6 Things to Know When Choosing a Pet Sitter
Need care for your pet while you're away, but unsure where to start? Feeling overwhelmed by the choice between things like Rover or professional nearby companies and people? We've gathered a few tips to help you choose... and make sure your pets are in good hands!
Make sure they provide proof of certifications and insurance.
Any pet sitter or dog walker who is a true professional will be insured. Bonding alongside a CPR & First Aid certification are even better and help guarantee your pet's safety. We at Sunny River Pet Services are insured, bonded, and all of us are CPR & First Aid certified. Safety and security is always our priority.
Are they a member of a Professional Pet Sitter Association?
While not necessarily a requirement, being a part of a pet sitter association like PSI or NAPPS is a green flag. Those who pursue a membership with an association have a higher investment in themselves, their business, and the pets they care for. These associations provide things like insurance, education, and community for pet caretakers.
We love being a part of Pet Sitters International! It allows us to stay up to date with pets and our clients while also providing educational opportunities that keep us fresh!
Do they require a Meet and Greet?
If a pet sitter or dog walker is unwilling to meet your pet prior to service start, it is a red flag. A Meet and Greet allows us to get to know you, your pet, and your home. It also allows us to go over important details about them so that we can provide the proper and necessary care.
We take pride in offering a complimentary 30 minute Meet and Greet to all of our new clients. We also allow our clients to have Meet and Greets with our employees upon request.
Ensure they have a backup plan... or a team.
I know, I know. It seems like a team may not be nearly as personable as working one on one, but what happens when your typical pet caregiver gets sick or has an emergency? You're sent scrambling to find coverage while worrying about your pets.
Because we are a small team, we have a built-in backup plan so that even when something comes up, we've got your back. We pride ourselves in having close relationships with our clients and their pets, despite our larger operation as we try to maintain a high level of consistency.
They should offer extremely detailed reports and GPS tracking.
They should want to keep you in the loop about when they arrive, where they go, and when they leave. Whether they use a small app or a robust software such as Time To Pet, GPS-tracking is the industry standard. Additionally, you should know exactly what happened during the visit.
We love to write detailed reports in a timeline style that dictates exactly what we did, things your pet did, and an overall reference point for how your pet is doing.
Are they priced as a professional company?
We know you want the better deal, but when it comes to pet care, it's important to make sure you are choosing a quality candidate. You often get what you pay for. Low prices are appealing, but often mean that there are slip-ups in care as workers are overworked and stressed. In fact, we have heard horror stories of cheaper sitters not showing up at all! By choosing a higher-priced company, you are ensuring high quality care and happy employees that lead to less accidents and missed details. We promise that we're worth it. Don't believe us? Just check out our testimonials from pet parents just like you!
Our Reviews:
Sequoia Smith (Luna): "For all the nervous pet parents out there, I can’t recommend Sunny River enough for your pet-sitting needs! Cheyenne and Erin are incredibly kind and truly listen to instructions. They were more than happy to do a meet-and-greet before any service and are very flexible. ... Cheyenne sent the most thorough, detailed update with photos and video, which instantly put me at ease. I now feel completely comfortable scheduling all my recurring drop-in visits with them. They’re also comfortable with pet cams, which I really appreciate!"
Benjamin Rader (Bubba & Beau): "...Their daily sitter reports are so comprehensive with notes and pictures detailing how our doggos did during the visit. ... Their care and detailed reports help us feel better about leaving our boys at home, especially since both dogs are in their senior years. I highly recommend Sunny River."
Rebekah Fleming (Bradley): "... My husband and I both work and it is such a relief that we have someone reliable to come take our dog out for a potty break, a walk, and some good loving attention. They are extremely communicative of any changes to the service, quickly respond to questions, and the updates that they send post-walk are a bright spot in my work day. We are so grateful to have found this service and could not be happier with it."
We hope this has helped fill you in on how to find the best care for your pets! Even if it isn't us, we want all pets to be in safe hands and pet parents shouldn't have to worry.
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