Choosing a pet sitter

By Lori Mohr-Corrigan
Copyright 1999, Lori Mohr-Corrigan. Used with permission.

What a luxury it is to have someone come into your home while you're away and take care of the animals. No hassles getting them to the kennel; no separation anxiety; and no chance of catching kennel cough. How do you go about choosing the right person for such an important job?

Literature. Obtain any and all written material they may have telling about their service (including newspaper write-ups), and ask for a complete breakdown of duties and prices. Some pet sitters will only do brief stopovers, while others stay overnight.

Licensed and bonded. Realize that these two items alone do not guarantee a responsible pet sitter. Anyone can get a business license. Ask about these and other qualifying certificates they may have.

References. The best way to find a pet sitter is through a friend who has used one. If that's not possible, ask the potential pet sitter for at least five or six client references, so you may speak to those who have used this person's services before.

Interview. You may have found the most wonderful pet sitter in the world, but if s/he doesn't hit it off with your animals, it may be time to start looking again. A face-to-face meeting is essential to determine how your pets and the newcomer will get along, as well as to see, in person, the man or woman who will have access to your entire home. Find out things like if s/he is kind in nature, familiar with your particular breed and truly capable of the job ahead.

Emergencies. Have a backup plan in case the pet sitter is no longer able to care for your pets. Be sure these are shared with more than one other person.

After you've chosen your pet sitter, be sure to leave explicit written instructions regarding your pet's daily routine and the care of your home, including any emergency names and phone numbers of your vet and various friends/relatives.