Interview Your Potential Pet Sitter
As many of us will be way from home for short time periods, as well as on extended travel during the holiday periods, I recently wrote about some basic information that you should provide to your Pet Sitter, before you turn over your pet and leave your home.
According to their Mission statement, Pet Sitters International is dedicated to educating professional pet sitters and promoting, supporting and recognizing excellence in pet sitting.
They suggest that you carefully interview your potential Pet Sitter as cautiously as you would for a family member.
Among their suggestion are the following tips:
"Does the pet sitter (or agency) keep regular office hours?
A Professional pet sitter should have a schedule of office hours. A larger business may have additional personnel to answer phone calls or e-mails, but many pet sitters are sole proprietors who use answering machines to field inquiries.
If you left a message inquiring about services, how soon was it returned?
All phone calls should be returned within 24 hours.
How much notice does the pet sitter (or agency) need in order to schedule your request for a pet sitter?
Most pet sitters request at least two weeks notice, but may be able to accommodate an occasional short-notice assignment. Sometimes there is an additional charge for short-notice assignments.
Does the pet sitter (or agency) have established fees for pet care they can quote over the phone and/or in company literature?
A professional pet sitter should have a published list of fees that cover the most common pet-care requests. Fees for special services may be worked out on a case-by-case basis.
Is the pet sitter bonded and insured?
Ask for proof of coverage. PSI members have access to group rates on policies specifically for pet sitters and are provided insurance cards...."
We will provide some additional tips on this important issue next week.
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