As much as we always want to be with our beloved feline, sometimes, we may have to travel on a vacation or leave our homes for an extended period of time. Taking our cats with us may not always be feasible and some have considered getting a cat sitting service for their pets. Leaving your pet at a boarding kennel might not always be a preferred option and your family members might be unable to care for them due to their busy schedules.
Hiring the services of a cat sitter means that he or she will come to your house on an agreed number of times each day. In some cases, cat sitters stay in your house pending when you return from your trip. The main advantage of getting the services of a cat sitter is that your cat gets to stay in a familiar environment, which is easier than going to a new environment altogether. Better still, your cat won’t be exposed to kennel-related diseases.
Getting the right cat sitter is important to the safety of your cat and your home. Hence, this article will highlight key factors to consider before hiring the services of a cat sitter.
Key Things Every Owner Should Consider
Reliable Sources
The first step in getting the right pet sitter is to ask for referrals from your neighbors, family, friends, or your veterinarian. You can also search online for a cat sitting service near you. Additionally, you can contact Pets Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Ensure that your referral sources are from people you can trust and are reliable.
Qualification and Special Training
When you interview a potential pet sitter, ask about their past experiences and find out the type of pets they’ve taken care of. If a pet sitter hasn’t had prior experience with cats, then he or she may not be suitable (unless of course, you feel they would). You can also ask if they have gotten any special training. It is important also that you let the potential cat sitter know about any special needs your cat has and if he or she will be comfortable caring for them when you are away.
Insurance and Bonding
The cat sitter should be able to write a proof of commercial liability insurance (in the event of an accident when you’re away). The cat sitter should also be bonded to prevent the theft of your pet.
Communication
Another important thing to consider when getting a cat sitting service is how you will communicate with the cat sitter when you are away. When there’s a reliable method of communication, your mind will be at ease wherever you may be. Some cat sitters may send voice notes on your cat’s mood, eating habits, and activities each day. Others send daily text messages and pictures to keep you updated.
Services and Fees
You should reach an agreement with your cat sitter as regards the services to be provided and the fees to be paid. Here are some questions you should ask yourself: Will the cat sitter offer grooming or walking services? How many times will the cat sitter visit? Will the cat sitter need to stay overnight? Will the cat sitter bring your cat to the veterinarian when there’s an emergency? If there is any delay in my arrival, can the cat sitter care for my cat until I’m back?
You should reach an agreement with your cat sitter as regards the services to be provided and the fees to be paid. Here are some questions you should ask yourself: Will the cat sitter offer grooming or walking services? How many times will the cat sitter visit? Will the cat sitter need to stay overnight? Will the cat sitter bring your cat to the veterinarian when there’s an emergency? If there is any delay in my arrival, can the cat sitter care for my cat until I’m back?
These questions will help you reach an agreement with the cat sitter as to the services he or she is expected to provide. Read on the average rates pets sitters charge.
Interactions and References
Ask your cat sitter to provide the contact of past clients. Contact each of the clients so you can ask important questions regarding the cat sitter. It is also important that you introduce your cat to the sitter and watch how they interact before you travel. Seeing how they interact with each other can make you feel at ease and less bothered about leaving your cat when you travel.
Bad Cat Sitting Service
There are things to look for when you return from your trip to check if your cat was properly looked after. The following signs of a bad cat sitter will help you ensure that your cat is safe the next time your travel:
- When the cat’s feeding area is messy.
- When the cat sitter doesn’t respect your property.
- When your cat hides from the pet sitter.
- When you notice changes in your cat’s behavior.
In some cases, you may even discover that your cat is missing. If that happens, read on the top 5 tips on how to find your lost indoor cat. Learn more about the signs of a bad sitter.
Conclusion
It is normal to be worried about the safety of your cat when you’re away. However, when you follow the above steps, you can keep your worry to a minimum. Ensure that your cat is covered with a pet insurance plan to help cover the costs of any injury or illness that may occur when you’re away.
