So, something’s come up, whether it be a holiday, family vacation, a deceased loved one etc. that has left you with little choice but to head out for several days or even weeks, and unable to bring your pet along for the ride. You could leave them alone with some food and water, but if they have no way to get outside, you’re going to return home to a very smelly house for reasons best left undisclosed. Your pet needs to be taken care of while you’re away, which is why you hire a pet sitter. But say you have some lingering doubts about letting a total stranger into your home for several days, is there any way to alleviate these worries? If you are looking for pet sitting in Manhattan, here are the main considerations to make.
#1. Training and qualifications
The first step is, obviously, interviewing the potential sitter. During which time, you should make a note to ask what kind of training they’ve had for this job and what their qualifications are. What type of pets they’ve cared for in the past, whether they’ve undergone any specialized training, and if they’re comfortable with any special needs or behavior issues your pet may have.
#2. Communication
How do you want your pet sitter to communicate with you while you’re away? Should they email you, call you directly, or send pics of your pet to inform you that they’re okay? You should decide on which before you start the interview, so you can inform the sitter which you would prefer, and see if they agree to it. If they don’t try to reach a compromise that you both can work with.
#3. Service and fee
Make sure you both understand what services the sitter can provide, and what you expect from them, and that neither side clashes with the other in any substantial way. For instance, how many visits should your sitter make each day? When and for how long each time? Are they also expected to groom and walk the dog? And should they do any other household stuff while they’re there? Find out all of this and how much it will all cost for you before you conclude the interview.
Pet sitters are, on average, very trustworthy individuals, but you can never be too careful these days, so these considerations will help make your decision more nuanced and beneficial to all involved. New York Tails boasts a wide range of dog lovers turned professional dog caretakers, who would pass all three considerations with flying colors. So if you need a good pet sitter, you can find none better in the city of New York.
