Advice From Your Pet Sitter

Advice From Your Pet Sitter

Pre-Trip Preparations to Help Us Do the Best Job Possible

• Set thermostats or AC units/fans at temperatures that will be comfortable for your pets. Leave operating instructions for adjustments.

• Leave payment for assignment for us to collect on the first visit.
• Stock up on enough paper towels, pet food, kitty litter, medication etc. to last your entire trip. Consider leaving extra supplies in case you are delayed. Fees will be charged if we have to 'shop' for supplies.
• Clean the litter boxes and fill with fresh litter before leaving.
• Count heads just before leaving.
• Inform neighbors who may be looking out for your property that a pet sitter will be making visits to your home.
• Remember to leave your emergency contact numbers for us.
• If you have a security alarm system, please notify the company that a pet sitter will be coming to your home. Provide us with a password in case the alarm goes off.
• Keep all information in your client profile current; i.e., phone numbers, vet info, etc. You can contact us anytime to verify that your information is correct.
• Please let us know of anyone that has your permission to enter your home while you are away.
• Leave out a FLASHLIGHT in case of power outages. Tell us where the power boxes are located (fuses or switches)
• Be sure to let us know if your departure or return is delayed. Take our phone number with you in case you need to call us.
• Call the office as soon as you return so that we KNOW you are home safely. This call can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  

Carolyn MacDonald, Chateau Chien, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, added some advice to ensure that your pet sitter will always know what is going on with your animals.

Pick a special communication spot, like the kitchen counter or the table. On each visit, the pet sitter looks for notes from the pet owner in that spot and leaves her daily notes there when the visit is completed. Carolyn noted that the things she wants to know include:

• If the pet has been ill, gotten into the garbage or a different food, so that we know to watch for vomiting or diarrhea
• If one pet does not get along with certain other pets, or perhaps children, in the neighborhood
• If the pet’s food has been changed (in case we notice changes in their poops)
• If there are food restrictions, such as only being allowed certain treats because of a food allergy or an intolerance to the treats we may bring with us
• If the pet has had a recent injury, so that we aren't surprised to see sudden limping and then assume something just happened
• If there should be exercise restrictions for any reason
• If the pet does not like to be touched in a certain area or reacts badly if you touch a certain area
• Where to find a coat or sweater for bad weather if the pet needs it
• If the pet has any unusual hang ups, such as kids on skateboards, garbage cans or the noise of garbage trucks, thunder, etc.

These two lists contain important pointers that help you and your pet sitter take the best care possible of your beloved pets. And that’s what you both want!