Five Tips to Choosing the Right Pet Sitter

1)      Find a Local Professional Company: 

·       Look for a locally owned company that has been in business for at least a few years, has an established clientele, and established policies & procedures. You will be more likely to be satisfied with an experienced company!  BEWARE of APP directory sites such as Rover and Pawshake.

·       Make sure that the company you hire has insurance and is bonded, and be sure to request to see the insurance credentials during your initial meeting with your sitter or dog walker. Not all insurance policies are the same.

·       Look for a company that abides by a code of conduct and quality assurance. Review their commitment and look for key components such as: Integrity, Caring, Dependability, Emergency Readiness, and Security & Privacy. Also enquire about their satisfaction guarantee! Check out Quality Assurance & Standard of Excellence under Why Choose Us www.lovingpaws.ca/why-choose-us/ 

·       Verify that your sitter or dog walker has Pet First Aid and CPR training (very important for older pets, and ones with noted health issues). And the level of experience and training the pet sitter or dog walker has. 

·       Ask about pet-related Associations (e.g. Humane Society) that the company is affiliated with, or which offer referrals to the company.

·      Ask the company about their hiring protocol and credentials for employed or sub-contracted sitters or dog walker. Ensure they go through a proper interview process, reference and criminal background check, and the level of training obtained. Being a pet lover isn't enough! To learn more about us www.lovingpaws.ca/about-us/

2)      Testimonials:

·       Ask people that you know and trust for referrals (i.e. friends, neighbours and co-workers), as well as your veterinarian.

·       Ask your sitter or dog walker or company to provide you with reference letters or client testimonials. And read Google Reviews! 

3)      Transparency:

·       Does the company have an informative website? The more information is provided on the website the more transparent the company is. 

·       Make sure that the quote and information you are provided with is detailed, and clearly outlines the cost per day, and any additional charges.

·       Be sure to understand the services which are being offered; what is included, and what is not included in the rate.  If you are unsure, ask questions ahead of time, to ensure that your expectations are met.

·        Are the Terms & Conditions of the company transparent? If not, it's best to choose a company that has transparent Terms & Conditions.

4)      Compare Cost & Services Offered

·       Compare what the cost is for the level and type of service that you are getting.  A company with more credentials (years in business, insurance, First Aid & CPR certified, well outlined Policies & Procedures, etc) will likely be more expensive that other companies, sole-proprietors, or "under the table" pet sitters or dog walker, but paying a bit extra is often worth it for that extra peace of mind and professionalism.

·       Ensure that the company you hire offers the type of service that meets the needs of your pet(s).  Some companies may not offer overnights, or boarding, or may not have staff on their team available for the medical care your pet requires, or have protocol in the event of a pet emergency.

5)      Meet & Greet/Contract Signing

·       It is very important for you to spend time meeting with your pet sitter or dog walker  to ensure that you feel comfortable with the individual caring for your most precious belongings; your pet(s) and your home.  A Meet & Greet should generally last at least 30-minutes.

·       Give your sitter or dog walker and pet time to bond during the meeting to allow your pet to know they are in good hands while you are away.

·       Go over your pet(s)’ needs (personality, routine, feeding schedule, health) and your expectations in detail to avoid any miscommunication.

·       Ask about the company’s Policies & Procedures, as well as Emergency Policies.

·       Make sure your sitter or dog walker tests the keys you provide them with, as well as your alarm system.

·     Make sure that there is a written contract between you and the sitter or dog walker which outlines all of the Policies and Procedures of the company. Carefully read the contract before signing it, and be sure to ask your sitter or dog walker questions about the Policies & Procedures if anything is unclear.

In the end taking these extra steps, you and your pet(s) will benefit from having a Paw'fect experience with a professional pet sitter or dog walker! 

To learn more about Loving Paws & House Sitting we invite you to visit our website www.LovingPaws.ca