Pets and Their People Blog

by the Pet Professional Guild Pet Care Division Team

This resource is a product of PPG’s Pet Care Division: Kat Frizzell, CPPS, FFCP, PFACCI, PLBS; Kristi Jones, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CET; and Roxanne Dockter, MSc., CPPS, FFCP, CFVA, PFACCI

Pet professionals offering pet sitting services are highly competitive and there will be many service providers in your neighborhood. While they will all advertise and offer a specific service or services, they are not all equal in experience, quality, dependability, education, certifications, honesty and integrity. We recommend, at a minimum, you seek to find the answers to the questions below before you consider hiring a pet sitter to care for your loved one and your home!

1. What is your experience with pet sitting, and what professional certifications do you have? Your professional should have significant knowledge and expertise. 

2. What professional organizations are you affiliated with? Membership in credible organizations helps you to determine if your pet care professional is accountable to any other third parties.

3. What types of animals have you cared for? This question helps gauge their overall experience and if they’re comfortable with your specific breed or pet.

4. What behavior knowledge and experience do you have helping animals who are stressed, fearful, or anxious? This discussion helps if you have an anxious or fearful pet who needs extra support and guidance.

5. Are you bonded and insured? Can you provide proof? This documentation is crucial for your protection in case of accidents, theft, or damage.

6. What happens if you are sick? Request an explanation of any backup plans they have to care for your pets if they are unable.

7. Do you have references I can contact or reviews I can read? Speaking to past clients can give you valuable insights into the professional’s reliability and care.

8. What is your protocol for emergencies? What if my pet becomes ill or injured while I’m away? You want to ensure that, as a professional, they have contingencies and a clear plan for any medical situations and can act quickly.

9. How do you handle cancellations or unexpected delays on my end (e.g., my flight is delayed)? Understanding their flexibility and policies for unforeseen circumstances is important should you need to have a plan B on hand.

10. What are the specific inclusions to each of your services that are covered in your pricing? For example, does a single pet-sitting visit include medication administration or a walk? Being clear on what you’re paying for can help avoid misunderstandings and nasty surprises.

11. How often and for how long will you be visiting my pet at each visit we schedule? It’s not only important to agree on how many visits the professional will make each day, but also how long each visit is and what is included.

12. How will you communicate with me while I’m away (e.g., daily texts, photos, updates)? Be very clear and up-front as to how you wish to be contacted and how they will communicate with you to ensure you have peace of mind.

13. What is your policy on house keys and security? You need to be sure that they have a secure system for managing your keys and maintaining your home’s security while you are away.

14. Do you offer a complimentary meet and greet with my pet in our home to see and understand my home layout and routines before I make a decision? Home visits while you are present enable you to observe the professional at work interacting with your pet. You will also get a feel for their time keeping, professionalism, and decorum in your home.

15. Do you adhere to a strict code of ethical conduct? Your pet care provider should understand that “No shock, No prong, No choke and No pain, No fear, No force are ever employed in the training, behavior modification, care, or management of any pet.”

Download the checklist here:

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About the PPG Pet Care Division

Supporting pets and their guardians is a shared function of all pet professionals, including pet groomers, pet sitters, dog walkers and canine enrichment technicians.

If you are interested in joining our divisional team and giving a voice to pet care providers, please join PPG today, then log in to your PPG member account and fill out the volunteer form. With your help, we can develop more resources for pet care providers and their clients, and build great referral programs across the many vital roles of pet professionals.