Leaving home is hard for everyone, most especially those who have pets at home. While it’s ideal for human companions to look out for their furry pals every step of the way, sometimes, it’s just not possible. On occasions where one has to attend to business or personal matters, pets are sometimes best left at home. Lucky for them, pet sitters are available!
Just Like Babysitting
You can hire babysitters for your pets with just a simple call or a click online! However, it takes planning and screening to ensure the safety and well-being of your fur-mily.
Finding the perfect pet sitter can be tricky. While one can ask a close relative or neighbor to pet-sit, there are a few basic steps the owners can follow to ensure that their beloved companion gets the best of care. As an organization that is committed to educating Filipino pet owners on responsible pet ownership, the Pet Food Institute (PFI) shares three steps on finding the right pet sitter.
1. Plan Ahead
Finding the perfect pet sitter requires time and pet owners should not rush this process. Starting early gives owners ample time to consult veterinarians and other pet owners for a reliable pet sitter.
As a way to kick-start the planning, owners must identify the key qualities a pet sitter should possess that should complement well with the pet’s traits and behavior. Among other specific qualities, perhaps the two most important traits a pet sitter should have are trustworthiness and accountability.
A trustworthy pet sitter should ensure that the animal under their care gets proper nutrition, exercise, grooming, and of course, tender loving care. Formal training in handling pet emergencies is a plus.
2. Recognize Unique Needs
Different animals may have different needs: Some may need more attention, while others have dietary restrictions.
While the pet sitter is responsible in attending to these needs, it is the human companion’s duty to identify them. Pet owners should leave detailed feeding instructions, among others.
3. Meet and Greet
An animal’s human companion must ensure that the sitter could get along by scheduling a meet-and-greet. This allows the animal and their future sitter to become more familiar with each other.
Just like humans, pets may not respond the same way to different people. Neglecting the need for a proper introduction may lead to different issues.
This appeared in Animal Scene’s October 2018 issue.
