“Make a List and Check It Twice” When Selecting Pet-Care Services this Holiday Season Advises Pet Sitters International
The holiday season of Thanksgiving through New Year’s is among the busiest travel periods of the year—and Travel Weekly has reported that the 2016 holiday travel season will be marked with travelers booking longer trips. With 65 percent of U.S. households owning a pet, the majority of these holiday travelers are likely to be faced with an important question: “Who’s going to take care of the pet while I’m away?” For these pet owners, Pet Sitters International recommends only using professional pet sitters and encourages pet owners to conduct due diligence when selecting pet-care providers.
“Knowing that a beloved pet can enjoy the stress-free environment of its own home during the holiday season can provide great peace of mind for pet owners,” said Patti Moran, PSI founder and president. “But, it’s important that pet owners understand what to look for and what questions to ask when selecting a professional pet sitter.”
PSI advises pet owners to ask seven important questions when interviewing a potential pet sitter:
- Does the pet sitter have the proper business license for your city or state?
- Is the pet sitter insured and bonded?
- Can the pet sitter provide proof of clear criminal history?
- Does the pet sitter provide client references?
- Will the pet sitter use a pet-sitting services agreement or contract?
- Has the pet sitter completed PSI's CPPS Program and/or has he or she participated in pet-care training, such as pet first aid?
- Is the pet sitter a member of a professional and educational association, such as Pet Sitters International?
Just as some people are “dog people” and others are “cat people” or “bird people,” there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to finding the right pet sitter. PSI recommends that pet owners schedule an initial consultation with a potential pet sitter prior to booking services and offers Pet Sitter Interview checklist on its website to guide pet owners in the interview process.
PSI also warns traveling pet owners that all online pet-sitter directory sites are not created equal.
“Just finding a pet sitter in an online directory—or even on a nationally-publicized site—doesn’t ensure that person is a legitimate, qualified pet-sitting business,” explained Moran. “Anyone can post a profile advertising pet-sitting services, so it’s important for pet owners to take a closer look to ensure they are hiring a ‘real pet sitter’ to care for their pets.”
PSI and its nearly 7,000 member businesses offer one final tip for pet owners traveling this holiday season: Book early!
According to a membership survey conducted by PSI, more than 60 percent of its members are completed booked for holiday pet-sitting visits three weeks prior to the holiday—and ten percent are usually fully-booked at least two months in advance.
PSI members completing the survey indicated they try their best to accommodate last-minute bookings but if they are completely booked, they recommend other nearby pet sitters as well as PSI’s Official Pet Sitter Locator.
Even for pet-owners who don’t plan to travel long distances, a pet sitter can also come in handy to help keep pets on their regular schedule while the owners are out shopping late or enjoying holiday parties.
Pet owners who need in-home pet care during the holiday season can visit http://www.petsit.com/locate to find pet sitters in their areas and download the Pet Sitter Interview checklist.
