If you're looking for a reliable pet sitter, you'll want to hire someone you can trust. But how do you know what to look for? With these five qualities in mind, you'll be able to hire a reliable and responsible pet sitter.
Choosing The Perfect Pet Sitter
Look for these qualities when hiring a pet sitter.
1. Honest And Passionate
The best pet sitters will not only be honest, but passionate about what they do. A dishonest pet sitter that doesn't care about the job or the animals likely won't give your pets the best care available. They might even fail to call you, or think up an excuse if something goes wrong. If something does happen to go wrong, it's best to make sure that your pet is in the hands of an honest, responsible individual that cares about your pet.
2. Insured
For the safety of you and your pet, you'll want to make sure that the pet sitter you hire is licensed, bonded, and insured. A pet sitter being licensed, bonded, and insured will show that the pet sitter is serious about their business, and guarantee protection for both you and the sitter should something go wrong.
3. Understands Pet Behavior
The right pet sitter will be friendly, and understand the way your pet behaves. For instance, if you own a dog, they should be familiar with the way a dog behaves. Furthermore, they should show a willingness to learn about your dog's quirks: how it behaves around other dogs, how it handles noise, etc. Ideally, they should be familiar with your dog's personality, likes, dislikes, and fears before you hire them.
Just in case something bad does happen, the pet sitter you hire should have some basic medical training. This includes first aid and CPR. They should also have a plan in mind if something does go wrong. They should also be ready to call you and administer care to your pet. Furthermore, they should follow any instructions you give them regarding emergencies and care of your animal.
5. Flexible
The final quality your pet sitter should have is flexibility. Don't hire a sitter that has a long list of things that they're not willing to do. It indicates that the sitter won't give your pet the best care available. In some cases, pet sitters will use it as a way to add extra charges to your bill if they end up doing something on their list of "no's". The pet sitter you hire should be willing to follow your instructions exactly, and offer the best care to your pet, especially in an emergency.
With these five qualities in mind, you'll be able to find a fantastic pet sitter to take care of your pet while you're away. Be sure to interview potential pet sitters, and arrange a meet and greet with your pet. This way, you'll be able to see how they interact with each other, and if they're a good match.
