Animal Chronicles Spring 2007
Pet Sitters Stand Up for Marin Pets
by Monica Norcia
Pet sitting, an honored task once relegated to neighbors and friends, has become one of the fastest-growing home-based businesses in the world, according to Pet Sitters International (PSI).
In 1995, PSI had about 1,000 members. Ten years later, membership stood at 7,400, with 1,500 in California.
Offering peace of mind
Pet guardians want one thing only: to come back from vacation and know that their four-legged friend’s routine has continued uninterrupted. That means daily feeding and clean water, scooped litterboxes and walks, and, most important, human contact.
Lilie Robertson of Novato tries to find vacation accommodations that take dogs. But when that’s not possible, she has clear guidelines about what she’s looking for in her pet sitter: consistency of walking and feeding. Her Keeshond, Tosca, eats at 6:30 am and if her meal is late, beware! Tosca starts vocalizing like the best of sopranos. Robertson wants someone with good references who can abide by a definite schedule. The final decision, of course, lies with Tosca and how she interacts with the sitter.
Professional pet sitters charge, on average, $50–$75 ($10–$20 less for cats) for an overnight stay in your home. Boarding your pet at the sitter’s home instead can be slightly less expensive.
More than just vacation care
Aside from the essential dog and cat activities, professional pet sitters, who are bonded and insured, can also provide daily exercise, group socialization for dogs, medical support and pet chauffeuring. They will also bring in the mail and water the plants.
Fern Kepke, a Novato kindergarten teacher, hired a pet sitter because she is gone all day and her Tibetan terrier mix, Kirby, “would have gotten into mischief” at home without daily romps.
Dubbed a “special needs dog” because of his allergies and affinity for attracting foxtails, she has a pet sitter come by five times a week to give him some exercise while she’s at school. She went through a couple of pet sitters before finding the right match, saying professionalism, reliability and attention to safety are most important to her. It’s vital that “they will be there when they say they’ll be there,” she said.
Ensuring safety and success
What makes for a high-quality pet-sitting experience for humans and four-legged friends alike? Kristin Morrison, owner of Woof Pet Sitting Service, which has 25 people on staff, says it’s all in the preliminaries. The more information she and her sitters have, the better. That includes a full pet behavioral and medical history, where you’re going, where you can be reached and any specific behavioral traits.
It’s also a good idea to have your credit card on file at the vet in case of an emergency. A checkup before you travel is helpful, as well as laying out all the accoutrements of the job: food, brushes, hairball goop, toys, treats, meds, extra cat litter, vet’s number, and whatever else you think will make Fluffy happy while you’re away.
Nancy Haggerty, owner of the pet-sitting service Paws and Claws, agrees that it’s important to have sufficient information about an animal so that if a behavior crops up that isn’t the norm, the sitter can decide whether a call to the vet is in order. The goal of a pet sitter is to create a bond with the animals, which, says Haggerty, helps to reduce the stress caused by their guardians’ absence.
For some Marin pets, boarding might not be an option due to their … uniqueness. Morrison says she has taken care of iguanas, ducks, chickens, horses, fish, rodents, parrots, and even a tarantula.
Finding a good sitter
Word of mouth is often a great way to find a pet sitter, and a Web search can take you to both Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, which provide links to many local pet sitters. Pet sitters range from passionate sole proprietors to efficient franchises. The Marin Humane Society offers a list of local pet sitters, many of whom are volunteers and former employees with veterinary, behavior and training experience (write behavior@marinhumanesociety.org). And, for many, Craigslist is the place to start, although screening becomes extra important.
The best advice is to check references and “listen to your gut” when hiring a pet sitter. Not only will that person be taking care of your beloved companions, she or he will also be taking care of your home. You want to trust that while you’re away having fun, Benji is safe, healthy and not missing you too much. Give your sitter all the information necessary. One Tiburon client gave Morrison an invaluable tidbit: “If Oscar escapes through the broken fence, you’ll find him at the Boardwalk Market. That’s where he gets treats!”
Monica Norcia is a volunteer cat behavior evaluator at MHS.
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