How To Prepare Your Pet & Home When Using A Professional Pet Caregiver

Your vacation is scheduled, and you’d prefer to have your pet stay comfortably at home while you are away. In choosing the perfect sitter you should, of course, interview him/her, check references, and make sure the sitter is licensed, bonded, insured, and loves pets. But there are some additional steps you should take to ensure that your pet will receive the best care possible.

1. Schedule: Most pet sitters book appointments far in advance. Make reservations as early as possible to guarantee a spot for your pet’s care. If your schedule changes (such as travel delays), alert your pet sitter so additional care can be coordinated if necessary.
2. Pre-visit introduction: Make sure your pet has had an opportunity to meet the sitter prior to your departure. Give your sitter a complete outline of your pet’s schedule, including feeding and medication instructions. If possible, have the sitter take your dog for a walk so that your pet and sitter get accustomed to each other, or bond for a few minutes with your cat or other pets.
3. Pet care information and supplies: Don’t make your sitter search for pet care items! Place everything your sitter will need in one designated place. This includes food/treats (including a can opener, utensil to mix/chop food, and scooper for measuring dry fare), extra food, and consumable supplies just in case, medications (with clearly written instructions), leash, collar/harness, cleaning supplies (including paper towels, broom/dust pan, vacuum cleaner, and plastic bags for waste disposal), litter with scooper, and potty pads if used. Clearly write out and review with your pet sitter any special instructions you want performed.
4. Thermostat: Your pet will be in your locked, sealed home. Make sure the thermostat is set at a comfortable temperature! Leave instructions on how to adjust the temperature range for your thermostat in case of a power-outage.
5. Pet proof your home: Pets can be more inquisitive and bored when they are left alone and, therefore, get into mischief. Put toilet lids down, close cupboards and closets, and store (out of your pet’s reach) medications, perfumes, small (fragile) objects, and household cleansers.
6. Alarms, off-limit areas, home access: Are there areas where your pet is not allowed? Make sure you close off these rooms and let the sitter know that those areas are to be kept off limits. Close and lock doors, including garage, patio doors, and windows before you leave. Use timers to control indoor lights so your pet’s day/night schedule is similar to when you are at home. Check to make sure gates and fences are closed and locked.
7. Visitor list: If you live in an apartment or gated community, advise security that your pet sitter will be visiting and, if appropriate, let you neighbors know too. Also, if you plan to have friends, family, or someone else checking on your house and pets in your absence as well, let the sitter know.  Clearly explain what the pet sitter is responsible for and what the other visitors will be doing to avoid confusion. Also, let the sitter know about gardeners and pool/house maintenance providers who might be on the premises.
8. In case of emergency: Provide information about where to take your pet in case of a health emergency. You may also want to notify your veterinarian (in writing) that a sitter will be caring for your pet and authorize the veterinarian to provide medical care during your absence if necessary. If there is a natural disaster and your sitter needs to remove your pet from your premises, have a pet emergency kit available with a pet carrier. Tell your sitter how you would like to get updates about your pet ─ via text, email, or phone

Kathleen Huffman is a franchise owner with Fetch! Pet Care (FetchPetCare.com) ─ the nation’s largest and most trusted franchisor for professional pet sitting, dog walking, and pet fitness/exercise services ─ serving pets & pet parents throughout the U.S.