When a situation arises that is going to take you from home, what do you do with your beloved four-legged canine friend?
It used to be that kennels were the only game in town, but that has changed. Most areas now have pet sitters that will come to your home and walk, feed and play with your dog. You may want to consider a reputable pet sitting service rather than a kennel where your dog will spend most of its time in a cage.
Kennels are also a breeding ground for communicable diseases. Keeping Fido at home may be a much healthier alternative and it is one that will almost always be the least stressful to the dog.
Choosing a pet sitter can start with a visit to the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters at http://www.petsitters.org. The organization promotes members’ integrity through a pledge of professional conduct that requires animals be treated with courtesy and respect.
Hiring a dog sitter is serious business. You need to make sure that the one you choose is professional. Local veterinarians often hear a lot of feedback about pet sitting services. Don’t be afraid to talk with your dog’s doctor.
Once you acquire a few pet sitters’ names, you will need to interview them in order to insure that you are getting a person that will care for your pet. You will need to develop a set of questions for the interview with the potential sitter. Find out exactly what is included in a visit to your house.
If your dog has special medical needs, you need to make sure that a dog sitter can handle the situation. They need to be aware of medications and the time table for administering them.
They also need to know your pet’s routine for eating, sleeping, exercise and play.
It is vital that you provide emergency contact information for both you and the dog’s veterinarian. Should a problem arise while you are away, you want to have the peace of mind that a caring professional is on hand to keep your dog safe and healthy. You should always leave a copy of your dog’s medical records with the pet sitter. This would include information about vaccinations and medications. Make sure the veterinarian’s phone number and other contact information is available in a prominent place in the event of an emergency.
If your dog has a quirk such as chewing or destroying the roll of toilet paper in the bathroom, let your dog sitter know what to expect.
Always ask a potential pet sitter for references. Check the references.
Make sure that the pet sitting organization or person is bonded and that the business or individual carries ample liability insurance.
Pet sitting costs can vary. You need to spell out what you expect so that the dog sitter can give you a price that will cover your expectations.
As a final selection step, check the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters website to see if the party is a member of the organization.
Understand that your dog is going to be a bit put out by your leaving without him or her. You might want to take a few steps to further insure your dog’s comfort while you are away. One thing you can do is leave a piece of your clothing with the dog. This can provide a great deal of comfort to a dog that is confused by your absence.
It is helpful to the dog sitter that everything for your pet can be found in one specific area. Sitters should not have to search for things like medical information, leashes, toys or food dishes.
As a last word of caution, emergencies do happen when we least expect them. Thus, it is important that your dog sitter have a phone number for a neighbor or family member that could take over in a situation where the pet sitter cannot get to your house.
A little preparation will go a long way in making your travels comfortable for both you and your dog.
Related posts:
- Promoting Puppy Safety at Home
- How to Get Your Puppy to Sleep on the First Few Nights Home
- How to Safely Leave Your Puppy at Home in a Crate
- How to Safely Leave Your Puppy at Home Outside of a Crate
- Ways to Leave Your Puppy at Home Safely
