FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
My goal when working with a new pet sitting client is to provide pets with care that mimics what those pets receive from their people. This approach gives pet owners the opportunity to go away on vacations, work long hours, or attend to family obligations without guilt or worry for leaving pets alone.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am certified by the American Red Cross in Pet First Aid, and I have completed the ARC's course in Pet CPR (no certification is offered for Pet CPR due to the differences in sizes and types of pets). I belong to Pet Sitters International, which avails me of the latest developments in pet sitting and dog walking. This organization offers networking with fellow pet professionals, who are a terrific resource for troubleshooting and discussing issues with clients and their pets. I belong to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, which gives me access to the combined knowledge and experience of hundreds of professional dog trainers. I participate in several Web-based educational groups including: DogRead (discusses a different dog-related book monthly with topics ranging from canine nutrition and behavior to managing multiple dog households and choosing the right puppy from a breeder or shelter) PSI's monthly teleconferences (presents timely topics important to the pet sitting profession such as setting service rates, providing service for complicated pet sitting assignments, and meeting the needs of pets with special medical requirements.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
Pet sitting is not simple, and it's not a responsibility that a pet owner should entrust to neighborhood children, neighbors, or family members. Neighbors are unlikely to gather important details about your pet such as dietary needs, likes and dislikes, and behavioral idiosyncracies. Local kids will probably feed your cats, but they may not spend the time necessary to calm your feline and discover your cat's daily needs for mental well-being. Family members don't carry liability insurance, and many don't know how to handle emergencies with your pet that might require veterinary intervention or have long-lasting consequences for you and your pet.