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Pet Sitters International offers tips for reptile owners seeking reliable pet care

Each year on October 21, people across the United States celebrate National Reptile Awareness Day—a day created for reptile owners to celebrate, but also a day to promote appreciation, education and conservation for reptiles. According to the American Pet Products Association, more than 9.3 million reptiles are owned in 4.9 million households across the United States.

Admittedly, reptiles have not achieved the same popularity or acceptance as other pets, such as dogs, cats or fish—and reptile owners may find that it’s not as easy to find someone willing to feed a mouse to  a ball python as it is to request someone to pour kibble in a dog food bowl.

So, where can reptile owners turn when work or leisure travel keeps them from their pets?

As with all pet owners, those with reptiles want the best care for their pets—but they also face the unique challenge of finding others well versed in their pets’ specific needs. Fortunately, the number of professional pet sitters offering services to reptiles is growing.

Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, has nearly 7,000 member business in the United States, Canada and abroad—and according to its 2014 State of the Industry Survey, more than one-third of its members offers pet-sitting services for reptiles. Additionally, 20 percent of PSI members have reptiles in their own households.

The association also dedicates a chapter of its Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting Program to addressing the specific pet-care needs of reptiles and amphibians.

When selecting a professional pet sitter, reptile owners should be sure to ask specific questions.

Jordan Di Marco, PSI Certified Professional Pet Sitter and owner of Dogma Catma Pet Sitting in Boulder, Colo., offers reptiles owners this advice: “Because there are so many species of reptiles, don’t discount a sitter who only has experience with snakes if you have a lizard, for example—but be sure the pet sitter understands your pet’s needs in terms of heating, lighting, feeding humidity and substrate.”

Additionally, PSI encourages reptile owners—and all pet owners—to only use the services of professional pet sitters for their pet-care needs.

“Often times, pet owners, and even news outlets, use the term ‘pet sitter’ carelessly, referring to anyone—from a family friend to the neighborhood teenager asked to check in on your pet—as a ‘pet sitter,’” explains PSI President Patti J. Moran. “It is important that pet owners understand that pet sitting is a professional career and professional pet sitters offer peace of mind that other pet-care options cannot.” 

PSI advises pet owners to ask seven important questions when interviewing a potential pet sitter:

1. Does the pet sitter have the proper business license for your city or state, if required?
2. Is the pet sitter insured and bonded?
3. Can the pet sitter provide proof of clear criminal history?
4. Does the pet sitter provide client references?
5. Will the pet sitter use a pet-sitting services agreement or contract?
6. Has the pet sitter completed PSI's Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting Program and/or has he or she participated in other pet-care training, such as pet first aid?
7. Is the pet sitter a member of a professional and educational association, such as Pet Sitters International?

PSI also recommends that pet owners schedule an initial consultation with a potential pet sitter prior to booking services and offers a Pet Sitter Interview checklist on its website to guide pet owners in the interview process. 

Di Marco offers this final piece of advice for reptile owners using the services of a professional pet sitter: “Always leave extra light bulbs!”

To learn more about PSI, visit www.petsit.com. To find a local PSI member pet sitter in your area, search PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator at www.petsit.com/locate.