Home, Sweet Home!

Thanks To Professional Pet Sitters!

More people are turning to professional pet sitters to assist in the care of their precious family members. PSI pet sitters currently make more than 10 million visits to pet owning homes each year.

 

Most pets adjust better to their owner’s absence and experience less anxiety and stress when they can remain in their home under the care of a loving professional. Pet sitters make this possible with daily visits to your home. In addition to meals, exercise, playtime and cleaning, pet sitters may also administer medications, walk dogs, perform overnight visits as well as any other pet care duties. Pet sitters also provide vital home care and crime deterrent services such as mail and newspaper pick up, plant care and watering, rotating lights, opening and closing blinds, and placing trash outside for pick up. Most importantly, you will have peace of mind knowing that a knowledgeable, caring professional is caring for your home and pet.

 

Locating a Pet Sitter: With this Web site (www.petsit.com) Pet Sitters International (PSI) makes it easy to find a pet sitter with tailor-made services to care for your pet while you are away. The PSI Locator Web contains a complete listing of our 7,400+ members worldwide. Simply enter your ZIP code, postal code or country and you will have a complete list of pet sitters in your area in a matter of seconds. Before hiring a pet sitter, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. The services offered, as well as the fees charged, may vary widely. It’s also important to consider such issues as whether the pet sitter is bonded, has liability insurance, is willing to provide references and interacts well with your pet. Pet Sitters International was founded to support, promote and recognize excellence in pet sitting. Most pet sitters who join our association want to excel in their chosen profession and we ask that all members follow PSI’s Quality Standards of Excellence. Click here for a complete list of these standards.

 

Still Undecided?  Here's some more food for thought:

Top Ten Reasons NOT to Travel with Your Pet

by Thom Somes, Pet Tech Inc . (www.pettech.net)

10 Accommodations. Read the fine print. Some hotels allow pets, BUT the disclaimer is the pet must not be left alone in the room. This can make going out for dinner or to a theme park with the kids impossible. Check in advance and don’t try and sneak the pet in. Remember, you are responsible for any damage your pet may cause. If your pet is going to be staying alone in the hotel room Fluffy or Fido might as well stay at home.

9 Plane Trips. Check well in advance for airline requirements and conditions for pets traveling with you. Pets will be required to have a travel crate and recent health certificate from your veterinarian. Be warned, some airlines will not accept pets as cargo at certain times of the year. Even with a reservation, airlines can refuse transporting your pet if conditions are not safe. Cargo holds are not heated, cooled or sound proof and can cause possible death, injury and stress on your pet. Beware of medicating your cat. High altitudes can have an amplifying effect on “kitty downers”. Unless you can guarantee conditions and book a direct flight, let your pet stay home and watch the Travel Channel.

8 Car Trips. Numerous dangers exist for your pets inside and outside your vehicle. The first one that comes to mind is the danger of heat stroke, but other dangers can include air bags, unrestrained pets becoming projectiles hurting themselves and potentially others, getting hit by a car and insects or debris flying into the eyes and ears of pets whose heads are hanging out the window. All pets should be crated or restrained in a harness while riding in a vehicle.

7 Identification. Trying to find your lost pet in a strange city will ruin your vacation. Pets lost away from their home are at greater risk because they truly are lost. Strange sights and sounds disorient your pet, causing it to act in ways that put it at greater risk of being killed, hurt or picked up by strangers.

6 Behavior. Well trained and socialized pets tend to stay out of harm’s way. But, the stresses of traveling can test even the best-trained and well socialized pet. Sometimes the best command you can give your pet is STAY—at home!

5 Food & Water. Drinking local water while traveling and changes in diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Unless you are prepared to travel with food and water, keep your pet home.

4 Dangers, Diseases & Illness. This ranges from allergies to ticks, depending on how you are traveling and the place to which you travel. Mosquitoes can carry heartworm, poison ivy on your pet’s coat can get onto you, skunks, snake bite, poisoning and giardia are just a few of the many hazards in store for the unprepared pet traveler.

3 Leashes & Laws. All states have laws regarding your pets and you are responsible for obeying all of them. Every state has “Leash Laws” that are ticketable offenses. Keep your pets on a leash and obey the law or keep them at home.

2 Emergencies & Veterinarians. Knowing pet first aid is important to your pet’s surviving a medical emergency. However, your pet could require hospitalization for a period longer than your planned stay. Trying to find an emergency animal facility while dealing with your hurt and injured pet is another way to ruin your vacation. Keep your pet safely at home.

1 You have a Pet Sitters International Member caring for your pet! Hire a professional petsitter for immeasurable peace of mind while you are on vacation. PSI members can give your pets consistent, personal care and attention on a daily basis. They will even leave Animal Planet on the TV for them!