We’ve all experienced the anxiety that comes when you’re planning a trip out of town and you don’t know who you can trust to watch your pets. I think most of us would agree that we treat our pets as part of the family and wouldn’t think about leaving them with someone we didn’t fully trust. So what do you do when you need a pet sitter and you don’t have any friends or family available?

A big trend in recent years has been to hire a pet sitter to watch your pets, either in your home or in the pet sitter’s home. One of the main reasons it’s become so popular is your dog doesn’t have to go away with other dogs to an unfamiliar location. Plus, there’s peace of mind that your pet is getting one on one attention.

One of first big challenges in finding a pet sitter is knowing where to find them. Well, you don’t have to worry about that part if you live in the Phoenix area! You can simply check out Bailey’s Doggy Directory for a comprehensive list of pet sitter’s near your home.

How to find the right fit for your pet

Once you have a list of sitters, how do you choose the right fit for your pet?

Consider the following:

• Are they bonded and insured?
• Do they run background checks on their pet sitters?
• Will they give you names and phone numbers of other clients as a reference?
• They should offer a meet and greet between the pet sitter and your dog. Be sure to pay close attention to how they interact with your dog, particularly to see if they’re playful and attentive.
• Do they provide a written contract of services?
• If the sitter is staying in your home, how do they verify you’ve returned so your pet isn’t left stranded if your flight is delayed, etc.?

Here are a few more tips from the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

Once you’ve chosen your pet sitter, you’ll need to do your part to insure a successful visit.

Here’s how you can help your pet sitter:

• Inform the pet sitter of your dog’s normal daily routine including when they usually get up, when they eat, how many treats they can give, how often the dog likes to go out and where they should take the dog for a walk
• Leave a detailed list of what food and treats to give with preferred time of day
• Make sure you leave contact info for your vet and the closest emergency vet
• If your pet needs medicine, be sure to leave detailed instructions on how much to give and when
• Keep a collar on your pet with updated ID tags
• You should also leave a number where they can contact you if they have any questions
• If they’re staying at your house you should also show them your home’s safety features including the circuit breaker

Once you’ve chosen a pet sitter, you can then focus on enjoying your trip while feeling good about leaving your best friend with someone you’ve vetted and trust.

Enjoy your trip!

Have you had any experience with pet sitters? If so, please leave any tips or comments below.