How to Select a Pet Sitter or Dog Walker
How to choose a pet sitter or dog walker in Media
Your pets are your babies! So, how do you decide who to trust with their care, especially after scrolling through dozens of online recommendations?
Here are some essential things to look for to make sure your pets receive safe, reliable care.
What to look for
Insurance and Bonding
A pet sitter should be insured and bonded to protect both you and your home. This provides you with peace of mind in the event of accidents, injuries, or damage.
Pet Care Experience
Reputable sitters should have happy clients who can vouch for their reliability and excellent care. They should be experienced with general pet care and behavior, and know how to recognize if something is wrong.
Meet-and-Greet
Before hiring, you must meet in person to observe how your pets interact. A good sitter will ask lots of questions about your pet’s routine, health, and personality.
Backup Plan
Life happens, and you should always ask what their plan is if they get sick or have an emergency and can’t make their visits.
Communication
Find out how often they send updates and photos, and through what method (text, app, email). Consistent communication helps you stay connected while you’re away and is absolutely crucial for your peace of mind.
Red Flags to Avoid
No Service Agreement
No Website
Someone who just has a Facebook page or a picture of a business card may only be doing pet sitting as a side gig. These individuals may be great sitters, but they may not have experience handling emergencies or insurance coverage.
Overlook professionalism.
Look for things like how long they’ve been in business. This reveals how seriously they take the responsibility.
Cheaper Price
Pet care is a personal service, and knowledge and experience is worth paying for.
Final Thought
The right sitter should make you (and your pets) feel comfortable and confident. Trust your instincts, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to take your time when making a decision. The goal is peace of mind so that you can enjoy your time away from home without worry or guilt.
Stephanie Savy,
Owner and Founder of Steph’s Pet Sitting, Media, PA