Pet Sitters International advises new pet parents to plan for their pets’ care
When adding new pets to their families, pet owners should consider who will care for their pets when work or travel keep them away from home.
With numerous pet adoption events typically hosted in advance of the busy holiday season, many families may have recently become first-time pet owners. These new pet owners likely know to take important steps such as selecting a veterinarian and pet-proofing their homes, but there may be one thing they have not considered: Who will care for their pets when work or travel keep them away from home?
Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters, encourages new pet owners to make it a priority to find a local, professional pet sitter for their 2017 pet-care needs.
PSI advises that by pledging to engage the services of professional pet sitters, pet owners can ensure that their pets will maintain healthy routines in the comfort of their own homes while the owners are away. But selecting the right pet sitter to meet a family’s specific pet-care needs can take time.
PSI provides pet owners with access to the largest online directory of professional pet sitters free-of-charge and recommends that pet owners schedule an initial consultation with a potential pet sitter prior to booking services.
“With so many pet-care directory sites popping up in the last couple of years, anyone can post a profile advertising pet-sitting services, even with no experience or credentials,” explains PSI President Patti Moran. “PSI offers pet owners a free search for local professional pet-sitting businesses and provides resources to help pet owners select a qualified, 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, if required?
- 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?
- Is the pet sitter a Certified Professional Pet Sitter™ and/or has he or she participated in other 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?
PSI offers this additional tip for pet owners selecting a professional pet sitter: Once you select your pet sitter, book early!
Many professional pet sitters get booked up weeks or even months in advance of the busy summer travel season or holidays, so pet owners should go ahead and book pet-care services if they already have dates lined up for 2017 trips.
Pet owners can download a free Pet-Sitter Interview Checklist and search PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator free of charge at www.petsit.com/locate. To learn more about PSI and professional pet sitters, visit www.petsit.com.
