• Does your holiday travel plan include your pets?

    December 16, 2009

    Posted in: Uncategorized

    ’Tis the season for marathon shopping trips, festive parties and seeing the extended family, but what if the invitation doesn’t include Fido?

     

    For pet owners with holiday plans, there is still time to book a professional pet sitter.  Pet Sitters International, the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, has three simple steps to help pet owners find the very best in-home pet care.

     

    Step 1 - Find a professional pet sitter in less than one minute.

    Finding the right professional pet sitter for the family dog, cat, bird, reptile, horse…you name it, is just a few clicks away. PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator is a ZIP code-driven search tool that enables pet owners to conduct a criteria-based search of nearly 8,000 independent professional pet-sitting businesses in less than one minute.

     

    Step 2 - Ensure the safety and security of your pet and home.

    Since 1994, PSI has asked all members to adhere to the Recommended Quality Standards for Excellence in Pet Sitting. PSI encourages pet owners to consider its Quality Standards when searching for the perfect pet-sitting professional. These standards describe a pet sitter who:

     

    • is bonded and insured.
    • visits your home before the first pet-sitting assignment to meet the pets and get detailed information about their care.
    • exhibits courtesy and professionalism.
    • provides references.
    • provides a service contract that specifies services, fees and time allocated per visit.
    • conducts business with honesty and integrity.
    • has adequate knowledge and experience in caring for pets and is clearly mindful of their safety and well-being.
    • phones to confirm you have returned home.
    • has a veterinarian on call for emergency service.
    • has a contingency plan for pet care in case of inclement weather or personal illness.

     

    Step 3 – Find the best fit for you and your pet.

    PSI recommends that all pet owners conduct an initial interview to evaluate candidates and review credentials. It’s also the best way for sitters to familiarize themselves with the pets and homes in which they will be working.  PSI offers a one of a kind Pet Sitter Interview checklist to help pet owners evaluate their pet’s caregiver.

     

    For more information on the advantages of hiring a professional pet sitter, visit www.petsit.com/owners.

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