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Finding Your Paw-fect Dog Sitter – The Questions to ask & Answers… We all want to be independent and look after our pets ourselves, but sometimes we have to trust a hired professional with our precious pooch. We have detailed below some questions you should ask potential pet sitters before making a decision on who’s the right fit. Should I Hire A Pet Sitter? In short, “Yes” if you’re unable to keep them safe while you’re away from home. While most dogs will be fine during the day, you need to make sure that your dog is looked after overnight. Not only will they get a loving lap to lounge around on, but you also will feel safe in the knowledge that your pet is being fed, exercised and given plenty of bathroom breaks. Where Should I Look To Find A Sitter? The best place to find a pet sitter is your own network. Friends and family make the best sitters as your pooch has probably already met them and will therefore feel comfortable with them. If a friend or family member can look after your dog in your own home, your dog will feel much more settled being in an environment they know. Other places to look are local shelters or even vets will be able to recommend kennels or doggy boarding centres. Leaving your pet with a kennel or boarding shelter can be a daunting prospect for both you and your dog. Below are some questions to ask to make sure your dog will be cared for properly whilst you are away, meaning that you can rest assured that your dog is being giving lots of love. Questions to ask: It is simply not enough to just ask whether they have availability, you need to make sure that your pet will receive as much love and care as they do when they are with their fur mum/dad. Below are some questions worth asking: 1) Do they have a licence? Every dog boarding establishment needs to now apply for a licence from their local council who will ensure the home and care are up to standard. 2) Will the sitter provide care in their home or yours? As mentioned previously, dogs prefer to be in an environment which is familiar so this should always be preferred. 3) Do they have liability insurance to protect your home and pet in case of an accident or negligence? We dread to think of the worst, but it’s something we need to ask in case the worst does happen. 4) What type of training have they completed? A lot of sitters will have been on dog training/handling courses. Especially if your sitter will be looking after your dog with others, its important to know they understand dog behaviour to make sure they can always keep your dog safe around other pooches. 5) How will I know my pet is okay? Some places offer live web cams so that you are able to check in on your dog 24/7. This transparency offers some assurance that your pet will be receiving the best of care. 6) How many other pets will be in their care during the timeframe you’ve requested? If your dog is nervous or aggressive with other dogs then this will be very important. You also need to know whether those dogs have been vaccinated. 7) Does your pet sitter have the ability to transport your animal to emergency veterinary care if necessary? Again we dread to think of the worst, but it’s something we need to ask in case the worst does happen and your dog needs to get to the vets fast. 8) Do they have a backup plan should they become ill or otherwise unable to care for your pet? Even if they are unable to care for your dog, they need to make sure that dogs in their care are still being looked after so it is important to ask what contingencies are in place for such situations. 9) Do they provide supplemental services, such as training or grooming? If your dog has demanding fur then grooming services may be needed especially if they are being walked every day. Making sure that they are not only being fed and walked but also that they are being groomed is very important. In a nutshell: it not too hard to find quality care if you are happy to put the time into researching local services. The thought of leaving your beloved pooch with a stranger is intimidating, especially if it’s your first time. But the vast majority of pet sitters are simply people whose hearts and homes have extra space to make sure that no pet is ever left alone.