Pet Sitting News
Name: Don't leave them home alone! Get a pet sitter
by Marianne Skoczek (As published on PetPlanet.com, Nov. 26, 1999)
I remember the first time we left Muki (our then four-year-old husky-mix) home without us while we went off on a three-day bike tour. One of our most trusted friends, and a favorite "uncle" of Muki's, moved in to our apartment to dog sit. For the most part, things did go smoothly. Although he was a bit sad, moping around the house, clearly missing us, Muki was very well taken care of. On our end, my husband and I learned that we were indeed capable of living without our favorite furry creature for a few days. And of course, we also learned some important details that helped immeasurably the few other times we brought someone in to "sit" with our dog.
Trusting pet sitters
While it's often wonderful to share your travels with your dog, cats and other animals are usually more "home bodies." And even dogs can't go everywhere. With the holidays close at a hand--and following them, months of ski trips and other winter adventures--you may find yourself needing the services of a reliable pet sitter, essentially someone who will care for your animal with the same dedication and concern you do. Finding this extraordinary person often isn't easy, but with patience and persistence, it can be done.
Finding the right pet sitter
Because your dog, cat, rabbit, or other animal is truly part of your family, approach finding a pet sitter with the same care you'd give to finding a babysitter. While there are no guarantees for finding the right person (and if you need someone for the holidays, you'll need more than a little luck on your side this late in the game), there are several potentially excellent resources. Start by asking family, friends, and co-workers for a recommendation. Find out what their experience was, what worked well, what to watch out for. If you currently hire a dog walker, ask them if they also pet sit (some do, many don't), or if they can give you a referral. Your local animal shelter may also be able to give you a recommendation, or at least a list of area pet sitters.
"One of your best resources," notes Kortney Eichenberger, a professional dog walker in San Francisco who also pet sits, "is your vet's office. Talk with the office manager, the receptionist, the technicians. If you have a good relationship with them, they'll know your dog or cat and be able to recommend pet sitters who can work with your animal." Another resource: the local dog park. Talk with other Pet Parents; again, ask who they've trusted to care for their animal while they're away.
Getting to know you
Once you've gotten a recommendation, set up a time for the pet sitter to come over and meet you and your animal. This is your opportunity to find out if they will be able to provide the kind of care you are looking for. "Watch how well they interact with your animal, listen to their questions," advises Eichenberger. "Let them tell you what they're going to do. This is a great way to find out if they really know what they're doing." If your animal seems comfortable with the pet sitter and you feel confident they could handle this very important job, it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty. Find out exactly how much time they can spend with your animal; be sure they understand your animal's exercise and "quality time" needs.
Because routine is so important to most animals, find a caregiver who can stick to your animal's current routine as much as possible. If you do have to deviate from this, make sure that the pet sitter can stick with the new schedule and make this your animal's routine while you're away. The ideal situation for most animals is to have someone stay in your home. Some pet sitters will, instead, board animals at their home. Some dogs may be comfortable with this; others will become too anxious. Cats--who generally do not adapt well to change--should never be boarded in someone else's home.
Review what the pet sitter should do in the event of an emergency. Leave numbers where you can be reached, but also give them the information they need to take immediate emergency care of your canine or feline companion. It's a good idea to give your veterinarian a letter stating that the pet sitter will be caring for your companion and giving the veterinarian permission to do whatever is required in the event of a medical emergency. Provide your veterinarian with your credit card number, so valuable time isn't wasted trying to track you down.
Be sure to ask a prospective pet sitter the following questions:
* Are you bonded and insured?
* Can you give me two or three references?
* How long have you been doing this? What has your experience been?
* Do you understand my animal's special needs? (If, for instance, you have a herding breed or a diabetic cat.)
A stress-free holiday
While your companion animal will undoubtedly miss you terribly, there are a number of things you can do to make your time away less stressful for them:
Have the pet sitter come by and visit with your animal several times before you leave for your vacation. Having them walk and get to know your canine friend is a good way to ensure that both your dog and the pet sitter are comfortable with each other.
Make sure your dog will have plenty of exercise while you're away. It's simple, explains Eichenberger: "If they're exhausted, they won't be anxious."
Make sure they'll have plenty of companionship. This is especially important if your dog is staying at the pet sitter's home.
Review with the pet sitter your animal's likes and dislikes, as well as your "house rules": how to call them, what types of treats they can have and how many, if they can play off leash, if they're allowed on the furniture.
Keep your cat in your own home. Eichenberger recommends asking the pet sitter to come by once or twice a day, with one visit lasting a full hour. After providing food and fresh water and scooping the litterbox, the pet sitter can play with an especially affectionate cat--or simply provide a warm body in the house for a less sociable feline.
To avoid accidents and emergencies, keep indoor-outdoor cats inside only while you are away.
Leave your dog a worn T-shirt that has your scent on it. If your pooch will be staying at the pet sitter's home, be sure to bring his own bed, food bowls, and favorite toys.
Make sure your animal is wearing current ID tags! Ask the pet sitter not to remove the collar at night.
Finally, put everything in writing--your animal's name, how much and what they eat, where the food is kept, any medications, where the leash is, where you can be reached, when you'll be back--everything! Kortney Eichenberger suggests keeping this information at "the communications center of any home," the refrigerator.
Having a trusted pet sitter is a wonderful and sometimes necessary option for any Pet Parent. Give yourself plenty of lead time, know your resources, and ask the right questions. You and your animal will both be happier for it.
Marianne Skoczek served as editor of the Peninsula Humane Society's "Pawprint" and "Animal Talk" publications from 1994 to 1999. She is currently the editor of the quarterly "Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation." She and her husband, Paul, share their home with their beloved seven-year-old husky-mix, Muki. |
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