Meeting with Cat Sitters...what to ask them?

missinthesouth

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I have a meeting set up with two different pet sitting services this week. They are both insured and bonded, both the same rates and both have the time of our vacation available.

What should I ask them to determine which would be better for Carl?
 

persi & alley

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Originally Posted by MissintheSouth

I have a meeting set up with two different pet sitting services this week. They are both insured and bonded, both the same rates and both have the time of our vacation available.

What should I ask them to determine which would be better for Carl?
References.
Do you yourself have cats?
Who will actually take care of my cat?
What is your backup plan is you become sick?
What services do you provide?
Do you take the time to play with the pets?
 

abymummy

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The above questions are great - especially on references.
Another ? - What will you do if my cat gets ill?

May not help but what I do with prospective owners is let the cat choose which one he prefers.
 

luckygirl

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How much time will you be spending at my home?

(I would want someone to be there for an hour at least....to interact with Carl, and give him the love and petting that he needs)

What about emergencies? How is that handled? Do you give them the right to act on your behalf at the vets? (If so do they need a note/phone call into the vets with the pet sitters info?) And they will need 24hr emergency vet info also....

I'll keep thinking....
 
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missinthesouth

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Thanks for the ideas! In the end, it will be whoever Carl prefers (assuming they are both reliable and have good references, etc). One is a guy and one is a girl, so I guess it will be up to Carl whether he prefers girls or boys (I don't know). I like the girl better just as a first phone impression, but then again I assume that women are more nurturing to animals, which is not always the case.

So far I have these questions:
1. References list, can I contact them? Are these all cat owners or are some dog owners?
2. What time(s) of the day will you be coming over?
3. How long do you stay?
4. Will you also get our mail?
5. Are you trained in any vetrinary way (certified, vet tech, etc)?
6. How would you handle an emergency? Do you charge anything for emergency trips?
7. Do you keep a record of your time with Carl (like a daily diary for us to read when we get home)?
8. Do you have cats?
9. How long have you been pet sitting?
 

gailuvscats

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Those are all good questions, and they will probably have the answers without you having to ask. They want your emergency info and vet info and you will sign a paper granting them permission to take the animal to the vet. The most important thing you can do is call all the references, and read between the lines. If they don't sing the praises of the sitter, but just say things like they were ok, or I was satisfied, that might mean lackluster service.
 
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