Need a pet sitter during holiday travel? Read this first
Are you traveling this winter without your pets? Do you need a pet sitter?
Here are a few tips to help you pick the right person and allow you to relax and enjoy your vacation.
Where to look for a pet sitter
It's a good idea to start searching as soon as you know you need a sitter. You don’t want to be stuck at the last minute with minimal options.
There are many websites — such as rover.com and bringfido.com — that are good places to start. Check out community online bulletin boards, such as nextdoor.com. And word of mouth is another great way to find a qualified person.
The right pet will steal your heart and never give it back. Rescue one anyway.
Determine your pet’s — and your own — needs
Answer these questions to assess what you and your pet need during this time of separation:
Do you want the sitter to stay at your house overnight? If so, is the sitter responsible for his/her own food, or will you be providing some or a food allowance? May the sitter use laundry facilities?
How many times a day does your dog need to be walked?
Will transportation be needed to any appointments, such as grooming or veterinary?
Does your cat need the litter box scooped three times a day or once?
And what are your needs as a pet owner? Do you want pictures texted to you daily, recordings of walks or any other way to stay connected?
Interview potential sitters
I highly recommend a meet-and-greet rather than a phone interview. It is important to observe the interaction between the potential sitter and your pets.
Ask for references. Note whether the potential pet sitter was on time. Is he/she professional? During the meet-and-greet, you can ask questions about how long they’ve done their job, what experience they have with animals, their comfort level with animals, and most importantly, if they are comfortable with any health issues your pet has.
Families with diabetic pets need to have a pet sitter comfortable with giving injections and someone who knows what to do if a complication occurs. An arthritic pet or one that has had back surgery might need to be picked up and carried a certain way and/or not allowed to climb stairs. A cat with a history of urinary tract issues might need to be monitored closely for urinary blockage.
Do this before your trip
Leave detailed instructions. Include feeding schedules, medications, emergency contact information, veterinary information, house rules for pets and a veterinary release form (if needed) so the pet sitter can make decisions if you cannot be reached.
Tell your veterinarian the name of your pet sitter, that you give the sitter authority to make medical decisions and are liable for the expense.
Then, you can relax and go on vacation with peace of mind!
This article originally appeared in the Autumn issue of At Home Place, a publication of Herald-Mail Media.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Need a pet sitter? Here's some advice for picking one
