Pet Care & Services

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

A. The most common jobs I do for my human and pet clients include in home pet care visits. We visit the client’s homes, feed, and water, socialize, exercise, and dog walking, cat care as well as a variety of other small exotic pets, birds and fish. As a Certified Pet Care Technician since 1999 we give a variety of special medications and health care treatment and are certified in pet first aid and CPR. We also do some light grooming and general training. Yards are scooped on a regular basis; litter boxes are scooped regularly and every pet living condition are kept clean and healthy. The client’s homes are monitored and security practices are routine. While clients are away we also will water plants, take out trash and recycling as well as bring in papers and mail. We have a Latchkey day care pet sitting visits for clients that are at work and have pets that need potty breaks or special care while the owner is at work and can't get away to care for their pets. We keep a recorded journal on a daily basis for each visit. Clients may receive an update by either text per visit, daily, weekly or by email at no charge. Our clients choose if and how they are contacted, they also may choose to call, email or text us at a time convenient to their schedule.

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

A. Make sure they are experienced with animals, the more the better. Pet sitters don't have to be certified, but having certifications in pet care, first aid and CPR is very important. Animals communicate in another language and the person caring for your pets should have an indication when a pet is having problems. There are signs pets give when they are sad, happy, mad, when they don't feel good and when they are very ill. Knowing the person taking care of your pet has a longterm bond with animals and does have these skills will make your time away much more relaxing. I think of Pet Sitting as I do Child Care, and you should feel comfortable with your sitters personality. You definately want some one you trust in your home and with your pets. Ask for a background check and make sure they are insured.

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

A. "Kennel Cough" does not come from a kennel. The "kennel cough" which is actually the Bordatella vaccination protects your pet from some strains of upper respiratory coughs, not all strains are covered. It is like kids with a cold, school, parties, playing with others and so on. Pets can contract illnesses by being around other sick animals that could be anywhere, the park, the pet friendly patio, the kennel, the groomer and the vet clinics.
Scooping after each time your pet goes "potty" is a good health indicator. If you are not scooping your back yard and just mowing over it, it is harmful to our water supply. It is not fertilizer. There are ways now to dispose of your pets waste in a much more environmentally conscious way.