by Kathryn Cockrell, Owner of Happy Hound Pet Sitting.
It’s a high stakes situation — you’re leaving your pets and home in the care of a complete stranger. Don’t get me wrong, in-home pet sitters are incredible — but it’s essential that you do your homework before handing over the keys to the castle. Here are a few important considerations when hiring a new pet sitter.
What’s your first impression?
If your new pet sitter is late or doesn’t have good people and animal skills — it could be a red flag. You want someone who takes their job seriously and is courteous of you and your home. They need to put you at ease by answering questions, listing their services in detail, and demonstrating their passion for pets.
Do they have a service agreement?
It’s important that pet sitters outline their expectations and offerings, in the same way that pet parents should. If they don’t have a service agreement, then who will be paying for the broken lamp, or the sick pet? Set expectations early on so everyone feels comfortable and confident about the plan.
Have others recommended them?
You can save yourself a lot of heartache, vet bills, and household damage if you simply make sure your sitter has good recommendations. If a friend you trust didn’t recommend the sitter to you, then you MUST check them out. Look online, check with your vet, or if it’s a new small business (we all have to start somewhere!) ask to call a few current clients to make sure everything is up to par.
Do they have a “check in” plan?
A truly great pet sitter will send you consistent updates about how your pet is doing. Some may even share cute photos and videos throughout the day to put you at ease. The key here? Finding a pet sitter who checks in and communicates so you don’t have to stress while you’re away.
The advantages of hiring a pet sitter
Personalized care
Great pet sitters are like pet nannies — they’re trained to handle every nuance of your pet’s life. From gourmet feeding routines to personalized medical needs, pet sitters take care of your pet as if they were their own.
A stress-free experience for your pet
Why have your furry family leave the comfort of home to stay in a crowded, loud, stressful kennel? Have a pet sitter provide a stress free in-home pet sitting experience for your furry family members. Gone are the inconveniently timed pick-up windows that have you rushing to pick your dog up from the kennel before he’s left to suffer another lonely night. Just do a little due diligence to ensure you and your pet find the purrfect fit for your needs.
Peace of mind while you’re away
While caring for your pets, pet sitters are often responsible for taking care of your home, too. Do you worry about a troublesome appliance malfunctioning? Who will water your plants? Maybe you left a hair straighter plugged in? Pet sitters take pride in keeping your foliage green, your mailbox empty, packages safe from the elements — while keeping your pet happy above all else.
With over seven years of experience, the Happy Hound staff is provides a stress free in-home pet sitting experience for your furry family members. We are trained in pet first aid, licensed, insured, and tailor each visit to you and your pet. Does your dog need medication, have an odd quirk, or need extra exercise? Our pet-loving staff is here to support your pet with anything they need.
About the Author
In 2009, Kathryn started working at a local kennel in her hometown, Daphne, AL, as a sophomore in high school. After leaving, she couldn’t get over how much she missed the pets she cared for in the kennel.
That got her wheels spinning… what if she started caring for her neighbors dogs — from the comfort of their normal surroundings and routine? To her surprise, many pet parents hated dropping their best friends off at the kennel.
Now, she’s focused on creating pet care options tailored to each pet’s comfort and happiness. In the past 10 years she’s built a dedicated team of animal lovers in two locations that share her mission of keeping pets happy, active, and stress-free. Her goal? To ensure every pet under her care is happy — so that loving pet parents can enjoy a stress free vacation.
