Reliable & Loving Pet Sitting & Dog Walking

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Make sure they are insured, licensed and especially bonded if they have contractors or employees. At least a couple of years of professional pet sitting experience is helpful. Provides references and is reliable and trustworthy. Good communication, verbal and written is essential. Answers calls and email promptly and is customer service oriented. Learns as much as possible about your pets and your preferences.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. l. Are you insured or bonded?
2. Licensed?
3. How many years of professional pet sitting experience do you have and what types of animals do you care for?
4. Do you belong to any pet sitting organizations or pet care networks?
5. Do you have an emergency plan?
6. How will I know how my pets are doing while I am away?
7. How do you handle my key?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Is their pet comfortable being left alone for several hours without constant company? How many visits a day would they prefer? Do they have an extra key ready to give to the pet care provider at the initial meeting? Do they have emergency contacts and phone numbers available in case there is a problem and they can not be easily reached? Have they filled out the pet profile so that the pet care provider will know as much as possible about the pet so she/he can care for it in the best way possible?

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. What I like most about my job is that I love meeting people and especially their animals. I have been an animal lover my entire life and to me, spending time with animals doesn't feel like work because it is what I love to do. Working with animals is my passion and I feel very lucky to be spending my days interacting with them.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. Yes, I attend conferences when offered and I am CPR/lst aid trained. I attend monthly network meetings with fellow pet sitters and work very hard to learn as much as I can about the animals I care for so they are comfortable and happy when their owners are away.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Join several professional organizations that support the pet sitting industry. Learn as much as you can by working with someone who has a pet sitting business. Attend local networking meetings and get to know other pet sitters in your area so you can share ideas, have an emergency back up, etc. Attend conferences, learn pet cpr/first aid, volunteer at animal rescue organizations and put your heart and soul into providing the best care possible!