How to Choose an In-Home Dog Sitter In New Orleans

Holidays are all about spreading joy and cheer, but if you are traveling you know that holidays can be quite stressful. With weather delays, COVID-19 cautions, increased traffic, and general travel hiccups, choosing a sitter for your pet should not add to your stress. But with an overwhelming amount of options, what should you look for when choosing a pet sitter? Today we will walk you through some important questions to ask when finding a dog, cat, or house-sitter, what you should be sure to communicate to them, and a few tips to give you peace of mind while you are away. 

With certain apps such as Rover or Wag becoming increasingly popular, it can be hard to know you are finding an honest and reliable sitter. Searching for local pet sitters online can become overwhelming due to having so many choices. We suggest meeting with a few different sitters before making a final decision. This meeting is usually referred to as a “meet and greet” and should take place wherever your pets will be staying. If the sitter will be keeping your pets in their home, you should have the meet and greet there to view their home and to make sure your pets interact well with any pets they may have in their home. If they will be staying or visiting your home while caring for your pet, it is best to have the meet and greet in your home so that you can show them where food and treats are kept and so they can observe how your pets act in their own environment. 

Meeting multiple sitters will give you the opportunity to see how each compares in relation to caring for your pet. You will be able to find the pet sitter that best connects with your dog, cat, or other household pets. Allow at least 15-30 minutes for your meet and greet, so you can go through your pet’s routines and get to know your pet sitter. You may ask questions about their particular style of pet sitting, what they prioritize during a visit, why they choose to pet sit, and what kind of instructions or supplies they would like to have left for them while you are away. It is important that you feel comfortable with your sitter, and that they feel comfortable with you and your pets. This is also a great time to discuss their experience, qualifications, and your expectations.

New pet sitters can still be a great option, but be sure they have experience taking care of their own pets or experience pet sitting for friends and family, and ask them how they would handle specific situations that might arise. Experienced pet sitters should be able to give you access to reviews or even have clients that are willing to be references for you to follow up with if desired. Experience does not always guarantee that they will be the best fit, but it can help give you peace of mind that they know how to handle most situations and that they are dedicated to the work that they do. 

You will want to discuss your expectations with any pet sitters that you are meeting. This includes times that you wish for them to have their meals, potty breaks, frequency and types of exercise, and any other specifics. Many dog and cat sitters will ask for written or typed instructions to be left during their stay. This gives your sitter something to refer to while you are away, so they can ensure they are meeting your expectations. Below is a list of things to include for your sitter: 

• Emergency numbers (friends or family who live close)
• Veterinary information
• Feeding times and amounts
• Instructions for medications
• House rules such as if your pet is allowed on furniture, when they should be crated, how many treats they can have, etc
• Exercising information – how often you walk or exercise your pet and recommendations on times to do this each day
• Information on any quirks your pet may have – if they are scared of storms, if they’ve shown aggression to other animals, if they try to run out the door, etc. 
• How often you would like photos and text/call updates
• Information for your home – especially if they will be staying in your home
  • Wifi password
  • Extra towels, bedding, and pet supplies
  • Thermostat preferences
  • Garage or alarm codes if needed

Choosing the right dog, cat, or house sitter can give you peace of mind during this holiday season and should be the first step in building a partnership with someone who will love and care for your pets just as you would. Your pet sitter should be happy to answer any of your questions and should have a few questions of their own when getting to know you and your pets. At Courtney’s Pet Care Professionals, we hope to be the best fit for caring for your pets. If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a meet and greet, please contact us today! 

Holidays are all about spreading joy and cheer, but if you are traveling you know that holidays can be quite stressful. With weather delays, COVID-19 cautions, increased traffic, and general travel hiccups, choosing a sitter for your pet should not add to your stress. But with an overwhelming amount of options, what should you look…