Pet Sitting - Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike traditional kennels, pet sitters and dog walkers are able to visit your pets in your home, maintaining their routine as much as possible. Hiring a professional to care for your pets gives you peace of mind knowing your best friends are in competent, loving hands. Although you may not be around, your pets are able to feel secure in their own home, with the surroundings that they have become accustomed to.
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2) What does a pet sitter do?
Caring pet owners know that most pets adjust better to their owner’s absence and experience less anxiety and stress when they can remain their home environments. Pet sitters make this possible with daily visits to your home. In addition to meals, exercise, playtime and cleaning litter boxes or cages, professional pet sitters may also administer medications, walk dogs and perform other pet-care duties. That’s why in-home pet care is the choice of pet owners and the “pet-preferred” method of vacation and travel care.
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3) What are the advantages for your pet?
Reduced Stress. Your pet stays in its own familiar secure environment where all the sights, smells and sounds say “Home!”
Diet and Exercise. Customary diet and exercise routines are followed, with no interruption to upset your pet.
No “Travel Trauma”. Travel in a vehicle to boarding facility or kennel may upset your pet.
Health Concerns. With a pet sitter, there is minimal exposure to illness of other animals.
T. L. C. Most importantly, your pet receives love and personal attention while you are away.
4) What are the advantages for you?
Travel. You won’t be inconvenienced or upset by transporting your pet.
No Imposition. You don’t have to impose on a friend, neighbor or relative to care for your pet, but instead rely on a pet care professional who will put you pet’s needs first.
Security. Your home is made more secure by the crime deterrent services provided by most pet-sitting services.
Peace of Mind. While you’re away, you can feel confident your pet is in capable, caring hands.
Special Services. Pet sitters can provide additional home services while caring for your pet, such as watering plants and bringing in the mail.
Copyright © 2003 Pet Sitters International, Inc. All rights reserved.
5) Top 10 Reasons NOT To Travel With Your Pets
by Thom Somes, The Pet Safety Guy
Today's loving pet owners want to share all of life's experiences with their four-legged family members. What better way to spend your vacation than on the road with your pets? Think again. While you may enjoy seeing the sights, your pets are very sensitive to their environment and don’t understand the changes of traveling. Pets—especially cats—may not be able to handle the stress of habitat changes. If your pet is young, old, ill or not going to be an integral part of your vacation, you should definitely consider letting your pet stay home and guard the homestead. Pets do best staying on their own turf. Please consider the items below before you decide to take your pet on trip.
10 Accommodations. Read the fine print. Some hotels allow pets BUT the disclaimer is the pet must not be left alone in the room. This can make going out for dinner or to a theme park with the kids impossible. Check in advance and don’t try and sneak them in. Remember, you are responsible for any damage your pet may cause. If your pet is going to be staying alone in the hotel room anyway, they might as well stay at home.
9 Plane Trips. Check well in advance for airline requirements and conditions for pets traveling with you. Pets will be required to have a travel crate and recent health certificate from your veterinarian. Be warned, some airlines will not accept pets as cargo at certain times of the year. Even with a reservation, airlines can refuse transporting your pet if conditions are not safe. Cargo holds are not heated, cooled or sound proof and can cause possible death, injury and stress on your pet. Beware of medicating your cat. High altitudes can have an amplifying effect on "kitty downers". Unless you can guarantee conditions and book a direct flight, let your pet stay home and watch the Travel Channel.
8 Car Trips. Numerous dangers exist for your pets inside and outside your vehicle. The first one that comes to mind is the danger of heat stroke, but other dangers can include air bags, unrestrained pets becoming projectiles hurting themselves and potentially others, getting hit by a car and insects or debris flying into the eyes and ears of pets whose heads are hanging out the window. All pets should be crated or restrained in a harness while riding in a vehicle.
7 Identification. Trying to find your lost pet in a strange city will ruin your vacation. Pets lost away from their home are at greater risk because they truly are lost. Strange sights and sounds disorient your pet, causing it to act in ways that put it at greater risk of being killed, hurt or picked up by strangers.
6 Behavior. Well trained and socialized pets tend to stay out of harm’s way. But, the stresses of traveling can test even the best-trained and well socialized pet. Sometimes the best command you can give your pet is STAY—at home!
5 Food & Water. Drinking local water while traveling and changes in diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Unless you are prepared to travel with food and water, keep your pet home.
4 Dangers, Diseases & Illness. This ranges from allergies to ticks, depending on how you are traveling and the place to which you travel. Mosquitoes can carry heartworm, poison ivy on your pet’s coat can get onto you, skunks, snake bite, poisoning and giardia are just a few of the many hazards in store for the unprepared pet traveler.
3 Leashes & Laws. All states have laws regarding your pets and you are responsible for obeying all of them. Every state has "Leash Laws" that are ticketable offenses. Keep your pets on a leash and obey the law or keep them at home.
2 Emergencies & Veterinarians. Knowing pet first aid is important to your pet surviving a medical emergency. However, your pet could require hospitalization for a period longer than your planned stay. Trying to find an emergency animal facility while dealing with your hurt and injured pet is another way to ruin your vacation. Keep your pet safely at home.
1 You have a Pet Sitters International Member caring for your pet! Hire a professional pet sitter for immeasurable peace of mind while you are on vacation. PSI members can give your pets consistent, personal care and attention on a daily basis. They will even leave Animal Planet on the TV for them!
If you choose to travel with your pets, make a conscious effort to keep their best interests in mind. Follow all the DOs and DON’Ts and your pets can be excellent traveling companions. If you leave your pets at home with a professional pet sitter, maybe you can come home from your vacation a day early to spend quality time with your pet. And remember to send your pet a postcard and bring home something for your pet sitter, too!
Copyright © 2003 Pet Sitters International, Inc. All rights reserved.
