Nothing is more nerve-wracking then leaving your beloved animals to the care of someone else when you go out of town for vacation or business. You may be worried about their seperation anxiety, the trustworthiness of the care provider, or just about anything else. 

That's why finding the right animal caretaker is vital for the wellbeing of your pet and your peace of mind. There are many services that claim that they provide great quality because of their "brandname" or the "size of their company". You should be cautious of these providers as they often don't conduct proper background checks to ensure that they are hiring trustworthy people who know how to properly care for animals.

Here are some tips to follow when looking for in-home care and dog walking services:

1. Recommendations from friends, family, and neighbors

This is the best method for finding the right caretaker as you can get a first hand account of services that friends and relatives can share with you. If your friends and family share similar views on how an animal should receive care, then you can be sure they are going to know what you are looking for with a care provider. 

Ask your friends and familys for referalls and to get more information on the company. Once you have found a legitimate care taking service, schedule a meet and greet with your caretakers to make sure they are the right fit for your animal and that you can build a bond of trust with the caretaker. This will usually lead to you finding your lifelong petsitter.

2. Recommendations from your vetrinarian

Vets are some of the most connected members of the animal community, so they are a great resource for seeking out recommendations for petsitters. Usually they have somebody they like or have clients who offer services and who they trust. They want the best care for your animals, so they won't steer you wrong.

3. Use Facebook Community Groups

Facebook has made connecting in local communities easy as scrolling through your mobile phone. Locate local animal community groups who share your passion for animals. If you are seeking a petseeker,ask ahead of time (1 month in advance at least) for people who offer petsitting services. You'll get recommendations for people as well as find people who offer pet sitting services. Remember to schedule a meet and greet to see if it is a good fit.

4. Consider specific animal needs

Some animals are more anxiety prone or have seperation anxiety, so plan accordingly for such situations. One great way to test how they will do with a pet sitter they may not be comfortable with is to schedule a meet and greet where you are not present. Just drive down the street and have the pet sitter interact with your animals while you are gone. This will acclimate the pet sitter with the animal and it will show you how they will act when you are gone.

5. Boarding options

There are many great boarding options and some that are not so great. Seek out boarding options that allow your animals to have opportunities to socialize. Also make sure they have constant access to a bathroom so they dont develop a UTI or something else. One more thing, be sure you are aware if kennel cough is going around in your area and avoid boarding if it is.

Don't count out discounted boarding as there are some great mom-and-pop boarding facilities who operate on a smaller scale, but provide excellent care.

Remember, your furry friend is a family member, so you want the best care possible. We offer outstanding pet sitting services in which we will meet your animal first and match them with a compatible personality for their visits and daily walks. Contact us to get more information!