6 Important Questions To Ask Before You Engage

~Pet Sitters:  Find the Perfect One for You~

by Amber Kingsley | Last Updated April 5, 2021

Not long after my Father had passed away, I got my Mother a
little Shih Tzu puppy for her birthday. Mostly for
companionship, since I was worried about her living by herself and being
lonely.

Although I did my research and homework about adopting this particular
breed, I had no idea what an excellent choice I had made until they bonded.
This little purebred is practically perfect for her in every way and has also
become her shadow and vice versa.

Later on, I got her a
specific Shih Tzu related book for Christmas, a complex guide to the ownership of these precious little puppies.
This helped to affirm what I already knew, these little furballs own you and not the other way around.

Shih Tzu like other little furballs own you and not the other way around.

Having a life-long relationship with my loving and caring
mother, it was no big surprise to me to find out that she was doting on this
little one almost non-stop.

She takes him for his daily walk, regular, annual
trips to see the veterinarian, semi-monthly visits to the groomer and even has
a professional “babysitting” service to
care for him while she’s away (even though I’ve offered to do it for free).

But then again, when I was a youngster, she wouldn’t just
let anyone watch over me. Potential babysitters had to go through a grueling
process to meet her high expectations of care and love necessary during her
absence.

As pet lovers, we’ll  agree that
this is an important decision, and we
need to ask ourselves many important questions when we surrender the care of
our beloved animals to another individual.

In this light, here’s
six points to ponder when hiring a pet sitter for our four-legged best friend:

#1 – What Types of Other Services do they Offer?

While traditional kid sitters may plop down in front of the
TV while our children are at play, when it comes to watching our pets, they
need more than a casual visit and a bowl of food. We need to know that they’ll
be exercised, played with, paid attention to, groomed daily and all their needs
are met accordingly.

#2 – What if my Pet
has Special Needs?

Some four-legged critters need special care and attention
since they may have a medical condition that requires medication. Maybe it’s an
insulin shot for diabetes or simply a vitamin extract that’s added to their
food. In any event, your professional care provider shouldn’t have a problem
with these unique circumstances.

#3 – Do they have all
the necessary paperwork in place?

Answering a question with multiple questions, are they
licensed, bonded and insured? Can they provide references? Do they have a business license in your city, county or
state? Do they have an agreement or contract that needs to be signed?

Does your Pet Sitter Love Animals?

#4 – Does Your Pet Sitter Have Questions for you?

While you’re inquiring about them, they should also be
asking you some important questions about your pet. This will show you that
they care just as much about your animal as you. If you forget about an
important piece of information, they should pick up on this potentially
dangerous predicament and be prepared in case you forgot something.

#5 – What Happens in
the Case of an Emergency?

Naturally you’ll give them your veterinarian’s contact
information, but what happens if they’re unavailable or something happens
outside of regular business hours, do they have a backup plan in case of an
emergency? They should provide you with an alternative method for giving your
pet a practical solution for an unforeseen event.

#6 – Are they Good with Animals?

This may sound like a ridiculous question to ask, but you
never know, some businesses are just out for a quick buck and don’t have staff
that are particularly pet friendly. Visit their website and you should see
pictures of the people who are working for them playing with animals. Even
better, you should schedule a visit with the person that will be providing your
pet with their primary care and see if they make a connection.

Having a professional pet sitter is a great alternative to
boarding them at a kennel or entrusting their care to a friend or family
member. You’ll get some tremendous peace of mind knowing that you’re leaving
your best friend in the most qualified care available.

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