Our pets are wonderful forms of therapy and stress relief. Who, after having a rough day at work, doesn’t enjoy coming home to the unconditional love of a dog? Who doesn’t feel the stress leave them as they hold a cat, stroke its fur, and listen to it purr?
However, there are times when we can’t be with our pets. Maybe it’s a work trip that will take us away for a few nights or a vacation that doesn’t allow pets.
Then our pets can be a source of stress. Not only do we have to figure out what we will do with them while we are away, but there’s also the worry while we are away about whether they are being fed, walked and cared for.
Fortunately, pet owners have options for providing care when they can’t do it. While you can certainly ask a friend or relative to care for a pet in your absence, pet sitters and pet nannies are also available. Pet sitters can be hired to come to your home and provide care based on what you want and what your pet needs. This can be feeding, walking, changing litter, or playing with the pets. Visits can vary in length of time and number of visits per day.
“Some pet sitters also offer overnight care, where they will stay in the client’s home overnight while they are away (but these pet sitters leave during the day to perform pet-sitting visits for other clients),” said Beth Stultz-Hairston, president of Pet Sitters International, an educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers, and editor of Pet Sitter’s World magazine.
While dogs and cats are the most common pets needing care, pet sitters can be found who care for all types of pets. Lizards, tropical fish and snakes can all find care. Some pet sitters even care for livestock, such as horses, goats and alpacas.
Having a pet sitter care for your pet at home creates less stress for your pet since it can remain in a familiar place. They also don’t have to experience travel trauma. Diet and exercise can remain uninterrupted, and your pet’s exposure to illnesses is minimized.
It’s safe to say that pet sitters love pets and spending time with them. However, when looking for a pet sitter, you might find anyone from a teenager who does the work as a side gig to a company with multiple pet sitters.
“While it may seem like a good deal to hire a pet lover offering to watch your pet for a really low price, we encourage pet parents to only use professional pet sitters or dog walkers,” Stultz-Hairston said.
“Professional pet sitters and dog walkers focus on offering pet-care services as their career and have important business credentials in place, such as having pet-sitter liability insurance and using a service contract. Professionals also focus on continuing education, completing pet-training such as pet first aid.”
One thing available to Pet Sitter International members is to get certification as a pet sitter. If you have a pet sitter who is certified, it can give you some peace of mind. It shows the person has demonstrated the skills and knowledge a pet sitter should know to care for a pet.
Finding professional pet sitters means asking pertinent questions. Does the sitter have a business license and liability insurance? Do they have references, or better yet, proof of a background check? Remember, these people will be in your house alone. Does the sitter have experience with your type of pet?
You’ll also want to have an in-person meeting to see how the sitter gets along with your pet and what sense you get of the person. This is also when you can show them where food, litter, toys, etc., are located and talk about the services you need for your pet.
“Finding the right pet sitter for your family allows you to truly enjoy your holiday, but it takes time — time for phone interviews, an in-home meeting and a check of references,” Stultz-Hairston said. “Contact your preferred professional pet sitter as soon as possible to minimize the stress of scrambling to find a professional pet sitter at the last minute.”
And when you return home, both you and your pet can enjoy a happy reunion confirming the truth behind the adage, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
By James Rada Jr.
