Preparing for the Pet Sitter
Choosing a pet sitter is a leap of faith, for you and for the sitter. You are entrusting your pet and your home to someone you don’t necessarily know. To be sure it goes well, first consider the following about choosing a pet sitter.
Getting Ready for the Pet Sitter
The relationship with the pet sitter should begin with exchanging information… lots and lots of it. A professional pet sitter will set up an initial meeting with you to gather information about your pet, your home, and your preferences regarding both. The pet sitter will take good notes and confirm all details back to you in an email to check for accuracy.
Before the Pet Sitter Arrives: A Checklist
If House Sitting is Involved
All of the above applies, as well as:
A house sitter is a paid guest but is still a guest. Both client and sitter should be comfortable with the arrangements, for the best outcome.
The information on this page, as well as throughout this site, is copyrighted and is for the exclusive use of clients of Cozee Pet Sitters. It is protected by copyright laws and by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Choosing a pet sitter is a leap of faith, for you and for the sitter. You are entrusting your pet and your home to someone you don’t necessarily know. To be sure it goes well, first consider the following about choosing a pet sitter.
- Is the pet sitter a professional?
- Does the pet sitter know how to give medications?
- Does the pet sitter ask the right questions?
- Does the pet sitter communicate well while you’re away?
- Have you asked for references?
Getting Ready for the Pet Sitter
The relationship with the pet sitter should begin with exchanging information… lots and lots of it. A professional pet sitter will set up an initial meeting with you to gather information about your pet, your home, and your preferences regarding both. The pet sitter will take good notes and confirm all details back to you in an email to check for accuracy.
Before the Pet Sitter Arrives: A Checklist
- Make sure a neighbor or local friend knows the dates the pet sitter is coming and has an extra key.
- Prepare and put out all foods and medications.
- Leave outside lights and some inside lights on.
- Empty trash and be sure there are extra trash bags.
- Stock extra paper towels.
- If you have a preference for cleaning materials (pets sometimes have accidents), be sure to make those available.
- Be sure pet sitter knows when the maid or anyone else will be in the house while you’re away.
- Close doors to off-limits rooms.
- Let the alarm company know you have someone coming; it’s a good idea to set up a special pass code for the sitter.
If House Sitting is Involved
All of the above applies, as well as:
- Turn off alarm clocks.
- Let house sitter know if he or she is welcome to items in the fridge.
- Store valuables and breakables. If there will be pets present with the house sitter, be sure to stow away anything the pet might damage (or might be danger to the pet) while the pet sitter is running errands or sleeping. We can’t be responsible for items a pet finds in the house.
- Leave remote controls handy.
- If you use timers for lights, be sure those are set and the house sitter understands the schedule.
- You may choose to have the post office hold your mail.
- Show the sitter where to sleep, change the towels and linens and have an extra set available.
- If you have service agreements with home repair or other companies, have a copy of those handy.
- Be sure all utilities, cable, etc. are paid.
- Leave the house relatively clean and tidy.
- Show the house sitter where his or personal items may be stowed.
A house sitter is a paid guest but is still a guest. Both client and sitter should be comfortable with the arrangements, for the best outcome.
The information on this page, as well as throughout this site, is copyrighted and is for the exclusive use of clients of Cozee Pet Sitters. It is protected by copyright laws and by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.