FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
To meet clients, get to know how the pet lives in the home, what’s ‘normal’ and what type of care is desired. Some people want simple care of ‘give them fresh water and food, scoop the box if full’ but most want more focused care where a sitter understands nuances, gives the pet quality, unhurried attention. If a sitter has questions they should feel able to ask the client questions, but if a client is unreachable needs to be a problem solver too. Clients who print up a basic guideline sheet of do’s (and dont’s, if very particular) establish expectations openly so there’s no confusion or misunderstanding.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Worked at an animal shelter, 2 vets gaining vet tech asst skills, volunteered with the Seeing Eye, moved onto dog daycare associate then a manager. After that periodically worked with dog trainers with clients pets. Frequently watch veterinary based shows, vet instructional videos and podcasts discussing care techniques, watch animal behavior videos and research details regarding care for a variety of breeds and animals, including wildlife rescue. Always willing to learn and do more.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
After working at an animal shelter, 2 vets, volunteering at the Seeing Eye, dog daycare worker, I worked my way to dog daycare manager at the first dog daycare business in NYC! We grew so popular a few clients began asking for in home house sitting care when daycare or overnight boarding if we couldn’t accept any more dogs, or they needed specialized one on one care for any reason. Over the years petsitting became my special talent and a niche few sitters could fill being tied to their own pets, complex family, work or school commitments. I love the variety and privilege of staying in clients homes, learning about its history (if old) and getting to know the neighborhood, meeting unique pets and fascinating clients from all over the world who make NYC their home. Thanks to having flexible skills I’ve even been able to volunteer and be hired to pet sit in towns and cities far from NYC while on vacation or extended travel. (Hello to clients in rural Texas, border collie folks at Glen Highland Farm in VA, and Vancouver Canada!)