What makes a pet sitter; a professional pet sitter?

Today I stumbled upon an article titled "An open letter to pet owners who don't use professional pet sitters". I believe there is a level of information, knowledge and understanding that needs to be considered before answering the question of "What makes a pet sitter; a professional pet sitter?". As a professional dog mom providing pet care services, I have to say I am with mixed emotions after reading this article. After nearly a decades work in Corporate America, I left what most would consider a financially secure job to pursue an independent career in pet care services. This is not a part-time gig or a hobby for me. I took my passion as a pet parent, my business acumen and decided to open my own full-time pet care business. Is it to say I am less of a professional because I am not affiliated to a branded company? If I have not paid to belong to a membership with an organization, does this make me devoid of the title of a professional? Does having credentials fully support the level of awareness I have to handle situation(s) in your home or to provide for your pet(s) needs.

There is a large part of me which agrees with the message of this article. With the influx of Uber-like pet-care sites popping up and more people looking to cash in on part-time dog walking and pet sitting, pet people need to become better informed. I constantly encourage the pet community and any of my prospective clients to conduct thorough screening or research into any pet care provider and most importantly to always have a meet and greet before starting any services. Quite frankly, I have a heightened concern to how these "dog walking apps" even manage. As a professional pet care provider, I cannot fathom agreeing to do business with a client or dog I have not met in advance of services. Moreover as a dog mom, I am weary of complete strangers entering my home in my absence and leaving them to care for my beloved pet without knowing how either would respond.

As budget conscious pet people with busy schedules, I can understand how or why some of these sites or even hiring a neighbor or friend may be appealing. However, I urge you to please consider all of your pet's needs and the level of attention or care you seek for your home as well. I won't get into details and horror stories of crimes and animal abuse that take place regularly. We all have access to media outlets and technology constantly reminding us with the gory details and videos. I am also not here to judge any individual pet care provider, the app-like services that are out there or to question business credentials. I can only speak for myself and share the information I have to help you make the best and most informed decisions for your needs and the needs of your pets. I have listed some helpful tips to assist in your search for a professional pet care provider. As always, my mission is to ensure all our pets and their humans are happy, healthy and safe first.

Feel free to contact me should you have any questions about this list or would like to know more about the services I provide.

1. Do not hire anyone who you have not met first? Remember the old adage "Stranger Danger!' 2. Trust in your instincts. Your pet is also a good judge of character. See how your pet responds and their level of comfort with whomever you meet. 3. Being Insured or Bonded does not make someone a professional. Do not be afraid to ask for references. Any professional pet care provider would gladly supply you with this information. 4. Ratings and reviews are an excellent place to start your search for a pet sitter. However, do not go on reviews alone. In a world run by technology, not all reviews are from real customers/users of the service and there are not enough systems or softwares to validate their authenticity. Again, do not be afraid to ask for references and to follow through on calling the references provided. You are entrusting someone to come into your home and with your beloved companion(s). 5. Being Certified or Licensed to care for pets is great especially when looking for a pet sitter. However, feel free to ask some questions to gain a better understanding of who this person is as an individual. As noted above, in addition to supplying pet care you are also entrusting this someone with your home. Ask questions to fit your needs. Anyone who is offering care services should not have any hesitations to ensure all your questions and concerns are addressed as this helps us to provide you with the level of service that matches your needs. 6. Make time. If you are looking to get a new puppy or welcome a new dog into the home, allow yourself enough time to find a good fit and schedule consultations. This is not something to be rushed. 7. Address issues with your pet care provider immediately as they come up. True professionals welcome feedback as this helps us to better service our customers. 8. You should have a way to directly contact who is providing you with care and the care provider to you. In my experience, anything can come up and sometimes we need to get in contact with one another.

DISCLAIMER:

All data, information and/or content contained in this blog is for general informational purposes only. JoJo and KiKo Pet Services LLC. and Nancy Chan makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of any information contained on this blog and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, loss, injuries or damages arising from its display or use. Any reliance you place on the information contained in this blog is strictly at your own discretion. The blog post may contain topics or content related to health and safety. Any health, medical or safety matters should be discussed and consulted with your medical professional or professional trainer.