Everything To Know About Choice Of A Dog Walker / Pet Sitter

Owning a pet is a delightful experience, with the choice of a pet walker/sitter being very important when you go out of town or have to stay absent from home 8-12 hours in a day.

Points to select a good dog walker/pet sitter:

It would be a good idea to go through the experience and references in websites like Yelp.com or Google.com; read through the reviews especially the “Filtered Reviews” at the bottom of Yelp.com to make sure of any hidden negative reviews. If there are any negative reviews, you may wish to see how the company owner handled it and whether they apologized to the customer. It would help further to contact a few of the company’s current customers to interview them about their experience with this pet care provider.  Visit the website of each pet sitter to know if their love for animals and pet care experience come across and other ways in which they are involved in the community. Also know if they are professionally insured and bonded.  

Choose a dog walker/pet sitter who has professional liability insurance; they should also carry a professional bonding if they have a staff of employees and independent contractors. Liability insurance covers accidents to the dog or someone else while it is in the pet care provider’s care; it also covers rekeying the locks if the walker/sitter misplaces the key. Check up if the insurance and bonding is current and up-to-date.  

Free-in-home consultation is offered by most pet care providers; meeting at least 3-5 pet care providers would give you a good sense of their professionalism and how they interact with your pet. While initially meeting the walker/sitter note how well they communicate with you before, during and after the meeting. Make sure they have a professional and tidy appearance and greet your pet well; ensure they approach your pet in a warm and friendly manner. Also ensure your pet reacts cordially to the sitter. Find out if they are overly excited or putting up a show.

Check the background of your pet sitter/walker. You could do this by asking them the following questions.

Why do you love taking care of animals?

How many years of experience you have?

How do you stay in touch with your client to update them while they are away?

Do you have a backup plan in case of an emergency when you are unavailable and my pet has to be looked after?

Have you been background checked or are you willing to do a criminal background check?  Ask for a copy of the person’s background check.  The pet care provider should have no problem furnishing one.

Also during the interview the pet care provider should ask intelligent questions and show an interest to know fully about your pet’s daily routine and care.  Choose a pet care provider who offers the best care for your pet and is less concerned with negotiating a price.

Finally pay attention to your own feelings and trust your gut and work with a person who is courteous, professional, communicative, overall warm and friendly and excellent around your pet; you should be comfortable having him/her in your home.

Image Courtesy: Google