Pet Sitting! Seriously, How hard can it be?

Pet sitting is one of those jobs where people say “Pet Sitting! How hard can it be? It’s pet sitting! By golly, I can start a pet sitting business and make a fortune. I love animals and I can pick my own hours. It’s absolutely perfect”.  

After 10 years of professional pet sitting, I want to do a big eye roll at the enthusiastic budding entrepreneur person who just said that. (Because I may have thought that myself at one point and because my mother did raise me with some manners, I forego the eye roll).  As I gaze into the smiling naïve face, I do a mental quick run-down of all the intricacies that come to play in pet sitting for profit. I offer a few pearls of wisdom for you to consider before jumping in.

 Most serious pet sitters rarely go on vacations or take time off. Pet sitting is a 365 day career. If you are a pet sitter working alone without back-up, your chance at having time off will be rare. You will need to be available for phone calls to and from clients and prospective clients, you will need to set schedules, go on meet and greets, ferret through all the paperwork, complete contracts, advertise, network, keep your car maintained and of course pet sit. Pet sitting can be rewarding and exhausting. Pet sitting is not the right job for someone who does not absolutely love all creatures and have empathy for them.  Many are geriatric or need special care. It involves not only cats and dogs but birds of all types, fish, reptiles, guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, horses, pot-bellied pigs and on and on. These creatures are depending on you entirely when their family is away. The pet sitter will become the pet’s best friend and caregiver.  You absolutely cannot, I repeat cannot, miss a scheduled pet visit! Records of the pets and their care must be well organized along with your other records. If you think you can do this job without Bonding and Insurance, you may want to rethink that. You will be liable for damages to homes or any harm that might come to the pet in your care. A toilet overflowing upstairs could cause thousands of dollars in damages. A dog could swallow something on a walk and need surgery. I read the insurance claims that are printed in a pet sitting trade magazine each month and am continually astonished by the negligence and accidents that are listed along with the claim amount$$. Caring for people’s furry and feathered family and minding their homes really must be considered a serious venture with total commitment on your part.

Bottom line: Pet sitting for profit can be rewarding financially and emotionally.  Run it as a respectable business and not a hobby and you will have many successful years and happy clients. People and their pets will be depending on you. Don’t let your clients down and always strive for excellence in Pet Sitting.

Compliments of West Valley Pet Sitting, Inc
Surprise Arizona
Serving Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Arizona
Daily Visits, Dog Walking, Vacation Care 
www.westvalleypetsitting.com

Pet-Proofing Your Home for Puppies & Kittens

Congratulations-You just brought home a wide-eyed, furry, ready to play and explore, bundle of fun also known as a puppy or a kitten! Your new companion is naturally inquisitive and if you haven’t already, it’s time to look around your home and consider pet proofing. I like to think of pet proofing as being similar to baby proofing except your new furry baby can jump, climb curtains and crawl into unpredictable places (including small holes in the walls).  As you pet proof each room, take a moment and get down to your pet’s level.  It’s amazing what you will suddenly notice from your pet’s point of view. Keep in mind that a cat can jump 7 times their tail length and dogs explore their world by chewing. By removing as many tantalizing sources of danger and being aware of your pet’s natural curiosity your pet will have a safe environment to learn and play.

Removing Temptation

Let’s start with the kitchen and bathrooms. Consider childproof latches to keep curious little paws from opening cabinets. Move medications, cleaners and laundry supplies to latched cabinets or a high shelf. Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet. Put food away  (including candy).  Some of the food may not be harmful but the wrapper could be.

Living room areas need to have the dangling wires from televisions, VCRs, lamps and telephones out of reach. Put away your knick-knacks until your kitten is older and has the coordination not to knock them over. Move your houseplants that may be poisonous out of reach. Look under furniture and in the corners where the pet can fit and look for tiny objects that could be dangerous such as paper clips, pins, string, buttons… Put away craft notions, children’s toys and sharp objects.

You will want to make sure all air vents have covers, pets are adventuresome.

Bedrooms should have clothing and shoes in the closet with the door shut. Drawstrings and buttons are a big attraction to puppies and kittens and can cause a major problem if swallowed. Check your nightstands for medications, lotions and tiny objects. Again move the electrical cords to prevent chewing.

The garage should have all chemicals and sharp objects out of reach. Clean up any antifreeze that may be on your garage floor. Antifreeze is lethal in even a small taste.

Be Observant!

Make sure your kitten hasn’t jumped into the dryer before you use it, keep toilet lids down to prevent accidental drowning or consumption of cleaning solutions, be careful that you don’t close your kitten into drawers or closets and look for little paws and tails when you close doors.

Reward

Buy pet appropriate toys for kittens and puppies and a scratching post for cats.  Praise good behavior with a treat or a toy and distract them from undesirable behavior.

With love, commitment and proper care, your pet will grow up safe and healthy and be a constant source of joy in your life. May you and your new best friend treasure every moment that you share!

Compliments of West Valley Pet Sitting, Inc
Surprise Arizona
Serving Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Arizona

Daily Visits, Dog Walking, Vacation Care 
www.westvalleypetsitting.com

How To Hire An Excellent Pet Sitter & Dog Walker

Hiring a pet sitter or dog walker to care for your furry and feathered family can seem daunting at first. I'm sure you wonder how can I find a pet sitter that I trust in my home alone with my pets and my possessions. 
When you are looking for that special person, you must do a little homework. I recommend calling 3-5 pet sitting services to begin with. You can find excellent pet sitters through Pet Sitters International (PSI) . www.petsit.com  PSI has standards of excellence for their members. The members are insured and bonded and pay annual dues that are large enough to ensure that the pet sitter is a serious pet sitter. The Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau are also great places to find reputable sitters.
Once you have your list of sitters that you are interested in, call them. Ask questions. Are they insured and bonded? Are they willing to provide you with copies of their credentials to review? Does the company run background checks on their staff? Does the sitter want to learn as much as possible about your pets? Is she courteous, interested and well informed? Does the service have backup in case the sitter is sick?  Once you have narrowed down your list to a couple of sitters that you like, ask if the sitter will meet you and your pets for a get acquainted visit. It's okay to interview several of the services over a few days. This is a great way to compare and not be locked in with a sitter that you might not feel comfortable with. 
At your "Get-Acquainted" visit the sitter should provide written literature describing services, policies & fees along with copies of insurance and bonding. The sitter should also have a service contract for you to review that protects you and the sitter.
Does the sitter show a positive attitude during your initial meeting that seems comfortable and competent in dealing with your pets? Are your pets comfortable with her?
Now you are ready to choose a pet sitter. If all of the questions above are true and you and your pets  personally like a particular sitter, you have probably found an excellent pet care provider.

To Review:

• Check and Locate Pet Sitting Services through Pet Sitters International, your local Chamber of Commerce & the  BBB
• Bonded & Insured
• Written Literature
• Contract
• Competent
• Comfortable with your pets

What a comfort it will be to go on vacation knowing that your pets are being cared for in a loving environment in their own home or knowing your pet is safe and happy with the dog walker.

Purrs & Wags To You!


Compliments of West Valley Pet Sitting, Inc
Surprise Arizona
Serving Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Arizona
Daily Visits, Dog Walking, Vacation Care
www.westvalleypetsitting.com

Why Hire A Pet Sitter 101

You have booked your flight, you have made reservations for your hotel and rental car. As you sit at your computer content in the knowledge that all the details are finally done and all you have to do is pack, you absently scratch Fido's head and dream of palm trees. 
Hold on a second here, what did I forget, you ask yourself. Again you mentally check off all the details of the trip and then it comes to you. Who is going to watch Fido?  Uh oh. The options are kenneling, having the neighbor check in or maybe a relative. This will cause inevitable stress on Fido. Travel trauma, Health concerns, exposure to other animals, diet and exercise routines are interrupted to name just a few of the concerns that are now flashing through your mind. Let me suggest to you that a professional pet sitter is what you need. Your pet stays in their familiar and secure surroundings where all the smells, sights and sounds are the same. The pets customary diet and routines are followed. No Travel trauma in a vehicle to a relatives home or boarding/kennel facility to upset your pet. There will be minimal exposure to illness or other animals. Most Importantly, your pet receives love and personal attention while you are away.

The advantages to you are:  you won't be inconvenienced or upset by transporting your pet and you don't have to impose on a friend or relative or neighbor to care for your pet. Instead, you can rely on a pet care professional who will put your pet's needs first. Your home is more secure by the crime deterrent services provided by most pet sitting services. While you are away, you can feel confident your pet is in capable, caring hands. Pet sitters provide special services such as watering plants, bringing in the mail & newspapers along with alternating lights. Your home will have a lived in look while you are away and the pets will be safe and happy.

Contacting a pet care professional is now on your list. 
How to Hire A Professional Pet Sitter.....Coming soon      

Compliments of West Valley Pet Sitting, Inc.   www.westvalleypetsitting.com
Surprise Arizona
Serving Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West, Peoria, Arizona
Daily Visits, Dog Walking, Vacation Care