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 absolutely everywhere with you, that just isn’t always possible. And, while many people have been working from home this year, because of the pandemic there are still times that people need to leave their dogs in the care of others. A local vet discusses pet sitting below.

Benefits of A Sitter

Why should you use a sitter or dog walker? They can be a great solution for times when you are working long hours. Fido is usually pretty good about holding it, but he really 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 a bit.

Sitter Or Boarding?

When should you use a pet sitter, as opposed to boarding Fido? While every circumstance is different, we would generally advise boarding your pooch if you’re going to be gone for more than a day. Pet sitters and dog walkers are a great option for long or busy days. It’s worth noting that many kennels have reduced their hours or capacity, or even paused services, during the pandemic. This is also something to consider. 

Friends And Family

Many people opt to ask friends or family members to watch their dogs when they leave town or are unavailable. There are some obvious benefits here: it’s often much cheaper, and people are comfortable leaving their pets in friendly, familiar hands. However, 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 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 Fido’s sitter or kennel is properly licensed, bonded, and insured. Of course, your pet should also be able to weigh in on the matter!

Trial Run

Whether you choose boarding or pet sitting, we recommend starting out with a short trial run. In case of boarding, an overnight stay is a great start. This helps Fido get used to his home away from home. With pet sitters, it allows you a chance to see how things go.

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