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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Finding the Perfect Pet Sitter for Your Family




















By Jen Newton

Looking to take a vacation, but can't take your pet with you? Many pet owners like to hire a pet sitter to take care of their animal until they return. This is great for the animal, because it gets to stay in familiar surroundings and doesn't have to endure the pain of staying at a pet boarding facility or kennel. Choosing a good pet sitter is very important - you don't want just anyone coming into your home.

It isn't hard to understand why pet sitting has become so popular. A lot of people have the occasion to travel frequently, whether for business or pleasure, and it isn't always possible to take a pet along for the ride. Having a sitter come into your home is a pleasant alternative to taking your pet to a boarding facility, where they can be exposed to disease and an unpleasant environment.

There are advertisements for pet sitters all over. You can find them in the Yellow Pages, online, and placed on bulletin boards in pet stores. A good idea is to ask your friends, family, acquaintances, and your veterinarian for a few recommendations.

You will without doubt want to talk to some potential pet sitters (in your home and in person) before employing any of them. It is particularly important for your pet to have a chance to meet any possible pet sitters and see what their reaction is to them.

When interviewing, ask them why they feel they are qualified. Many will respond by saying they like to work with animals, or something similar. This is a good start, but trustworthiness is something you can't establish from this alone.

Find out more about their experience with animals. Are they able to recognize the initial symptoms of illness, and discern when an normally healthy pet is hurting? This might seem elementary, but it really takes someone with experience. Just loving animals is great, but a good sitter should have a broader background and some knowledge of animal health.

Ask these questions of any prospective sitter that you might hire:

How many times will they visit your pet each day?

What services will they perform in your home? Feeding and providing water is obvious, but what about playing with the pets or walking with them outside (if it is a dog). If the pet's stomach is upset and it vomits, will they take care of removing the mess?

A reliable pet sitter, when you find one, is a jewel. Knowing there is someone taking care of your pet that you can trust is priceless. Do your research and choose your pet sitter carefully - it does make a difference.

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