Pets are a source of companionship, pleasure, and love. They become a very important part of our life before we realize it. When you have to travel and cannot take your pet with you, it presents a unique set of problems.
They cannot be left alone at your home for obvious reasons. Your pets need a caretaker. But you cannot just entrust your pets to strangers. How will your pet react to an unfamiliar environment? There are a couple of options at your disposal, including – pet boarding, peer-to-peer platforms, and pet hotels.
There are many options for you to pick from. The key is to choose the course of action that you and your pet feel the most comfortable with. Irrespective of the number of times you have had to leave your pet behind on trips, the process of finding a sitter can continue to be intimidating.
We have five tips to help you navigate the process and find the perfect pet sitter for your furry little friend. PETstock Australia can help you navigate the process and provide you with all the resources needed.
Table of Contents
Always Plan Ahead
One of the most significant steps of finding the right person to pet sit with is planning. Finding a person who agrees with both you and your pet can be a time-consuming process. When you start the process too close to the travel date, you might find yourself short of time.
Planning ahead means reading through the profiles of your local pet sitters and exploring the different options available. You have to figure out what works best for your pet and even for you. Find reviews and testimonials for all the options you’re considering; read through them in your own time before deciding which has the merit. Find options that suit your pet’s specific needs like medication, long walks, controlled feeding, etc.
Set up a meet and greet
When you come across a potential pet sitter or boarding, set up a meet and greet with them. Take this opportunity to ask questions and get to know the person. Ensure you ask about their experience with pets in general, whether they have ever owned a pet themselves, whether they have been responsible for caring for a pet for long durations without the owner around. If possible, ask for references from some of their previous clients.
Ask for references
Always ask for references. As mentioned in the previous point, ask to talk to the potential sitter’s previous clients. Any genuine pet sitter who is confident in themselves would be willing to provide references. Please speak to the references about how the pet sitter treated their pets. Ask them if their pets liked the pet sitter. Ask questions until you’re fully satisfied that the pet sitter can truly care for your pet.
Watch their interaction with your pet
You can tell a lot about a person from the way they interact with animals. You can tell even more about the person from the way the animals react to them. When you meet the potential pet sitter, let them interact with your pet. Does the pet sitter watch your pet’s energy? Do the two of them get along? Is your pet comfortable around the new person you introduced them to? These are all the questions you need to find the answers to.
Take your time making the decision
Leaving your pet behind when you have to travel is a cause of anxiety, and without a pet sitter, your pressure may not ease. So, take your time finding a suitable person for the job. Sometimes pet sitters can offer you documents and forms to start filling in the very first meeting, do not let them make you feel rushed. Take your time, ask around and make your decision in your own time.
Keep these tips in mind when you start your search for the ideal pet sitter. Don’t let the intimidating decision scare you. At the end of the day, you’re looking for someone to be a good companion to your pet in your absence.
A pet sitter is a carer for your pet, but they should also be friends. A pet sitter’s duty isn’t just to care for your pet but to ensure they are happy and fulfilled. Find a person your pet trusts and look for signs from your pet with regards to the decision. If you’re ever overwhelmed, consult PETstock Australia for resources to help you progress further.
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