At Sidelick, we take pride in raising the bar in pet care. Therefore, we have compiled a list of guidelines to help you stand out as a pet-sitter. Scroll down to check out the golden rules of becoming a proactive pet-sitter!
Setting a meetup with pet parents
First things first: take the lead in organizing meet and greets with pet parents and their babies. It’s always a good sign to show how excited you are to meet the fur ball you’ll be hosting! These meetups are of great importance because they give you the chance to understand the pet parent’s preferences, as well as the pet’s physical and psychological needs.
This is the added value of a Sidelick pet sitter.
Asking questions – the right ones!
Meetups are the best times to exchange questions.
Before the start of any mission, the most important topic to tackle is emergencies. Therefore, you will need to ask how to develop a plan of action in case of any emergency. So make sure to save the veterinary contact information and know where to find the first aid kit.
Your Sidelick Pet Sitter checklist is your guide to asking all related questions. It needs to be filled by you, not the pet parent. This will show how dedicated you are in providing the pet with his/her regular routine.
It is also crucial to understand your pet parents’ concerns and expectations, so that you could wow them later.
Being transparent about availability and fees
At the beginning of every month, set your availability on your Sidelick pet sitting profile.
And when you meet pet parents, be honest about your schedule and availability to make sure they are okay with it.
Regarding the fees, explain to the customer how much you price for the service requested, and how much goes for insurance. Do so before they book you online on sidelick.com.
So leave no hidden fees till the end, and let everything be crystal clear from the beginning.
Tidying and pet proofing your house
Before any mission, we recommend you tidy and clean your home to welcome pet parents. Some customers might be scared off if the environment their pets will be staying in is not appealing.
Remember to make sure your home is pet-friendly and safe. These are a few general tips to keep in mind:
1. Make sure poisonous plants are out of reach
2. Lock medications/lotions/laundry/gardening chemicals up
3. Keep toilet lids closed to prevent drowning
4. Put away any dangling wires/cables to prevent chewing
5. Keep all sharp objects and tools out of reach
6. Make sure all windows and doors are closed so no pet can get out
7. In case you have a garden, make sure it is 100% fenced and safe from any fertilizers
8. Avoid smoking around pets
Engaging with pets and tickling their brains
This is one of the most important golden rules to become a proactive pet-sitter.
While pet sitting mainly happens at home, don’t just sit there! Instead, we would suggest you organize your pet sitting time by designating playing and resting hours.
It is a must to spend a pet’s energy while he/she is in your care. This will positively reflect on your performance.
For cats, use toys like mouses, lasers, wands, cat towers, and even a cat partner! (if cat-friendly)
As for dogs, walk & socialize them right, play hide and seek, fetch, and use treat-dispensing toys. You can even take the doggies out if they and their parents are comfortable with it.
Snapping moments and updating pet parents
If you’re not a natural photographer, google your way! Try your best to take great footage of the fur balls as they are relaxed, having fun, & getting love! Show the parents that their loved ones are living the dream. **Avoid blurry or pixelated shots.
Besides, don’t wait for pet parents to “check in” with you. Instead, proactively communicate with them! Make it a priority to reassure anxious pet parents that everything is in order and that their pets are doing well – before they even ask.
However, please be careful; don’t ignore any weird behavior the pet shows when in your care. Be sure to always ask his/her parents if that behavior is normal or not, so you’ll know how to deal with it.
Leaving a great impression
At the end of every mission, it’s always a good idea to brush the pets so they look good for their parents’ return home. You can even go the extra mile and leave a note, sharing emotional moments or funny stories you had with them!
Also, don’t hesitate to express your thoughts about the mission and show your interest in any future Sidelick pet-sitting opportunities.
Follow these golden rules as closely as possible to become a proactive pet-sitter. That way, pet parents will know that they made the best decision in hiring you!
At the end, nothing will beat the feeling pet parents will have when they see their pet’s smiling face!
It’s great that you talked about how a good pet sitter needs to be excited when meeting you for the first time. Recently, my wife and I decided to go on a short vacation, but we can’t take our dogs with us. We have two large dogs and a small one, and we need to find a sitter for them, so we’ll look into it. Thanks for the information on pet sitters and their best qualities.
I liked your idea to have a meetup with the sitter. My husband and I have been really worried to leave our dog when we go out for our anniversary weekend. I’ll be sure to ask about this so we can find someone all of us will be comfortable with.
It’s great that this article talked about having proper communication could help understand the references of the pet owners. My sister told us the other day that she was thinking about the best option for her cat during her overnight business travel. She asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to ensure her pet’s safety and mental health. I’m glad for this helpful article. I’ll tell her she can consult a well-known pet-sitting service as they can provide good care for her pet.
Excellent blog for the pet lovers very much useful for me
Best blog for the pet lovers
Excellent blog for the pet lovers very much useful for me
Your article helps every pet sitter about their job and improves connection with the pet owners. If you add some pet sitter website links or service providers details that will add more value.
The Golden Rules of being a proactive pet-sitter, as outlined by Sidelick, truly set a high standard for pet care. Taking the initiative to arrange meet and greets with pet parents demonstrates genuine enthusiasm and responsibility. These meetings offer invaluable insights into the pet’s needs and the owner’s preferences. Asking the right questions during these discussions is crucial, especially concerning emergency plans, veterinary contacts, and first aid kits. The dedicated Sidelick Pet Sitter checklist further showcases the commitment to maintaining the pet’s regular routine. Understanding the pet parents’ concerns and expectations ensures that the pet sitter can deliver exceptional service. For added safety, ensuring pets wear proper collars with identification tags is essential in case they wander off or get lost. Overall, being a proactive pet sitter requires attention to detail, genuine care, and a commitment to providing the best possible experience for the pets and their owners.