Frequently Asked Questions
Below can be found answers to many of the most common questions pet parents have when considering using a pet sitting service to care for your pets. If you don't find the answer to your question, please don't hesitate to contact us.
What are the advantages of using a pet sitting service?
The advantages of using a pet sitting service are tremendous, both for you AND for your pet. You will have peace of mind knowing that your furry family members are being expertly cared for while you are away from home, whether on vacation or just for the day. Your pet gets to stay in the comfort of his or her own home and to maintain his or her normal exercise and feeding routine. This vastly reduces the stress and anxiety that pets feel while their humans are away. Daily dog walks for pets whose humans work long hours provide pets with a welcome relief to the long, boring hours alone.
I am interested in daily walks. How does this work?
A visit in the middle of the day will help your dog cope better with your long days at work. It will brighten your dog's day, help relieve boredom, provide a potty opportunity and can reduce stress, anxiety and even destructive behavior. All of these are GREAT reasons to contract with a professional pet sitter to visit your dog while you are at work. It works like this: about mid-way through your dog's time alone, one of our profesional pet sitters will come to your home and spend 20 - 30 minutes providing your pet with individual attention. During this time, he or she will either walk your dog in your local neighborhood or play with him in your yard, whichever you prefer. The pet sitter will also change your pet's water and provide treats and/or food, according to your desires. Please visit the Services page for pricing details.
WHy should i use a professional pet sitter?
A
professional pet sitter will have the appropriate level of animal handling
experience and the maturity needed to provide safe and secure care for your
pets and your home while you are away. He or she will be bonded, have
a business license and carry both Liability and Worker's Compensation
insurance to cover their business and employees. Most professional pet
sitters will also belong to a professional assocation, such as The National
Association of Professional Pet Sitters, which provides training and
resources and which holds its members to a set of ethical standards for the
operation of their business. Please ensure the sitter you choose can
answer all of the above questions in the affirmative. Ask to see proof
of current insurance and proof concerning any other claims made, such as
licensing, bonding or membership in a professional association.
For more information about the advantages of using a professional pet sitter, along with lots of important pet care tips, please visit the website of The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. NOTE: Mandy Oram, the Paws & Kisses owner, is a long-time member and past national committee chairperson (for Presents 4 Pets) of this organization.
is there anything i need to do to prepare my pet?
Yes. It is important that your pet is a suitable candidate for pet sitting. Some of the things to keep in mind are:
- Vaccinations - Dogs must be current on both rabies and distemper vaccines. Proof of vaccination is required. The kennel cough vaccine is not required, as your pet will not be in a communal kenneling facility. However, if you wish us to take your dogs on the trails or to the dog park, then the kennel cough vaccine is recommended.
- Fleas & Ticks - Both dogs and cats must have appropriate flea and tick treatment.
- Aggression Issues - Please let us know if your dog has a bite history. It will not necessarily preclude us providing service, however, it will allow us to take appropriate precautions. If your dog is a guarding breed, and is very possesive of his home, then pet sitting may not be appropriate for him. Please contact us to discuss these issues.
WhO will be my pet sitter?
In addition to Mandy and Bill, Paws & Kisses has several long-time professional pet sitters on staff. This ensures that we will almost always have availiability to care for your pets when you need us. Each client will be assigned a primary sitter, who will perform the majority of the visits with your pets. However, we always have a least 2 back-up sitters trained to care for your pets. Each sitter is introduced personally to your pets and trained in detail about how to properly provide for the care of your pets and your home. If you wish, you can personally meet each sitter who will or may be caring for your pets. Rest assured, no sitter is EVER sent to a home 'cold' without first meeting your pets and being trained in their care by one of the Paws & Kisses company owners. Paws & Kisses does not use untrained staff, nor do we utilize the services of independent contractors. All our sitters are employees of Paws & Kisses and are fully covered by our liability and Worker's Compensation insurance, thus providing our clients with security and peace of mind.
I have other questions
If you didn't find the answers to all your questions in the list above,
please feel free to call us and we will be
happy to answer all of your questions.