Finding the right pet sitter for you & your pets
What You Should Know Before Hiring a Pet Sitter
Just as some people are “dog people” and others are “cat” or “bird” people, there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to finding the right pet sitter to meet the specific needs of you and your pet.
The pet-sitting industry has grown in recent years. This has provided pet owners with many options for choosing a professional pet sitter, whether you are looking for cat care, dog sitting, exotic bird care, pet fish care or anything else in the way of in-home pet-care services.
With more pet-sitting options and numerous online pet-sitter directories, you will need to be more prudent in your search for reliable pet care. Practice due diligence to ensure that you are using the services of a true professional pet sitter.
Print out this handy Pet Sitter Interview Checklist that will provide you with all the questions you need to ask to ensure you are getting the right pet sitter for your pets.
Finding a pet sitter to provide the right pet-care services requires an investment of time—time to do phone interviews, conduct an in-your-home meeting and thoroughly check references on those you’re considering hiring.
Find your local PSI member professional pet sitter.
What you need to know about pet sitter insurance and bonding
PSI has offered its members a complete pet-sitter insurance and bonding protection program since 1995. All active U.S. and Canadian PSI members are able to purchase comprehensive coverage designed specifically for pet sitters. It is extremely important for you, as a pet-sitting client, to be aware of the primary differences in insurance policies when it comes to protecting your pets and property. Confirming that a pet sitter's insurance policy includes care, custody or control coverage is extremely important.
PSI members in the U.S. who purchase insurance through PSI's Preferred Provider Business Insurers of the Carolinas can show you their insurance card for proof of coverage.
Using a Certified Professional Pet Sitter
When you engage the services of a pet sitter who has obtained the CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter® designation, you are gaining access to someone who has demonstrated the in-depth knowledge and skills necessary for providing superior in-home pet care.
When you see the CPPS logo, you can rest assured your pet sitter has successfully passed rigorous testing on companion animal care and business practices.
To select a Certified Professional Pet Sitter, look for the special icon when viewing member profiles on PSI's Pet Sitter Locator.
Finding the perfect pet sitter may take time.
Remember, it may take a little time up front to determine the pet-sitting services best suited for your situation. Once you’ve made this match, we hope you’ll agree with the hundreds of thousands of pet owners who say, “My pet sitter is worth their weight in gold!”
