I sometimes get the question from pet owners, “Why should I hire a professional pet sitter, my family/friend/acquaintance can do it and they’re free.” This is a valid question. Hiring a professional pet sitter is an expense that you might not have planned for and asking a friend or relative may seem quicker and easier than searching out and hiring a professional.
In the end, you need to choose what works best for you and your pets. Sometimes the family/friend option is the way to go but it’s good to understand the things to consider when making the decision.
Professionals have experience with many animals
Your family/friend may know your pet and that’s great but it likely ends there. They may know other animals but the pool is going to be much smaller. A professional on the other hand, has worked with many, many animals and can bring that experience to how they interact and care for your pet.
This becomes even more important when things go wrong, as they sometimes do. If your pet is acting strangely, a professional is much more likely to notice the abnormal behavior, bring it to your attention and take action to address the issue. This benefit increases if you have a professional sitter that watches your pets regularly. They’re now able to take the behavior of your specific pet and their accumulated knowledge of all pets to make the best decisions for your furry family member.
A professional will come to your house when they say they will
Imagine you’re on vacation and your friend/family who’s watching your pets has said they’ll come by right after lunch. One o’clock rolls around, then 2:00, then 4:00. You worry about it and wonder if your pet is okay until you finally call your friend and they tell you that they got hung up at work and they’ll be over at your house later that evening. Your friend didn’t mean to cause any concern but you’ve now spent several hours of your vacation worried about your pet or at the very least thinking about something other than those margaritas on the beach.
A professional should be able to give you a small window when they will be arriving at your house which allows you to put it out of your mind.
You’ll get regular updates in the form you want with a professional
Part of being a professional pet sitter is communicating well and often. They should be asking you what method you prefer for communications and how often. Many professionals will default to sending a visit update every time they visit your home. This ensures your peace of mind and allows you to know that your pets been taken care of that day and move on with the other vacation activities you have planned.
Professionals are insured
No one likes to think that anything bad will happen to their homes or their pets while they’re away but life doesn’t always turn out as planned. Your friend or family may mean well and feel confident that they can take care of your house but ultimately, if something goes wrong, they don’t have the insurance to cover it. And depending on the expense, they may not be able to or willing to pay for it.
A professional should be able to provide you with proof of insurance when asked. And as a side note, don’t assume that because you hire a professional through a large provider like Rover.com that they have insurance. These companies do offer some limited insurance in some cases but most to not require their sitters to carry insurance at the level needed to be secure.
Professionals have a network of resources behind them
Professional pet sitters watch pets for a living. That means they’re plugged into the pet community. They have relationships with vets and other pet care providers that provide them with a network of resources should they need them. It’s like having a team of providers for your pet to ensure that they get the best care possible.
The truth is asking your friends or family members may be quicker, easier and cheaper in the short term but in the end that old axiom, “you get what you pay for” often turns out to be true. The good news is finding the right professional for you doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. Just ask the questions above and you’ll find a great pro that will make sure your furry family members enjoy your time away as much as you do.
Other great articles you might enjoy
Does my Kitty Need a Cat Sitter – https://preferredpetpartners.com/does-my-kitty-need-a-cat-sitter/
3 Things to Know Before You Hire Rover.com – https://preferredpetpartners.com/3-things-to-know-before-you-hire-rover-com/
About Eliza
Eliza is the owner of two successful pet related businesses; Preferred Pet Partners, a pet sitting and dog walking company, and The Pet Business Coach, offering coaching and resources to aspiring or current pet related business entrepreneurs. She maintains two awesome blogs. One for pet parents https://preferredpetpartners.com/blog/ and one for pet business owners https://thepetbusinesscoach.dog/blog-page/. Eliza also supports various animal rescue and shelter organizations. Eliza and her husband have three furry family members. Visit her websites: www.preferredpetpartners.com or www.thepetbusinesscoach.dog.
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