Many people have the problem of what to do with their pets when they are faced with a planned (or unplanned) trip. Along with other trip details, you also want the assurance you are leaving your pet in good and competent hands. One of the options is to use the services of a professional home pet sitter. Here are some things you should know about pet sitter services for your pets.
One option for caring for your pet is the use of a professional home pet sitter, someone who comes to your home to care for your pets while you are away. Here are some of the advantages of using a professional pet sitter:
Your pets will feel more comfortable being in a familiar environment. Since the pet sitter comes to your home, your pets remain in a setting that's familiar to them. This is especially good for animals that get nervous or upset when they sense changes in the household, or in being around other animals. Sometimes pets can even become depressed when they're made to stay in an unfamiliar environment such as a kennel or even with relatives. Home pet sitter services are designed to avoid this unnecessary trauma.
Pet Sitters services are tailored to your needs. Most professional pet sitters can provide flexible services depending on what your pets need. They can feed on schedule, walk at certain times and do those things that can allow your pets to stay on a familiar schedule in their familiar household surroundings.
Kennels generally have their own feeding schedule and often have their own food which may be quite different from how your pet is normally fed. This might also cause stress in your pet - from digestive stress to refusal to eat properly.
Your pet isn't around other animals that may be ill or agressive.
Sometimes illness breaks out when animals are kept in a community place such as a boarding kennel, and keeping your pets at home avoids exposing your pets to potential problems.
It's more convenient for both you and your pet. Taking your pet to a boarding kennel normally means a visiting your vet for updated medical records and proof of vaccinations. This is unnecessary if you use the services of a pet sitter, although you will need to have detailed written instructions for the sitter before you leave.
A pet sitter can often do small tasks that help keep your house looking occupied.
Most pet sitters are happy to bring in the newspapers, mail, turn on/off the lights, etc. (sometimes for a small fee). This can help keep your home from looking like you are away and an easy target for burglars.
While pet sitting services might not be for everyone (costs are normally higher than a kennel's are), they are worth checking out. You can find a good list of pet sitters at VetLocator.com in their Other Pet Professionals Directory.