Long Beach Pet Services
When you choose a pet sitter, you are looking for someone to provide more care to your loved one than just basic feeding and watering.
You want someone who will give loving attention to the pet when you are unable to be there. A good sitter will help the pet get plenty of exercise and will be attuned to the pet’s needs.
They should also be adequately trained for emergencies and procedures for getting the pet medical attention. For an extra fee, some pet sitters may even provide additional services such as collecting your mail, watering your plants, and other chores. When choosing a pet sitter, you will want to find someone with the proper training to care for your pets though, not just a random neighbor who may not be equipped to handle tricky situations.
There are many reasons to choose a pet sitter over a kennel or boarder when you must leave your pet at home. The primary reason is the level of personal attention your pet gets will be much higher. 
At even the best kennel, the pet will spend hours locked in an unfamiliar pen. With a pet sitter the pet will be able to stay at home in comfortable surroundings and receive direct care from a devoted provider.
A good sitter will keep a regular schedule of feeding, watering, walking, administering medicine, and playing with your pet everyday that you are away.
Pets will adapt to your absence much more easily when they are able to stay in their own environment. They will also be ensure of being given the same amount and quality of food as normal. The stress of traveling to a kennel can be rough on pets as well, so a sitter prevents the travel hassle.
And of course the personal attention the sitter will give is second only to what you provide when you are home.
You feel so much more at ease knowing that your pet is being watched over by a qualified professional right in your own home. You will also avoid the burden and stress of frequently asking friends and neighbors to watch the pet. The extra services like bringing in the paper can be a big bonus with using a sitter as well. Keeping the pet in your home will save you time also.
There are many ways to go about looking for the right sitter for your pets. Asking friends and vets for references is one of the first ones. Also keep tabs on local bulletin boards and sites like this one for quality referrals. You will want to thoroughly research the sitter’s qualifications and what they offer before choosing them. A phone interview with the prospective sitter is also recommended.
Ask for written proof that the sitter has the proper insurance for liability and accidents. Find out how long they have been doing this type of work. Good sitters will have a long history of experience and will have gone through some training.
Experienced sitters work everyday of the year and are fully aware of the time and effort pet sitting requires. Someone who is new to the work may not be fully dedicated to the job and may neglect critical care for your pet.
Be sure the sitter has a fully articulated routine in case of accidents or emergencies. They should also be well-verse din animal first aid and CPR. Many good sitters also keep a record of the pet’s behavior while they are in their care. This will help inform you of any issues you should be aware of when you return. Inquire what contacts the sitter has with local vets and medical professionals.
Find out if the sitter has back up help if they become sick or cannot make it to care for your pet on a given day. Ask them if the same person will generally visit the pet or if it will be different staff on different days. Having the same person come will lessen the stress of the pet, since animals don’t adapt to change very quickly.
Ask for a written contract of the services to be provided and the fees to be rendered. Be sure to clarify how much time and what times of the day the sitter will spend with your pet. Finally, ask for references of former satisfied customers of the sitter.
If all of these details seem to be secure, you will next want the sitter to make a preliminary visit to your home. This will be a chance to go over the procedures and contracts with them and it will be a chance for them to meet your pet. You should observe the sitter’s behavior around your pet and observe how your pet responds to the sitter. Be sure that there is a mutual comfort level between them.
There are a few things you should do to make the process go smoother as well. Even the best sitter will need the assistance of the customer to ensure the best experience. You should book the sitting reservations well in advance. This is very important if you plan to be gone during the busier holiday times.
You should also be confident that your pet will behave calmly with strangers and has the proper social skills. Any behavior issues should be reported to the sitter ahead of time so they will know to be cautious of the. The pet should have proper id tags and should be current in all vaccinations and treatments.
You will also want to list out any detailed instructions you may have for procedures, responsibilities, emergency contacts, and medical information. Leave a copy of this at the vet’s office as well, so they will know your pet is under another person’s care.
Leave an adequate supply of food and treats for the pet and be sure the sitter knows where to find them. Leave a backup key at a neighbor’s house and let them know of the sitter’s presence. And when you return, if you feel the sitter did an excellent job, be sure to thank them by recommending them to friends, family, and pet care professionals.