LOOKING FOR A PET SITTER?

 Emerald Coast Critter Sitter  

The Pet Nanny!

Your Professional "In-Home" Pet Care Alternative

Serving Navarre, Florida

Contact: Alice Coulter @ 850-712-8800

Benefits of Using a Professional Pet Sitter

* Reduced Stress

Your pet stays in familiar surroundings where all the sights, smells and sounds say "HOME"!

* No "Travel Trauma"

Traveling to a friend or relative's home, boarding facility or kennel may be upsetting for your pet.

* Diet, Exercise & Health Concerns

No interuptions to your pet's routines in diet & exercise and no exposure to illnesses from other animals.

* TLC

One of the most important and desired factors.....your pet receives personal, complete and uninterupted attention and love while you are away!

* Security

Your home is made more secure by the crime deterrant services provided by your pet sitter such as adjusting lighting and blinds/curtains, bringing mail and newspaper in to keep your home looking occupied.

* Special Services

Your pet sitter may provide additional services while caring for your pet, such as indoor/outdoor plant watering, taxi service to grooming appointments or vet visits, or daily dog walks while you work long hours.

* Peace Of Mind

While you are away, you can feel confident your pet is in loving, caring and capable hands!

Choosing A Pet Sitter

* Your pet sitter should be licensed-insured-bonded, and show you current documents to verify this. Ask your pet sitter what organizations they belong to and any additional training they may have received caring for animals.

* Your pet sitter should have available upon request, references from other clients, preferably from people who have the same type of pets as you. 

* Your pet sitter should have a clear and concise contract for you to approve and sign documenting all services and charges. This protects both YOU and your PET SITTER.

* Do your pets approve of the pet sitter? Watch their body language during your initial interview!

* Does your pet sitter ask you pertinent questions during your interview such as, dietary needs, health history, favorite toys and playtime fun, etc.?

* What is the sitter's "backup plan" in case of an emergency? Does your pet sitter have communication with other pet sitters in your area? Is there a qualified person to "take over" in the event of an emergency? Also, remember...during hurricane season you must have a backup plan for evacuation if needed! Your pet sitter will have numerous animals to care for and also may need to evacuate themselves.

* Do YOU feel comfortable during your interview with your pet sitter? This person, essentially a "stranger" to you, will have access to your home. You must be 100% confident in your choice of pet sitter.

* Have a list ready of questions you want to ask your pet sitter so that you do not forget anything you may want or need to know. You pet sitter should be willing to answer any questions you may have, present a professional image and be clear and concise in their communications to you, be it through your 1st phone or email contact.

* Does your pet sitter have experience caring for the type of pet(s) you have? Are they experienced in giving medications if needed, especially injections? If not, you may want to ask them for a referral to another pet sitter with more experience if you are not comfortable with limited expertise in these areas. 

A good pet sitter wants your pet(s) to be in capable hands!

Getting Prepared Before You Leave

* Take your pet sitter's phone number with you! Your pet sitter should request a phone call from you when you depart and also when you return. This eliminates any mis-communication on starting and ending dates. If your travel plans change due to delayed flights, poor weather conditions, etc., make sure that you notify your pet sitter ASAP! Emergencies DO happen but if you just feel like "extending" your vacation, keep in mind that your pet sitter may not be available after your scheduled date of return due to a full schedule or their own vacation plans. (your pet sitter may have their own "down time" scheduled with family or friends)

* Leave a list of all medications and dosages, new dietary needs, if changed since interview, and any additional contact information as far as your destination and travel schedule.

* Advise your veterinarian that you have a pet sitter and authorize the vet to extend medical care during your absence if it becomes necessary.

* Do you have the proper supplies on hand for your pet sitter such as pet food, cat litter, cleaning products on hand, with extra as backup in case you are delayed in your return home?

* Your pet sitter will always check to see if your key given to them WORKS before you leave, and if you prefer to give your pet sitter a garage door opener for entry to your home through the garage, remember that if there is a power outage, the garage door will not work. Always have a backup key available!

* Leave a list of phone numbers of anyone else that has access to your home or yard such as a cleaning person, pest control, pool maintenance/gardener, realtor, etc. If other people will also be checking on your pets such as a friend or family member, help avoid confusion by making it clear what the pet sitter is responsible for and what other people will be entrusted to do.

* Most importantly, relax and be assured your pets are in capable hands. Ask your pet sitter when would be the best time to call to check on your pets, and would your pet sitter prefer to be contacted by phone or email during your vacation? Many calls may go to voice mail during dog walks as 100% of the pet sitter's attention will be directed towards them. Messages will be reviewed promptly.

* Once you have chosen your pet sitter, keep the lines of communication open and never be too shy at expressing ANY concerns of yours regarding the care of your pets. Your pet sitter wants your "in-home" pet care experience to always be a positive one!