Have you ever hired a petsitter? [I need help]
By Valenas
@Valenas (1507)
United States
June 18, 2010 2:50pm CST
What types of qualities were you looking for when you were seeking out a petsitter? When you met the person, which sorts of questions did you ask them? Did you let them stay in your house while they watched your pets, did your pets stay with them, or did they just stop by periodically throughout the day? How was your overall experience with this process?
Feel free to answer even if you have never hired a petsitter, as I am seeking all sorts of input here. If you have reasons where you refuse to hire a petsitter, why not? Do you have friends or family with good/bad experiences?
Thank you in advance for any input.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@cryw0lf (1302)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 10
Ive never hired a pet sitter.. but a good question would probably be - how they would deal if the animal was vicious towards them etc. You should want to see a CRB (thats an english thing if you're from a diff country, basically a criminal record) before letting them in your house!... Id probably prefer a pet sitter to do it at their house, if you' decide that, then i suggest you asking to view their house just to see the safety issues for your pet.. just general questions about any sort of safety really.
1 person likes this
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
18 Jun 10
That is a really good question. I already work with animals and in my experience I have come to understand that some people do not realize that an animal does not have the same level of cognition and understanding that we do. It is in their nature to protect themselves and when uncomfortable that can result in aggression. Unsocialized animals tend to be the worst off in this area when introduced to unfamiliar and uncomfortable environments. I definitely do not think that I could hire somebody that would have a poor reaction should an animal have an aggressive reaction.
Thank you very much.
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
18 Jun 10
I have had both good and bad experiences with pet sitters. It's important to hire someone you know and trust or else have good references for.
Many years ago I had two cats and two dogs. I had a couple come live in my house while I was going to school. I told them not to let the cats outside and to walk the dogs but keep them inside. When my sister went to check on the animals because I was concerned...I had not heard from these people since I left for school...she found the dogs were not being tended. My big dog was at the neighbor's house and the little one was in his cage. There was no dog food in the house. My sister took my dogs home with her and tended them for me the rest of the time.
When I got home, my house was a mess and they had moved out. Both my cats were outside and they had even put their dishes on the back porch. I only got one cat back. To top it all off, they had run my phone bill up over $150 which I never collected.
On the other hand, when my family had a reunion my sister needed her dog sat for the weekend. I asked one of the girls who rode my school bus and she asked her parents. They took the dog into their home and he was well taken care of. Other times I have hired kids to just come and feed my cats when I was on a road trip, which is what I prefer to do now as I have a pool of kids to choose from at church.
Bottom line is that it is important to know you can trust whoever you have take care of your pets.
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