International Pet Sitters Week is the first week of March! This event was founded by PSI, the world’s largest professional pet sitters organization. While your dog would love to go everywhere with you, that just isn’t always possible. Even though many people have been working from home this year, that won’t last forever. And there are still times that people need to leave their pets in the care of others. A local vet discusses pet sitting below.
Benefits of A Sitter
Why should you use a pet sitter or dog walker? They can be a perfect solution for times when you’re busy or working long hours. Man’s Best Friend is usually pretty good about holding it, but he can only go so long. The fresh air, exercise, stimulation, and company that a dog walker provides will definitely benefit him, and just help break up his alone time.
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. It’s worth noting that many kennels have reduced capacity or paused services during the pandemic. This may make pet sitting the obvious choice for some.
Friends And Family
Many people opt to ask friends or family members to watch their dogs when leaving town. There are some obvious benefits here: it’s often much cheaper, and people are comfortable leaving their canine pals 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 going to be foolproof. Ask for references, and check review sites. You may also want to ask your friends, family members, co-workers, and veterinarian if they have any recommendations. One thing that is very important is making sure that your canine pal’s pet sitter or kennel is properly licensed, bonded, and insured. Of course, Fido should also be able to weigh in. See how he reacts to his potential pet sitter.
Trial Run
Whether you end up choosing boarding or pet sitting, we recommend starting out with a short trial run. In case of boarding, this will help 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 in Live Oak, FL, today!
