Pet Sitting

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Pet sitting of course and making sure that the owners home remains secure when I leave, whether it be a daily sit or an overnighter. My website and information sheet (8 1/2 x 11) explain my duties. Mail pick up, library books returned, managing all the duties given to me on the Customer Checklist for the care of their pets.

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

A. Make sure they know I am insured, bonded and my motto: "Comfort for your pet and care of your home". Also, to review my website for rates, pictures, testimonials and about me and my 2 rescue kitties. I appreciate any and all question's to me about my "in home pet sitting service" and how I will make the best sitter for them.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. How is that I understand animals the way I do. Knowing their body language, eyes, cries, barks, and recognizing what they mean. I am not an animal whisperer by any means. What I do is just common sense.

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

A. Asking questions is essential.. Making sure they are bonded, insured and have references for me to call or review on a website as a prospective client.

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

A. again, making sure that I am who they want and need to take care of their animals. Making sure that I am insured and bonded. Do they know anyone who has utilized my pet sitting service? See out their reference or review my website.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Because I truly care about animals. I have had animals for most of my childhood and adult life. Because my clients have testified to the fact that I am very good, diligent, true to my word at making sure their pet family members are cared for the way I care for mine. My rates are some of the lowest in the valley; I give discounts some other sitters may not such as those actively serving in the military. I give "in home" service at the pets home. That way they remain in the comfort of their home which keeps them content while "mom and dad" are gone.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Of course, #1 are the animals I care for. The second is having met their parents through a meet, greet and get acquainted. I love the fact I am basically my own boss, saying yes or not to a sit. However, if I am called or get an email, that means my services are needed. Very seldom have I declined a sit. When I get an email/call, I know my services are needed and I love to answer the call to duty!

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Why did I get into pet sitting? Very simply put, I was raised in a house full of animals..hamsters, dogs, cats, birds, turtles, fish. There were only short periods of time when I didn't have an animal or love a friends. Are you insured? of course. Even though this is a "job" such as it is taking care of things I love, I also take my duties seriously. These people are entrusting me with their most precious items; home and pet family members.
Then, what are my rates, how did I get my kitties, where I live, things I do..

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. No, not really. I have sat for so many different species, fish, ferrets, dogs, cats, birds it is really hard to pinpoint a favorite or funny happening. Well, maybe this is funny; it is a picture in your mind story! The other day I sat for Denali and I tossed a tennis ball covered toy to her and we played tug of war and I toss again when she let it go. Unfortunately, it landed in a pile of her dried "poopie". She walked over to it, smelled the toy and gingerly picked it up by a loose piece of the material and brought it back to me..I was laughing so hard and related the incident via email to her owners.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That what I do is only for them and their pets. Keeping their pets happy and their home safe and secure is first and foremost. Animals are not all that easy to care for; some may be on medication, deaf or sight impaired. I don't treat any of them differently. I show/give love as if they were normal. Maybe a bit more delicately, patiently, gentler with older or disabled ones. Pet sitting is not just going in cleaning a box, adding food or water. It is spending time with them to keep them happy and comfortable.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I needed to fulfill a need that I no longer got from working in an office and not having the boss respect my abilities. Having been around animals most of my life, gave me an opening that I took. I researched online, contacted other sitters and then set my rates, started a website did a sit for a friend and the rest is history! I am proud of what I have accomplished in a relatively short period of time. I have a wonderful steady clientele and new ones are added every so often.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. A "9" night overnight and daily visit for two of the most wonderful dogs I have ever taken care of. Loving, good listeners and playful. I loved being awakened by Maggie's sweet little kisses on my nose and letting me know it was time to go outside. Her buddy Winston laid on the floor and kept watch over us. We took walks together, played and Winston was awesome about his PB (or poopy butt) clean up. Pick him up a special way, into the sink, clean up, wash and dry and down for a treat. When I came back for payment, the dogs proved to their owners that I treated them well by jumping all over me and giving me kisses.

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

A. I know a vet back in New Jersey and he is sending me updates on pet care constantly and I use many of his suggestions on my website "The Corner". I always let those who read it to make sure they check with their personal vet before doing anything Aunt Sassy Debbie or Dr. J suggests. I research online about meds, conditions/illnesses and if I've never sat for an animal before, like Ferrets or Macaws, I find out about them online.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. I really don't think so. Animals are animals, yes, but, it is always in the general care and how they are treated that will make them the best pet you can have for their lifetime.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. I designed hat pins for a sale which were red, purple & pink as I am a Red Hatter, & Queen of my Red Hat Chapter. They consisted of different beads, gems & little charms on each one. I thoroughly enjoyed putting them together, deciding which bead, charm or bauble looked best. Several times I had to take them apart because I didn't like the "look". It took time, about 5-7 minutes each to put together & the cost was about $1.50 each; I made 36.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Actually, my rates are very reasonable for the amount of time and care given at a job. The rates are posted on my website for all to read and there is nothing hidden. I don't charge for initial consult, canceled sits, short notice sit, key pickup/garage door opener/return. There are those out there that charge for more than say 2-3 dogs. I don't. Plus, I have those discounts.

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

A. First off, you really have to love animals. Being able to adjust/change your life around to suit your clients needs. They need me; that is why they call/email me. This can be a 24-7 job. Such as overnights; those take away from your personal time with family and friends or just "me" time. But, you can have that me time while caring for a pet. I have 1 client who has a wonderful view of the valley, so I sit outside with the dogs and my lap top and enjoy the city lights. Also, check rates, services of other sitters as I did. Make sure you get insured. But, most importantly and I cannot stress this enough, you have to love animals.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Why did I think I would be a great pet sitter? Because I have loved animals all my life and felt a great void when I didn't have a pet. Now I have 2 rescue kitties and 1 is my shadow. I don't go anywhere and 99% of the time she is close behind me.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Why did I do a website? To put myself and my business out in cyber land. I am proud of what I have done and want everyone to share in my experiences and pride in my work. When I have finished a sit (for the first time), I leave a letter for the owners thanking them for the opportunity to care for their "kids". I explain what I did while they were gone and took pictures of them. Space is left for them to send a testimonial of my services and to check yes/no if I may post the pictures. After I receive the letter, I post their testimonial about me and pictures for others to see. To me it is important if the client can take the time to complete the testimonial part, I can share with them their pets picture for as long as they remain clients. Other clients can view them, too and see who is new to my "family" of pets.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What do you get for my fees? Prompt, reliable, caring, loving, professional service that is designed with your pet & home in mind. I have revised my Customer Checklist at least 5 times to make sure I have all the pertinent information needed to care for your pet & home. My clients are provided with an 8 1/2 x 11 flyer to take with them which has my information IE: email, cell phone & website, in case they are delayed coming home. A business card can get lost easily; a full sheet of paper cannot.