Professional Pet Sitter Week
Did you know there’s a Professional Pet Sitters’ Week? Well, this is it! That’s why we think this is a great opportunity to highlight some of the reasons why a professional pet sitter is a good idea for those times when you need to leave your cat behind.
A professional pet sitter is just that… professional. And that matters. When a person makes it their profession, it means they know they’re being trusted with your beloved pet and your home. Because it’s their business, reputation matters and their livelihood depends on your being satisfied with their services and referring them to others.
Cat sitting shouldn’t be their “side gig”. It should be treated as a primary responsibility, and you want your sitter to focus on these important details:
Is your kitty eating and drinking?
Is your kitty’s litter box activity normal?
Is your kitty behaving normally? Not hiding? Being “himself” (that is, not introverted if he’s normally extroverted, for example)?
Of course, it’s easy to understand the reasons why a cat sitter is beneficial. But it can be more difficult to find a cat sitter who you trust and who will pay close attention to your cat’s needs when you’re away.
The best way to search for a sitter is to ask your friends, neighbors, or colleagues for recommendations. If you can’t find a sitter through word-of-mouth, you might have to branch out to online searches on sites like NextDoor, Facebook, or Google to find someone nearby.
Here are some questions to help evaluate a prospective pet sitter:
Is the person and/or company insured and bonded? Who is entering your home. You should meet each individual who will be caring for your cat in your absence.
Are they listed with the National Association of Pet Sitters, Pet Sitters International, or another reputable pet sitting organization?
Do they have a website and/or social media presence? Read reviews if they are available.
Is the pet sitter cat-focused and mindful of kitty’s personal space, along with having a genuine interest in the cat?
Are they known by your neighbors or friends who have used pet sitters?
Do they have reliable transportation to your home?
What are their available hours?
Are they able to administer pills, insulin, sub-q fluids or other care for your cat’s specific needs?
Have a meet-and-greet to determine whether the person has the “feel” you’re comfortable with.
Professional cat sitter Joanne Van Stone of www.thecompleatcat.com serves pet families across the Capital Region. She says it’s helpful if the pet parent is prepared ahead of time for the initial meeting.
First, she says that if the kitty is shy, everyone should be confined to one room so that the cat can “get a good sniff”.
Here are the questions Joanne asks of new clients:
What’s the kitty’s personality? Is she a lap kitty? Does she like tummy rubs? Is she a door-dasher, so I would need to be extra-cautious going in and out? What are the favorite hiding spots?
If there’s medication, how much is the dosage, at what times of day, and where is it located?
Where is the food stored, when and where does she eat, and how much? What about treats? Joanne also asks parents to leave her brush out.
Where are the water bowls? Tap or filtered water? Ice cubes (yes, some of Joanne’s clients prefer their water with ice!)?
What about toys and brushing? Is there a toy box and if so, what are her favorites? She always brings a new toy.
It’s very important to have a plan in case of emergency or in case the kitty requires medical attention while you’re away. Joanne will always ask for the pet parent to leave the contact information of the cat’s vet and emergency or after-hours vet. It’s also important to leave the sitter’s name on file with the vet, along with a form of payment just in case it’s needed in an emergency.
Provide the sitter with an extra key or another method of access to the home, and be sure there’s a plan for snow removal and driveway access in case of bad weather.
Remember that there are emergency situations that can arise, and you want to know that a pet sitter will know the signs and symptoms and how to get help.
What if….
… kitty develops an intestinal blockage or UTI, gets locked in a closet, gets locked outside, develops a severe case of pancreatitis, turns on the gas stove by accident, attacks the pet sitter, or something else?
Lots of unforeseen issues can arise, so you need to know that your cat and your home are being managed by someone who is competent and has good judgment.
Our recommendation is always to keep your cat in their familiar place at home, even while you’re away. But sometimes that’s not possible for various reasons. If you’re not able to find a great sitter, Just Cats will board your cat (https://justcatsvet.com/services/boarding.html).
Safe travels if you’re heading out, and it definitely makes for a better vacation if you know your cat is safe and sound at home.
Photos courtesy of The Compleat Cat.
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"At Just Cats, we understand the importance of cats being in their own environment to reduce stress when their people are away. Joanne at The Compleat Cat has been taking care of our client’s cats for years to give them the peace of mind that their furry friends will be well taken care of in their absence. We so appreciate being able to refer our clients to someone we know and trust will take the best care of your cats!"
Missy Filarecki, CVPM
Practice Manager
Just Cats Veterinary Clinic
