If you’re a pet owner, part of making travel plans is figuring out what to do with your fur kids while you’re away. Pets are family, so you want to find the best available care. Follow this guide to help you understand the benefits of having a great pet sitter and how to find them.

Tips for Finding a Reliable Pet Sitter

Finding a reliable pet sitter can be made easier by exploring a few different options. Start by asking for recommendations from friends, family, or your veterinarian, as personal referrals are often the most trustworthy. You can also browse pet sitting websites and apps like Rover or Care.com to find sitters with strong reviews. Posting in local community groups on platforms like Nextdoor or Facebook is another effective way to connect with potential sitters or gather recommendations from neighbors. Additionally, consider creating a custom advertisement using this online tool and sharing it at local vet offices, pet stores, or community boards. Lastly, don’t forget to check with local pet businesses such as groomers or trainers, who might offer pet sitting services or know someone reliable.

How Can You Vet Candidates?

Before you start searching for a pet sitter, consider how often you need them there. Ask yourself if it would be more beneficial to hire a house sitter, someone who can care for the pets and watch over the house as well? Then think about the questions you want to ask when interviewing potential candidates. The Savvy Sitter recommends that you ask some important questions before you commit, including:

• What animal experience or training do you have?
• What would you do if my pet had an emergency?
• Do you have references and reviews?
• Will you meet me and my pet ahead of time?

Don’t forget to ask for references and actually check them. It is easy to forge references, so it could be in your best interest to find someone through a service.

How Can You Keep Communication Lines Open While Gone?

You may think it is enough to simply give the sitter your cell phone number to keep in contact, but anything can happen while traveling. You could lose the phone or be somewhere without service. Be sure to provide a comprehensive list of contacts. For example, include your email and hotel information. Talk to your neighbors about being available when you aren’t reachable. 

Give the sitter the name of your vet in case of emergencies. They should be able to reach someone at all times. It’s a good idea to keep a digital copy of this list, in case it gets misplaced.

Leave Clear Instructions 

When leaving your pet in the care of a sitter, clear instructions are crucial for ensuring your pet’s routine and needs are properly followed. Include important details such as feeding times, medication schedules, and any specific behaviors to watch for. Clearly outline emergency contacts and provide any other critical information the sitter might need. This helps ensure your pet’s care is consistent and minimizes stress for both your pet and the sitter.

What Should You Leave Behind?

Make sure you have all the supplies the sitter will need before you leave. In a rush, you might think to leave them some money to purchase things, but you can’t be sure they will buy the right products. You don’t want to risk leaving your pet without the things they need. Keep everything stocked in an easy place and make sure it is out of the animal’s reach. Just to be careful, you can leave a small cash reserve hidden somewhere safe.

Mind Your Pet’s Behavior

Monitoring your pet’s behavior before and after your time away is essential for ensuring their well-being. Changes in habits such as eating less or more than usual, or increased scratching, can be signs of stress or anxiety caused by your absence. These behavioral cues are important indicators that your pet may need extra care or adjustment time. Upon your return, it’s crucial to spend plenty of time with your pet, offering reassurance and affection to help them feel secure and loved. This can significantly alleviate their stress and help restore their normal behavior.

Should You Talk to Your Vet?

Before you go, talk to your vet about anything else you should consider. They should know your pet well and help you make choices about how best to handle the change. This is especially important if you have a nervous animal with separation anxiety.

Prepare and Travel Stress-Free

Having a pet sitter relieves stress for you and your pet when you need to travel without them. Once you find someone you can trust, you will feel better about traveling without your furry loved one. Remember to keep the lines of communication open and prepare for all possibilities to make the process easier for everyone.