When you go away, and your pets can't come with you, you need someone to watch them. Sometimes a friend can do this, but you may not always able to find someone who has the time. Turning to a stranger to look after your pet can be nerve-wracking, but it's often the best option. Kennels and catteries can be stressful so finding someone to look after your pets in their own home is a good idea. If you've never done it before, you might be worried about a number of things. Before you start your search, here are some things for you to think about.
What Sort of Service to Choose
If you're looking for a pet sitter, you usually have a couple of options. Some sitters will pop in a couple of times a day to check on your furry friend. They will charge for a visit of a set time, such as 30 minutes or an hour, when they can feed your pet, play with them, and perform other tasks. Another option is to have someone stay in your home. They can watch your pets more closely, which might suit you if they don't like being alone or have special needs. Think about which option fits your situation best and which you're more comfortable with.
Finding Someone Trustworthy
The next step is looking for someone you can trust. It's hard to immediately put your trust in someone you have never met before. However, you can use various methods to reassure yourself that someone is right for the task. Start by going through a professional pet sitting company or referral service. You might want to look for certain attributes, such as animal care qualifications or proven experience. Of course, meeting someone in person will also help you to read them and decide if you can trust them. You can ask them important questions and make sure they know what they're doing.
Security in Your Home
You might be worried about letting a stranger into your home, which is perfectly normal. However, many people trust pet sitters to care for their pets, and everything goes smoothly. Using a professional agency is the first step to finding someone you can trust with a key to your home. You might decide you want to take further steps to protect your home and your pets. You could consider getting a camera from the SpyCentre website and placing it in your home. Just be sure not to put it in the bedroom or bathroom if your sitter is staying in your home.
Compatibility with Your Pet
Of course, you might want to make sure that your pet gets along with the sitter. You can have them meet before you go away, perhaps a few times. Both you and your pet might feel more comfortable after meeting the sitter on a couple of occasions. You could also invite them on a walk with your dog to help them get comfortable with each other.
You might be nervous about hiring a pet sitter, but you can ease your worries by taking a few easy steps.
Comments