Professional Pet Sitters Week

Did you know that International Pet Sitters Week is the first week of March? This event was founded by PSI, which is the world’s largest professional pet sitters organization. While your canine buddy would love to go everywhere with you, that unfortunately just isn’t always possible. And, while many people have been working from home this year, there are still times that people need to leave their dogs in the care of others. A local vet discusses pet sitting below.

Sitter Or Boarding?

When should you use a pet sitter, as opposed to boarding your furry friend? While every circumstance is different, we would generally advise boarding if you’re going to be gone for more than a day. It’s worth noting that many kennels have temporarily reduced their hours or capacity, or even paused services, during the pandemic. This might make pet sitting the obvious choice for some, if only for now.

Benefits of A Sitter

When should you use a sitter or dog walker? They can be a perfect solution for times when you are working long hours or just navigating a packed agenda. Fido is usually pretty good about holding it, but he can only go so long. The fresh air, exercise, stimulation, and company a dog walker provides will definitely benefit him, and just help break up his alone time.

Friends And Family

Many people opt to ask friends or family members to watch their dogs when they leave town. There are some obvious benefits here: it’s often much cheaper, and people are comfortable leaving their beloved pets in friendly, familiar hands. However, keep in mind that if something were to happen, that could strain—or even ruin—your relationship. You also won’t have the protection that a licensed sitter or kennel would offer.

Choosing Fido’s Sitter

If you are going to use a pet sitter, the first and biggest concern is going to be screening applicants. Professional organizations do vet their applicants, but even this isn’t always completely foolproof. Ask for references, and check review sites. You may also want to ask your friends, family members, co-workers, and veterinarian for recommendations. One thing that is very important is making sure that your dog’s sitter or kennel is properly licensed, bonded, and insured. Of course, your pooch should also be able to weigh in on his caregiver!

Trial  Run

Regardless of whether you choose boarding or pet sitting, we recommend starting out with a short trial run. In case of boarding, this helps Fido get used to his home away from home. With pet sitters, it allows you a chance to see how things go. Ask your vet for more information.

Is your pet due for vaccinations or an exam? Contact us, your local veterinary clinic, today!