Photo by Leiada Krözjhen on Unsplash
As pet parents, we’ve all been there at least once: Saying goodbye to our beloved pets, overcome by guilt at their expectant eyes as we walk out of the door. As much as we want our pets with us all the time, including when we travel, sometimes that’s just not possible. When we can’t take them with us, we have a significant decision to make. Who will care for them?
While we can ask friends or family to stop in and check on them or board them at the vet, those aren’t always viable options. We might not have loved ones in the area or those who live nearby may not have the time to stop by several times a day while boarding can fill up and, in many cases, we’d rather have our pets stay at home.
That’s where a professional pet sitter comes in.
A professional pet sitter will come to your home to care for your pet. Pet sitters typically offer overnight visits, daytime visits, or both. Some even offer pet sitting in their own homes. Let’s start by taking a look at common pet sitter responsibilities before considering the benefits of in-home pet sitters and tips for choosing a pet sitter.
What Do Pet Sitters Do?
Every pet sitting business is different. Some are run by a single professional pet sitter while others have employees. Pet sitting rates differ and so do services. Here are a few common services offered by sitters:
- Feed and change water
- Administer medications
- Play with/walk your pet
- Clean up after your pet i.e. change your cat’s litter box or paper lining your bird’s cage
- Socialize with your pet
- Brush or groom
- Clean your pet’s (i.e. hamster) cage
- Provide photo and written updates about your pet
Some pet sitters will even bring in your mail and water your plants while others offer a separate dog walking service. If you’re not sure if a pet sitter offers the service you need, ask. Additional services, however, may come with additional fees.
Benefits of In-Home Pet Sitters
Leaving our pets is hard. They’re part of the family, and can anyone really care for them as well as we can? Well, we might not think so, but the right professional pet sitter can. Hiring a sitter benefits both you and your pet in a variety of ways, including:
- Your pets stay at home where they’re comfortable and happy, saving you and them anxiety that often comes with traveling.
- You have peace of mind knowing your pet is being cared for by a professional who will show up for every scheduled visit.
- You will typically receive updates to help you feel connected to your pets while you’re away.
- Pet sitters offer care tailored to your pets’ needs.
How to Find a Professional Pet Sitter
One of the quickest ways to find potential pet sitters is to head to your favorite search engine and type “pet sitter near me” or “best pet sitters Pennsylvania.” If you want someone to stay with your pets, look for “overnight pet sitters in Pennsylvania.” That’s a good starting point for seeing what kind of services are around you.
However, don’t stop there. Ask family, friends, and neighbors with pets for recommendations, too. Sometimes word of mouth is the best way to find your next sitter. Another easy way to see your options is to check the pet sitter locator on Pet Sitters International, a prominent organization in the pet sitting industry.
Make a list of sitters who interest you then start researching each. Visit their website and learn about them, how they operate, and what services they offer. Read testimonials and do a Google search for reviews. See what people have to say about them, what they like, and anything they didn’t like about working with the service.
Tips for Choosing a Pet Sitter
Whether you’re looking for overnight pet sitters in Pennsylvania or a professional to schedule drop-in visits, once you’ve found one with whom you’d like to work, you’ll generally set up a meet and greet. A meet and greet allows you and your pets to get to know the pet sitter and vice-versa and, if you decide it is a good fit, you can give your key(s) and set up a visit schedule.
While looking at the sitter’s website will usually provide a lot of useful information, you’ll have the chance to ask questions during the initial meeting, such as:
- What kind of animals do you have experience with?
- How long have you been a pet sitter?
- Do you have insurance?
- Do you offer overnight visits? If so, how long are the visits? What is included in an overnight visit?
- How long are drop-in visits? What is included in a drop-in visit?
- What is your protocol for dealing with emergencies?
Consider creating a list of questions before the meeting, so you don’t forget anything, and be prepared to answer questions, too. The professional sitter will likely ask you a lot of questions, about your pets and their care, including diet, health, vet care, and so on, so they can provide a high level of care.
You want to feel confident in the sitter you hire but, perhaps even more importantly, you want to make sure your pet(s) feels comfortable with them. If you don’t feel like it’s a good fit during that initial meet and greet, that’s okay. Continue the search. Sometimes sitters find they don’t mesh well with the client or pet either.
Because it can take time to find the perfect match, start your initial search for a pet sitter well in advance of when you’ll need care. That way, you can take your time and won’t feel pressured to settle for a professional with whom you don’t click.
Schedule your pet sitter as far in advance as they’ll allow for holidays. Holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, are generally busy times for pet sitters. If you’re booking for the holidays, be prepared to pay a premium holiday rate.
What Happens After I Choose a Pet Sitter?
Once you’ve connected with a pet sitter with whom you feel comfortable, you can schedule visits. Every pet sitter runs their business differently. Visits may last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your needs and what they offer.
Most pet sitting businesses require payment upfront. Those who allow payment after the visits may require a substantial deposit. Both you and the sitter will also sign a contract that outlines the terms of your agreement. A contract will generally include information such as:
- The agreed upon services
- Number, frequency, and length of visits
- Your contact information – name, address, email address, phone number, and how you can be reached in an emergency
- Information for emergency contacts in case you are unreachable
- Price for visits and total cost
- Payment terms and methods – cash, check, credit card, PayPal, Zelle, etc.
- Pet’s history, including behavior and medical. Will the pet require medication? If so, what type, when, and how much?
- Overview of your pet’s routine, including feeding time, where he likes to eat, and favorite toys, for example. Some pet parents like to leave the TV or radio on for their pets. What do you prefer?
- House rules, such as rooms that may be off-limits, temperature to leave the thermostat on, and passcode for door locks, if applicable.
- Cancelation terms. What happens if you have to cancel? Is there a grace period during which time you’ll receive a refund? Is there a cancelation fee? Know what to expect in case you have to cancel.
Read the contract carefully, and ask questions if you have them. A contract is a legally binding document.
When you can’t take your pets with you, a pet sitter allows them to stay home, where they’re most comfortable, and you can have peace of mind knowing they’re safe and loved until you return.
