Professional Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
How
To Make Travelling With Your Pet Even Easier
by Lara Willis, President - All Canadian Pet Services Network
Pet Sitters provide a valuable service to pet parents. Whether you
are planning a vacation, or must travel for an unforeseen family
crisis, a pet sitter is often available and capable of caring for
your pets at your chosen travel destination.
Pet sitters provide care in the comfort of the parents’ hotel or
possibly the
pet sitter’s home, where calm, friendly surroundings provide the pet
with reassurance. Losing touch with a parent is stressful enough for
an animal – they may refuse to eat, cry, or misbehave in reaction to
the separation. All these reactions may worsen if the pet is placed
into a kennel or boarding facility with which they are unfamiliar.
Travelling with your pet allows them to continue to enjoy your
presence, while at the same time affording you the freedom to enjoy
your vacation without worry for their well being.
When you hire a professional pet sitter, you can be assured that
your pet will be cared for:
- for a guaranteed amount of time each visit
- for a guaranteed number of visits each day
- by a skilled, reliable, compassionate individual
- In a safe environment, free from potential infections
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Pet sitters do much more than provide your pet with food and water
while you're away from them. A qualified pet sitter also spends
quality time with your pet, ensuring your pet receives adequate
exercise, companionship and affection, and monitors the health of
your pet, intervening before serious problems arise.
While on vacation, many pet parents plan activities that are not pet
friendly – dining out, amusements parks, zoos and theatres are not
appropriate places to take your pet with you. Most hotels and
accommodations have concerns about pets being left alone in their
facility – noise and disruptions, soiling or destruction of linens
and carpets can deter facilities from permitting pets. A pet sitter
or dog walker is invaluable in ensuring that your pet is cared for
and kept company, preventing these instances from occurring while
you are sightseeing.
Hiring your Pet Sitter - Some Helpful Tips
Book Early
Many professional pet sitters have several clients at a time,
particularly during peak times such as long weekends, Christmas
holidays and March break. Consider searching for and hiring a pet
sitter at least 6 weeks prior to the planned vacation.
Consultation
The pet sitter you choose should be able to come to your hotel and
meet you and  your pet. Observe how the sitter interacts with your
pet, and
how your pet responds to the sitter. Always plan ahead when hiring a
pet sitter –
making last minute arrangements with a new person can be worrisome,
and important details may be overlooked.
The consultation process should be a two-way interview, and can
start from a long distance with telephone calls and faxes.
Information & Contracts
The pet sitter should obtain all necessary information from you
regarding the care of your pet. Ensure the sitter pays close
attention to details specific to your pet’s care, especially medical
requirements, or basic instructions such as feeding schedules,
favorite toys and activities, etc. The pet sitter should have a
contract to sign, specifying the dates and times covered by the
arrangement and the agreed upon costs. Ensure the forms are filled
out completely, and be forthcoming about all information regarding
your pet. Always leave a phone number at which the pet sitter can
reach you in case of emergency.
Security & Insurance
Talk to your pet sitter about Insurance & Bonding. Ask your pet
sitter who will be making visits, if not them personally, and
arrange to meet the employees or contractors as well. Obtain proof
of insurance in writing.
Emergencies
Ask your pet sitter about emergency plans and veterinary care.
Ensure your pet sitter has coverage arranged for your pet if they
are unable to attend due to unforeseen emergencies or events. Ensure
your pet sitter can obtain veterinary care during their service, and
has transportation available to get to the vet if required. Ask your
pet sitter what veterinarian they plan to utilize.
References
Ask your pet sitter for references from current or previous clients.
Supplies
Leave pet food and supplies such as extra dishes, spoons, and treats
in the open, or make sure your pet sitter knows where you keep
supplies. Ensure enough supplies are available so the sitter will
not have to run out and buy more. Leave items such as plastic bags,
buckets of litter, scoops etc. in a convenient place so the sitter
will not have to search for it.
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Many
Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers in Canada are committed to ongoing
professional development. Membership organizations, such as the
All Canadian Pet Services Network (www.acpsn.com),
are committed to ensuring professionalism within the pet sitting
industry. Adherence to Professional Standards and participation
in an Accreditation process and Client Satisfaction Survey
program are just some of ways ACPSN members enhance their skills
and service. |
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Photo Credits:
Top Panel - Yvette De Verteuil, Tail Blazers (Toronto, ON)
Middle of Page - Kristin Schumacher, Kitty Kompany Pet Sitting
Services
(New Westminster,
BC)
Bottom of Page - Erika Talerico, 3 Leaves Pet Services (Vancouver,
BC) |
