to interview. Interview them in your home – more on that in a minute. Note that some large-scale pet sitting services require the installation of a locked key box in front of your home for key pick-up and return. If this doesn’t work for you, try another service.

Critter Cred: Qualities To Look For In Your Sitter:

1. Many pet sitters are bonded. While this isn’t critical if you have personal trust in your sitter, it’s a good idea if you are hiring a stranger to spend nights in your home.
2. Your sitter should provide at least three glowing references from people with pet situations similar to yours. If you need someone to care for your multi-pet household and three feral stations for two weeks, don’t rely on the recommendation of someone whose poodle your prospective sitter once groomed.
3. Your sitter should have a back-up sitter in the event that he or she can’t complete the job. Get that person’s name and contact info, and check their references, too.
4. Spend no less than 30 minutes meeting with your sitter in your home, with your pets.

   In addition to references, your sitter should have written policies and fees, as well as a valid ID.

   Many have forms for you to note your contact information while traveling, and the names of people to be contacted if you are unreachable, including people with extra keys to your home in case your sitter gets locked out. (It can happen!) If this isn’t presented to you, complete your own form for the sitter. Sample below.

   Explain in detail what you expect, and really let your pets spend time with their prospective caregiver. Outline your pet and house rules, any pets’ health issues, and likes and dislikes.

   Do you find yourself over-explaining Sir Balthazar’s 10 a.m. thyroid meds or how Miss Thing can’t be trusted near the front door? It’s okay. Pet sitters expect a little neuroticism from pet parents.

   Now, turn on your radar! Is your pet sitter wanna-be really listening, learning, connecting and informing? Or are you taking in stories about the adorable pets from a prior job? Are you hearing gossip or complaints about other clients? Do you sense that the sitter prospect can’t wait to get out the door?

   If he or she has a public social network page, check it out. If anything scares you, your search continues!

5. It’s also okay to ask a potential sitter about physical limitations. If you want to hire that delightful, 95-pound, 85-year-old lady, for example, make sure she can safely walk your Doberman.
6. If your pet sitter cares for other pets during your absence (and most will), clarify whether or not your pets can be exposed to others. This is especially important if your dog can’t be walked with another, or if you have a pet with a contagious illness or immunity concerns. Some pet sitters want to bring their own pet(s) into your home. Discuss this ahead of time!
7. Many vets will discreetly keep your credit card number on file in the event of emergency needs in your absence. If you’re comfortable with this arrangement, let your sitter know about it, but be sure it’s clear that the credit will only be extended for your pets, a description of which should be on file with your vet.

How To Actually Relax When You’re Away:

1. Your sitter’s references rock, you’ve provided details about your pets’ schedules, feeding/medical requirements, habits and needs. The sitter has a house key, your out-of-town contact info, and the names and numbers of two other local people who have keys to your place. You’ve explained your itinerary and arranged to square up the bill and retrieve your key upon your return. You’re off to a great start.
2. Have your sitter call you with status updates while you’re away. I ask for a confirmation call the night I’ve left, then two calls during a one-week trip.
3. You might want a friend or relative to make an agreed-upon check-in at your home midway through your trip. But if you feel good about your sitter, there’s no need to over-scrutinize.
4. Especially during peek travel times, I book my sitter a month or more in advance, but I ask for an in-home visit a few days before my trip to review details, hand over the key, etc. This also gently helps prepare my pets for a pending departure.

Feasible fees:

Before we get into this – don’t balk! Rates may be negotiable, and trades may be possible. Even if they aren’t, investing in the care of your pets and home while you’re away is a real value. A healthy part of the expense may be tax-deductible, too, depending on your career situation. Fees typically start at $15 per day for a single feeding/playing visit, $25 for twice-daily visits for cats, possibly a little more if dog walking is part of the deal (particularly if the sitter needs to transport your dog(s) to a park). Overnight stays for multi-pet households average $50 per night, including twice-daily feedings/playtimes for cats. Pet sitters may ask up to $75 per day for overnight stays in high-maintenance situations, such as multi-pet households along with medicine administration or vet visits, and/or plant or other home care and off-site feral station maintenance, dog transportation and walking, for example. Most sitters ask for 50% of their fee up front and the balance on your return. Some are fine with less, but I like to show my confidence by ponying up 50%. Steer clear of anyone demanding full payment up front, for obvious reasons. I always return with a small gift for the sitter and a 5 – 10% tip, along with the balance owed. A great pet sitter is a treasure, and appreciation is a fine thing, after all.

PET BIO/INSTRUCTIONS TEMPLATE

OUR IMPORTANT INFO

Our cell phone numbers are (310) XXX-2222 and (818) 555-1212, and you can call the Super Vakay Hotel at (800) 555-1212.

The next-door neighbor, Hector Von Clooney, (818) 555-0000, and friend Josefina Jolie (818) 331-8680, each have keys.

Cleo’s vet is Dr. Lovesallpets at (310) XXX-4444. A credit card number is on file with his office in the event of medical needs in our absence. The same is true at Happy Helpers Emergency Vet Clinic at (310) XXX-9111. These addresses are on the attached business cards.

Please leave energy-efficient porch light on all night, and feel free to leave it on when you leave so you don’t have to come in in the dark every night. Same with the hall light.

Call the nosy landlord, Smitty Potatohead, ONLY if there’s an emergency, at (818) 000-3333.

Would you mind putting out the waste bins by 6 a.m. Wednesday, and bringing them back in after pickup? Thanks so much.

Replenish Cleo’s dry food as needed. Bin is next to bowls in kitchen. She gets ½ can wet food twice daily (cans on counter next to kitty treat package) and her bowl of filtered water is changed daily. 3-4 treats nightly and you’ve got a new BFF!

Please make yourself at home. Great HBO mini-series on for the next two weeks.

Thanks again!

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