Our pets are very much an extension of our family and we want them to receive the same level of care and attention from the pet sitter that we employ as they do from us.
There are many different dog walkers and pet sitters to choose from, and picking one that you, and your pets, like can feel quite daunting. Here are my top tips when looking to employ someone to look after your pets.
Availability
Are they available for the dates and times that you require? Are there times when they are not available? Do they have cover for personal holidays?
Booking process and flexibility
How do you make a booking? Do they accept last-minute bookings? Can they be flexible if things change? How and when do you pay? Do they have a contract?
Many pet sitters will also have their own cancellation policy, so make sure you are happy with this before confirming your booking.
Experience
How much experience does your pet care provider have? Do they have experience looking after your type of pet, such as nervous or shy pets, small or big dog breeds, chickens, or other animals?
Whilst experience is not a necessary qualification for a pet sitter and everyone has to start somewhere, always make sure that you are happy that your chosen pet carer is confident and comfortable with your requirements for the care of your pet.
Qualifications
Formal qualifications may not be a necessity, but they may help you feel at ease that your chosen pet sitter has the knowledge of services that may be important to you.
Do they have any animal-related qualifications? Animal First Aid? Animal training or behaviour? These types of qualifications can be very helpful in your pet care provider’s ability to assess and make decisions for the very best care of your pet.
Insurance
Do they have adequate insurance in the case of any emergencies? You should feel reassured that all eventualities are covered.
DBS check
A DBS check, or Disclosure and Barring Service check, gives you the peace of mind that your chosen pet sitter does not have a criminal record.
Do they offer a meet and greet service?
Everyone is different and choosing someone to come into your home and look after your pets can be uniquely personal.
Many pet care providers specialise in certain areas and place importance on different aspects, such as dog walking, cat care, training, big dog breeds and more. Make a note of what is important to you and find the provider that ticks all the boxes for you.
Don’t be influenced by your neighbour who gets unlimited photos of their pet posing if what is important to you and your pet is crazy playtime with little time for photos.
Trust your instincts when you meet them. The care and welfare of your pets when you need help should be as important to them as it is to you.
At Woofs and Purrs we pride ourselves in offering a high-quality, personalised service and always strive to maintain an individual approach to our clients. Each person and pet is different and we enjoy getting to know each and developing long-standing relationships.
As long as you and your pets are happy, we are happy 🐾