Have you ever considered a pet sitting service?

In which Jill goes to the other side of the pet care aisle.

In a recent blog post, I categorized the different types of board-and-train facilities based on their levels and types of service. It’s a hot topic in the pet parent world post-Covid, as people begin planning long-awaited vacations or return to their workplaces.

For many, doggy day care and boarding are viable options. These pet parents like the idea of their dogs romping around with people and other dogs, coming home happy and exhausted at the end of the day.

But many people simply aren’t comfortable with their dogs leaving home. Some have misgivings due to health or behavior issues. For others, the convenience of an in-home pet sitter is the only way to go.

There are certainly advantages to in-home pet care. For one thing, the dog sitter comes to you, obviating the need for drop-off and pickup. Dogs who stay in their home environments aren’t exposed to new situations that might add stress or health concerns. And any behavior or health issues which could be deal breakers for boarding facilities are dealt with at home.

As with boarding, the pet sitter services (and the costs associated with them) vary. Some pet owners need a simple service—say, having someone feed the cats and tend to the litter box once a day. In cases like this, a friend or neighbor might suffice.

Other pet families want the assurance that the pet sitter will be there not only to be the pet’s companion, but to take on specific care duties.

Kate Shelley has been a professional animal companion in the West Los Angeles area for 20 years. Her clients retain her to stay in their homes with their animals. For some clients, this means Kate spends the day with the animals while her clients are at work. When clients take business trips or vacations, Kate stays for weeks, and in some cases, a month or more. Some clients ask her to administer medication or make trips to the vet.  

“My clients know me and trust me,” she explains. “Not only are they giving me the keys to their homes, they are leaving their animals in my care. I have alarm codes, emergency contact information and veterinarians on speed dial in case something happens. It’s a huge responsibility.” 

When asked about finding a pet sitter, Kate advises talking to friends and family and getting references. Once you find a good candidate, avoid the all-too-common mistake of hiring them sight unseen. An in-person meeting is important, and should include deliberately introducing the sitter to your pet and going on a walk together.

“That’s your opportunity to see if it’s a fit,” Kate explains. “Can the sitter control your dog on leash? Do they yell out commands? You can tell a lot about a person by how your dog responds to them.”

Regular pet sitters can become fixtures in an animal’s life and often develop emotional bonds with their charges. “My clients’ animals are like my animals,” says Kate. “Every situation is different, just like every pet. I love my client’s dog. But I never forget that I’m working with humans, too.”