Summer is almost over, folks. Cooler temperatures are rolling in, watermelons will soon be replaced with pumpkins, and the kids are going back to school. With the worst of Covid seemingly in the rearview mirror, maybe the change in seasons even brings a return to the workplace. If you’re like some of us, you’re probably sitting down with your calendars in front of you plotting out your work and vacation schedules, when you see them:  Louie and Lola, your French Bulldogs, staring up at you with innocent puppy-dog eyes.

It’s time to hire a pet sitter. 

But it’s been a long year. Colleges are back in session, many people young and old have explored new career paths or relocated entirely, and the sitter you knew and trusted is no longer able to care for your pups. Or maybe you never had a Louie and Lola until the pandemic hit, and have never even hired a pet sitter. Maybe you have cats, bunnies, lizards, birds, or some other adorable addition to the family that needs care while you’re away. You want to make sure that whoever you hire is qualified and capable of showing your pets the same devotion they receive from you. So where do you begin? How do you find the right fit?

What Does a Pet Sitter Do?

For those completely new to the idea, pet sitters are animal caregivers who can provide your pets with daily midday dog walks while you’re at work, drop-in visits for things like feeding or medication while you’re out of town, pet taxi services to take your pet to the boarder, groomer, or vet, and many other services. There are one or two big, nationwide on-demand companies offering general services, and thousands of local, independent companies offering more thorough, customizable caregiving options.

What Does My Pet Really Need?

Knowing your pet’s needs is the first step in hiring someone reliable. How old is your pet? What kind of pet is it? Is it on medication or a specialized diet? Is there any veterinary advice specific to your pet to take into consideration? Every pet owner should know the answers to these simple questions offhand, and any reputable professional pet sitter should have no trouble tailoring a care plan to your needs based off of this information, and not being willing or able to do so (or neglecting to even ask) should be your first major red flag. It’s possible that your pet may require less or more care than a professional pet sitter typically offers and is better served through some other service. A reputable sitter will tell you this, too. 

What Makes a Professional Pet Sitter?

Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time utilizing or providing pet sitting services has certainly learned one lesson above all else: not all pet sitters are created equal. Poor performance can be a normal part of any service experience to be sure, but there are certain things you can ask from providers to help you more easily distinguish true professionals from hobbyists and side-giggers.

Legal Compliance: The absolute first thing you should look for from a pet sitter is that they are registered in their local jurisdiction to practice business in the first place. Offering services for sale without such registration is against the law and exposes you and your sitter to far more liability than with registered service providers. As long as the industry standard is to use Independent Contractors (think Rover and Wag!), it is highly recommended to make sure your specific sitter has registered their own business with their local jurisdiction, as most jurisdictions require Independent Contractors to meet all applicable business regulations independent of the company through which they contract. Any legitimate company or sitter will happily provide you any requested information regarding their registration and worker classification status.

Liability Insurance: Professional Pet Sitters understand that your pets are valued members of your family and that, in spite of this, pets are still animals. No matter how rare the case may be, it is always possible that your pet suffers an accident, injury, or illness while in your sitter’s care, and professionals make it their highest priority to ensure that in these rare instances you and your pet are covered by a thorough insurance policy. Such policies also cover your home from any accidents caused by your pet sitter. Again, Independent Contractors are typically not covered by companies’ General Liability Insurance policies so make sure your sitter is either an employee of their company or has their own Liability Insurance policy in place. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance if you want to know to what extent a company or sitter is insured.

Dishonesty Bonds: Professional Pet Sitters understand that not only is your pet in their care during service, but so is your home. As pet sitters are typically coming in and out of your home on a regular basis, it is important to ensure that whoever you hire is sufficiently bonded to cover you in the event of theft or other damaging acts of dishonesty for which your sitter may be responsible.

Professional Certification: Probably the most effective and least understood measure of a Professional Pet Sitter is whether or not they have attained an industry-recognized professional certification such as that offered by NAPPS. Certification shows that your sitter has invested financially in performing the job to a higher standard by way of thorough knowledge assessments and continuing education. Most professional certifications include a First Aid course that prepares your sitter to distinguish mild incidents from serious accidents and empowers your sitter to care for your pet under certain adverse medical circumstances. This can save you money, time, and worry, in addition to helping your pet avoid accident, illness, injury, or even death. Hiring a pet sitter who possesses a professional certification usually comes at no or very little additional service cost.

Services Offered: A small, but important aspect of hiring a pet sitter is ensuring that their services are catered specifically to your pets’ needs rather than actually putting your pet in a potentially harmful situation. For instance, a 30-minute walk for a puppy under 6 months old can potentially damage developing bones or cause long-term health problems. Look for pet sitters that offer shorter durations as an option for such circumstances. Furthermore, a pet sitter should always offer a Meet & Greet option. Sending someone into a house with your pet without an introduction can potentially harm your sitter, your pet, or your home. Take a close look at the services a sitter or company offers to make sure that those services meet your needs and goals. Never hire a pet sitter who is willing to walk your dog off-leash or board your pets in their own home (unless their residence is zoned for such business). These practices are not only illegal in most cases, but they can potentially expose you to significant liability and your pet to increased risk of harm.

Going back to work or school doesn’t have to mean a change in routine for your pet, and routine is everything to our furry (and feathery, and scaly) family members. Hiring a pet sitter for your pets while you’re away during the day or overnight can go a long way in improving or maintaining your pets’ behavior and health, increasing their lifespan as a result. It can alleviate your worry and stress and allow you more flexibility in your family’s schedule. No matter your situation, NAPPS is always here to help you find the pet sitter best suited to you and your little loved ones.

To find NAPPS-Member Pet Sitters in your area, visit https://pro.petsitters.org/