Whether you have a cat, dog, rabbit, horse, or even a hamster, most pet owners will agree that their animal is a huge part of their family. So, if you have booked a vacation and are unable to take your furry friend along with you, you will want to ensure that they get the best possible care and are looked after and loved during your absence. In order to do this, the best thing to do is find a reputable pet sitter who will look after your pet as if they were their own. We’ve put together some top tips to help you find the perfect pet sitter.
Home Visits
Staying in a boarding kennel, a cattery or another facility for pets can be very stressful for your pet, as they will be in an unfamiliar environment with strange surroundings and other animals in close proximity. Although certain pets may be able to thrive well in this environment, others, for example cats, may become anxious and distressed when away from the place that they call home. So, when looking for a pet sitter, be sure to ask whether or not they provide a home visit service, where your pet can receive the care and attention that they need without having to stay elsewhere.
Type of Pet
Some pet sitters will happily look after a wide variety of pets, for example, Classic Sitting Services. However, in some cases it may be essential to find a sitter who specializes in looking after a certain type of animal. For example, if your pet is more exotic than mainstream, such as a snake or a lizard, you will have better peace of mind when leaving them with somebody who is experienced with looking after that particular kind of pet.
Insurance
When looking for a suitable pet sitter you should ensure that your pet insurance covers any accidents that they might have whilst you are away. A good pet sitter may even provide their own insurance and will have contacts in the form of local veterinarians so that you know your furry friend will be in the best hands should anything go wrong. When searching for somebody to care for your pet, it’s important to ensure that they are registered with the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.
Training, Qualifications and Experience
It’s certainly true that you don’t need any special training or qualifications to look after a pet. So, before you hire a pet sitter, it’s important to consider any experience that they have along with training and qualifications. For example, somebody with no qualifications but a lifetime of owning and looking after their own dogs will still be able to give your dog a great standard of care. When interviewing any potential pet sitters before hiring them, be sure to enquire about the amount and type of experience that they have so that you can determine how suitable they will be for your pet.
Leaving your pet behind when you go on vacation is often essential, so ensure that you’re both happy and stress-free with a good pet sitter.
Photo credits to my dear friend Marie Gizelle
