Sometimes, it is not possible to bring your pet along on a trip. Perhaps the trip is last minute and the airlines do not have room for your pet or perhaps when you do not have accomodations for your pet once you arrive.
Whatver the reason for leaving your pet behind, there are professional pet sitters who will take care of your pet and allow you to leave knowing your pet is in good hands.
Trusted Pet Sitters’ Duties Go Beyond Care of Animals
Have you ever wondered what professional pet sitters actually do? What services they provide? The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) can provide the answers.
Professional pet sitters are busy professionals who are trusted with the key to your home and the care of your domesticated family members. Serious professionals have business licenses and carry liability insurance. They have expenses that include travel costs from assignment to assignment.
Increasing numbers of people bring pet sitters to their homes instead of taking their pets to boarding kennels when they go on vacation. Pet sitters differ from boarding kennel providers in that they look after the animal at home, staying in their familiar environment and maintaining their diet and exercise routines. Pet owners need not go through the ordeal of transporting unhappy pets and worrying that they might be exposed to other animals’ illnesses.
Pet sitters also typically bring in the mail, turn lights on and off, water plants, and give a house a lived-in look, in addition to walking dogs and playing with kitties. People who work all day also hire pet sitters to take their dogs on walks or on a visit to the dog park.
Hiring a pet sitter is a serious process, however. Make sure the person you choose is trained and professional. He/she will not only be responsible for your pet, but also will have regular access to your home.
Once you have identified a potential pet sitter, we recommend that you:
§ Develop a set of questions and conduct a thorough interview
§ Ask for references
§ Request proof of bonding and liability insurance coverage
§ Make sure he/she interacts well with your pet
Services and fees can very widely, so be sure to determine what your needs are and exactly how much services will cost.
The NAPPS Web site offers a nationwide referral network as a valuable online resource for locating pet sitters in all areas of the country. Accessible directly from the NAPPS Web site, www.petsitters.org, this free service provides contact information for all NAPPS member pet sitters and pet sitting companies in the area. With one simple search, pet owners can learn all about the services provided, and even details regarding the sitter’s experience and expertise. So go ahead, enjoy some time away from home and feel confident that your pet will be well taken care of.
** article courtesy of NAPPS
NAPPS is a national trade association dedicated to promoting the concept of in-home pet care, supporting the professionals engaged in at-home pet care, promoting the welfare of animals and improving and expanding the industry of pet sitting. NAPPS provides valuable credibility, networking and education to help foster the success of their members.
For more information on NAPPS or to locate a professional pet sitter, visit: www.petsitters.org or contact the national headquarters: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel, N.J. 08054; Phone: (856) 439-0324; Fax: (856) 439-0525; Email: napps@ahint.com.
