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Screening a pet sitter?

post #1 of 6
11/26/10 at 9:02pm
Thread Starter 
I'm going out of town for a week next month, I was thinking of hiring someone to come and check on the cats and give them their meds while I'm gone. Family members will be home but they don't really handle the cats much and I'm not sure if they'll be able to give them the pills. I found someone who is a vet tech and does petsitting but I don't know them personally and I was wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to "screen" them to make sure they are really trustworthy?
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post #2 of 6
11/26/10 at 10:06pm
Sending you a PM
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post #3 of 6
11/27/10 at 11:00am
I found mine through a recommendation from my local shelter.

Today at the vet's office I saw a brochure for a pet-sitter who is also a vet tech (also Chicago area so it may be the same one). If my vet has the brochure out, he must know about this person. But before using this service, I'd ask him and/or his staff about it.

So, if I were looking for a new pet sitting service, I'd ask for recommendations from my vet and/or those who work in the animal welfare field.

They should be bonded and insured and they should be able to give you names of clients who have used them. And I'd follow up and call the clients.

Another thing I'd want to know is what kind of communication with the sitter is available to you. My sitters provide a written report every day, and I can call or e-mail for reports daily. My sitters come before the visit the first time, or if it's been a long time, or if there are new pets since the last time (which you have to pay the regular visit fee for this) to meet the pets, have you fill out a form detailing care for each pet, and to be shown where things are and how you want them done.

Robin
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post #4 of 6
11/27/10 at 11:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bastetservant View Post
I found mine through a recommendation from my local shelter.

Today at the vet's office I saw a brochure for a pet-sitter who is also a vet tech (also Chicago area so it may be the same one). If my vet has the brochure out, he must know about this person. But before using this service, I'd ask him and/or his staff about it.

So, if I were looking for a new pet sitting service, I'd ask for recommendations from my vet and/or those who work in the animal welfare field.

They should be bonded and insured and they should be able to give you names of clients who have used them. And I'd follow up and call the clients.

Another thing I'd want to know is what kind of communication with the sitter is available to you. My sitters provide a written report every day, and I can call or e-mail for reports daily. My sitters come before the visit the first time, or if it's been a long time, or if there are new pets since the last time (which you have to pay the regular visit fee for this) to meet the pets, have you fill out a form detailing care for each pet, and to be shown where things are and how you want them done.

Robin
Yes ask.. there is a pet sitter who has his/ her leaflets in all the vet offices around here yet when asked NOT one vet know this person...
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post #5 of 6
11/27/10 at 1:59pm
also, ask if they are licensed - if that's important to you

http://www.petsitusa.com/blog/?p=795

I found a Chicago link: http://outugo.com/oak_park_pet_sitte...FREPbAodCTghYg

http://petsitting10.com/directory/me...07-Chicago.htm
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post #6 of 6
11/28/10 at 5:01am
This article may help.

http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/17/Pe...ers-Guide.html
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