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Don't leave your pup with Cruella

There are many occasions when we, as pet owners, wish we could be in two places at once. It would be great to have the flexibility to check in on our pets during the day, but that's not always possible.

Hiring a pet sitter gives you the peace of mind that your animal is being looked after and getting some well-deserved attention while you're out. See these profiles of pet sitters on Kudzu.com.

• Exercise

Dog walkers usually provide daily walks for groups of dogs. Before hiring someone, confirm how many dogs will be on the leash with yours. The smaller a group, the better.

Also, verify that all the dogs will be of approximately the same size (you don't want your Chihuahua trying to keep up with a pack of Great Danes!). Confirm whether your dog walker is knowledgeable in dog behavior and can diffuse any problems between dogs quickly and easily.


• Companionship and feeding

Some pet sitters offer house calls during which they check on your pet(s), freshen water bowls, refill food bowls, provide potty breaks and give your pets attention. Most pet sitters who offer this service will stay with your pet for about 20 to 30 minutes per visit.


• Long-term care

When you're away for an extended period of time, pet sitters may be an alternative to taking your pet to a kennel. Talk to a pet sitter about what the best arrangement might be for you and your pet. They may opt to visit several times throughout the day. Some pet sitters even offer to stay in your home overnight while you're away.

Regardless of which arrangement you choose, make sure your pet sitter has your emergency contact information just in case he or she needs to reach you during your trip. And remember, your pet sitter should have an outstanding rapport with your pet, carry a professional attitude toward caring for your pet, and earn your trust with every visit.

Comments	| 1-5 of 5 comments | | Show All
speakup on 08.07.2008 at 02:18 AM EDT
The best way to find an in-house sitter is to use someone who has worked for someone you know, but that is not always possible. I have several clients who use me regularly, and most of them called me from a friend's referral. I have provided other clients with several local references. You definitely want to check references. Some of the established companies do a good job of screening, but unfortunately, the sitters receive just a very small portion of their fee.
petsittingbysas on 06.19.2008 at 07:03 PM EDT
There are several things that you need to look for in a sitter. These are just a couple of them. 1. They need to be insured and if they have employees, bonded. I believe there are some insurances that cover theft, Pet Sitters Association has on that seems to be better then being bonded, but you would have to talk to your sitter about that. I'm not really good on the insurance end of things. 2. Go with your gut. If you feel that there is something wrong, or not at ease with the person when you meet them...don't use them! I alsways tell anyone who calls me that if you are out and worring about your pets, your sitter is not doing their job. As long as you are comfortable and at ease with them, then go with them. If not, go with someone else. I also recommend that you talk to several sitters and check up on them. I always give references when I meet a client for the first time. And soon I will be giving out a background check as well. 3. That leads to another suggestion, either do background checks and/or use a nanny camera. I know that several opf my clients use them and if you're concerned than that is one way to help with that. I hope this helped answer your questions.:)
TomnGwinnett on 05.30.2008 at 09:11 PM EDT
I’ve used a pet sitter for the past few years; both of my dogs don’t do well in boarding places. The one and only time I used a boarding facility one of my dogs was injured do to a fight and I had a costly vet bill when I went to pick them up! When looking for a pet sitter make sure that the company is licensed, bonded and insured. There is a wonderful organization in Georgia called the Georgia Network of Professional Pet Sitters. All of there members are required to be bonded and insured in order to be a member. I found my sitter from there website. I don’t know what I would do without my pet sitter.
rosegirljlv13 on 02.22.2008 at 06:24 PM EST
I only over night pet sit and you have me lumped in the pet sitting section is there any way I can be separated because that is a special job. It's JUDY'S PUPPY LOVE.
nols98 on 03.29.2007 at 04:09 PM EDT
Whoever uses in-house pet sitters ... how can you be confident the sitter you hire won't come into your house and steal something valuable, but something you may not notice missing for months?
	| 1-5 of 5 comments | | Show All

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