Find Your Pet Care Professional!

Maybe you just adopted your first pet! Maybe your previous pet care pro moved away or their availability changed. How do you find someone to take care of your pet with the same love and affection that you show them? Using these steps!!

START YOUR SEARCH by asking around at the dog park or vet, doing a google search, and scanning local Facebook groups.

Most of my clients find me on Facebook either because someone referred me in the comments section of a post, or because they saw me advertise in a Facebook group and were pleased with my website.

BOOK THE MEET & GREET

This comes after the introductory phone call or email where you describe what you are looking for: weekly or sporadic walks, boarding, or feedings (for cats and other non-dog animals). Yes, even non-dog parents need a meet & greet.

The in-person meet & greet will help your pet become familiar with this new person, and help you determine if this pet care professional is the right fit.

NOTE: If you plan to have someone come to your home for services, the meet & greet takes place at your house. If you plan to board your pet, you'll go to the pet sitter's home, or wherever they board.

THE 3 BIG Q's!

These questions separate the pet care professionals from those who are just not professional.

1.) Experience: How long have they been in pet care, and have they provided care for a pet like your own (puppy, senior, hyper, strong)?

Personally, I recommend someone who is full time and passionate with rates which reflect that. Someone might offer to board a puppy overnight for $30, but someone whose rate is $85 probably has great answers to the following questions!

Compare rates in your area to understand what's the most common.

Ask for referrals. Those with experience probably have reviews on their social media or website. It's not necessarily a red flag if they don't have public reviews; it's possible that this pro never thought to collect reviews, maybe because they are early in their career. Your question might be the incentive they need!

2.) Safety: Are they prepared to prevent and respond to various scenarios and situations such as encountering aggressive dogs, recognizing a seizure, and dressing wounds.

For pet pros as well as pet parents I recommend checking out the courses and guides at the links below.

The Dog Safe course is intensive and the worst-case scenario videos can get a bit squeamish, but every time I pass the 152-question quiz, I feel like a super star! dogsafe.ca

RECOVER Initiative's main priority is veterinary specialists, but they have a quick CPR course that can be completed in less than an hour. RECOVER Initiative

The ASPCA site shares a lot of safety information including the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline. www.aspca.org

3.) Insurance: This comes in handy for the pet care pro if your dog injures a person or another pet while on their watch, or if the pet care pro unintentionally damages your property. Be prepared for them to ask about your insurance, as well.

YOU FOUND A PRO!

You had the meet & greet, and it's a match!! Now how do you transfer all of your pet's quirks and needs to the pet care pro? You could use my Pet Sitter's Playbook, available to download from my Etsy shop! Also available for cats, as pictured below.

conveniently fits in a large, clear bag to keep medicines with the profile

This is a format that I use with all of my clients, and it can be used if your pet is staying in your home or somewhere else.

The playbook lists your pet's daily routine like mealtimes and sleeping habits, their personality quirks (if they need booties to go out in the rain/snow and how they react to fireworks), medical needs and their communication cues, as well as where to find things in your home such as your pet first aid kit and cleaning supplies.

Print, Complete and Post on your refrigerator like those 90's babysitting days because to most people, their pet is their baby! You can also keep it in digital format to easily share with others.

Congratulations on finding a pro for your pet! I know your pet will build a great connection which will make you comfortable sharing the responsibility when you need help!

Not convinced you need a pet care pro? Maybe you've been building your life around your dog's schedule, or you work from home so why would you need someone?

Check out my blog post: WFH Parents Need Pet Care Pros, too!

Please boop your pet for me,

Jes