8 Ways To Select A Quality Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company
8 Tips to Choosing a Local Pet Sitter
Plano residents have a fine choice for daily dog walking service and pet sitters. We live in a fast-paced world with many responsibilities. Sometimes these responsibilities take us away from our pets and we need someone to take care of them while we travel or need to be away from our homes. Instead of boarding your furry pal at a kennel or asking a friend or neighbor to look after them, why not choose the best alternative which is an at home pet sitter. In home pet sitting services are widely available and offer your pet the familiarity of their home environment and normal routine. How does one go about finding a reputable pet sitter service and what are some important things to keep in mind?
Look for an in house pet sitter in the right places. First, ask friends, family, and neighbors for recommendations. Many neighbors have probably gone through the same situation as you and can be a great source of information. If you do have neighbors that have used a full time pet sitter and are happy with their service, you should call and talk to the business or individual. They would already know the area and it might be easier to add you to their schedule since they have pre-existing clients nearby. We recommend you consider using a service that is insured, bonded, and licensed, if one is required. Ask if the company runs background checks on their employees; especially if they are given a key to your home.
Another good option to find the best pet sitter is to use google and search using a term such as “in home pet sitting near me” or “pet sitting plano”. You are likely to get many results with this type of search. If the pet sitter has a website, take a look at their page and make sure you like what you see. If they do not have a website, see if you can find any other information about them online, such as a Facebook page, and verify that you would like to take the next step in finding out if they are a good fit for you and your pet. We recommend considering a service that loves pets and has earned a reputation for quality care.
Regardless of whether the pet sitter is an individual or a business made up of many individuals, it is important to always check and verify references, check insurance, review their training, and possibly perform a criminal background check, or determine if the company has one on file. Any reputable animal sitting company will be more than happy to provide you with references that you can talk to about the quality of the care they have received. Be sure to ask questions about punctuality, friendliness, level of care, and any other concerns you many have.
After you have narrowed down your choices of local pet sitters, it is necessary to consider some things that not many people may know about. You should make sure that the company or individual is fully bonded and insured. This is critical as accidents may occur and you want to be assured that you, your pet, and the caregiver have proper protection if anything should happen.
It is equally important that you make sure the pet watching service you are considering runs regular criminal background checks on their employees. This employee will have access to your pet, your home, and all that is within it, so knowing that the employee has a clean criminal background is definitely peace of mind when it comes to your home and safety.
Another characteristic of quality sitting companies is the ability to always be able to get in touch with them or a representative at the business in case of an emergency. If you have an urgent matter regarding your home or pet, you need to be assured that you can reach someone and will be communicated with in a timely manner.
One of the most crucial steps in choosing a pet sitting professional is setting up an in home meeting with them so that you can get to know them better. Take this time to ask more specific questions, show them around your home, and personally see how they interact with your pet. This is also the perfect time to let them know about any special needs your pets have, or if they have any routines that you would like followed. Also, ask them what kind of training or experience they have in taking care of animals. Determine if this is someone out to make a quick buck or if they love animals, and earning compensation is secondary.
When you find a local pet sitter that meets all of your criteria, be sure they have all the information about you, your home, and especially your pet, to ensure a positive experience. They will need all of your contact information including any emergency contact numbers, your pet’s routine and any feeding instructions, any information about your home that is relevant, and of course your veterinarian’s contact information.
Finding pet watching services that meet all of your criteria doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following these simple but thorough tips, you can be well on your way to finding the best Plano pet sitter for your pet.