When trying to find proper in-home care for your pets when you travel, consider the many differences that using a PROFESSIONAL PET SITTING SERVICE, such as Purrs And Wags Sitters can make in the health and happiness of your pets...

• Will the child (or adult) recognize the early signs of illness (how many children would notice a cat with signs of urinary problems or a dog that has become lethargic?)
  
  
• If an adult is caring for your pets, will they have the time to notice the problems? And will the child or adult be prepared to deal with the problem if it is noticed? Will a child have access to transportation to take a sick or injured pet to the vet or will they just leave it and hope!
  
  
• Will quality time be spent with your pet?
  
  
• Will they always remember to visit as planned?
  
  
• Will they clean up all messes and will litter boxes be scooped daily?
  
  
• Will they be given the proper amount of food, will fresh water be given, what about medications?
  
  
• Will they stick to your pet’s normal diet or will junk food be given? Maybe just a chocolate candy bar (which can be toxic)!
  
  
• Will the child be concentrating on your home and pet or will he/she be thinking about getting done so they can be with their friends? Or will their friends be at your house?...maybe partying Will they remember to lock the house? Will they tell their teen-age friends that you are out of town?
  
  
• Will they have other priorities, thus reducing the attention to your pet that he/she needs and deserves when you are unable to provide it yourself?

If you decide that a pet sitter is the answer for your pets and you,
here are a few things to ask potential sitters. Prices vary, but so do the
QUALIFICATIONS, PROFESSIONALISM
& THE LEVEL OF SERVICE!
As in all other businesses, there is almost always
A GOOD REASON
WHY SOME SERVICES CHARGE MORE THAN OTHERS!

• Are they trained in pet health and first aid, can they recognize the early signs of illness and will they know what to do in the event of an emergency?
  Both Tom and Linda have attended pet first aid, CPR and behavior classes.
  
• Check on (and ask to see) current liability insurance and bonding.
  Our Insurance is with Pet Sitters Associates and we are bonded through a company with PSI.
  
• Are they members of a professional pet sitting organization, these organizations keep pet sitters current on our industry and set standards?
  Purrs And Wags Sitters has been members of Pet Sitters International since 1994 and joined Pet Sitters Associates, LLC in 2000.
  
• Do they pursue furthering their education in pet related areas?
  We regualry attend conferences where we learn more about pets and our business. In fact Linda has been Co-Chair of Cyber Sitters United since it began and is in charge of planning an educational and interesting schedule each year.
  
• Will they leave you a daily diary or notes, so you can see what your pet and your sitter did, this documents any changes in your pet’s behavior or health etc.
  Daily notes are left and if ever we have additional questions we will call you.
  
• What is their level of experience in dealing with pets?
  As mentioned before, we have been in business since 1994 and we have owned a wide variety of animals prior to opening Purrs And Wags.
  
• Do they network with other pet sitters and pet related businesses to learn more about their profession and pet care in general?
  We work closely with several local pet sitters that adher to high standards. We help one another out when traveling or in case of emergency. We also know many of the area vets personally and often discuss pets/illnesses with them.
  
• Who will be coming into your home when you are away/will you meet the person/will children be coming in without your knowledge?
  Currently we have no employees but we do have back up should the need arise. Local sitters would fill in and also a few of our trusted, capable clients are willing to step in should an emergency arise. No children would be entering your home and unless there was an emergency when you were out of town, you would always be giving the chance to meet our fill-in.
  
• Do they provide references? (If so check them out!)
  Many of ours are listed on our site, but we do invite you to call and talk to them as well.
  
• What about vet care? Do they get your signature allowing them to seek treatment?
  Actually, we insist on having vet authorization cards signed before you leave town-one for your vet and one for the Emergency Clinic as well.
  
• Is there a back up for personal illness or emergency?
  As mentioned we have coverage in place to protect you and your pets if anything were to happen.
  
• Do they use a written contract, that states fees and specifies services?
  We have a contract that we go over at our initial interview and all fees are discussed at that time.
  
• Do they provide evaluation forms and handle complaints promptly?
  We leave evaluation forms at the end of your first trip and we hope you fill them out and return them to us. We need to hear what we can do to improve our service to your pets and you.
  
• Can they explain company policies to you and do they maintain regular office hours?
  A booklet is provided at the interview that expains all about our company. Our policies are also stated in our contract and if there are ever any questions we are more than happy to discuss things with you.
  
• Are they dependable and will they make all visits as scheduled?
  The answer would be yes-we ask that you check with the references. If for some reason, we run late, we will let you know in our daily notes.
  
• Try to determine if they are pet sitting as a career or just a hobby!
  Hopefully, by now you can see that Purrs And Wags Sitters has taken all the steps to be a Professional Company.

If you would like to read some of our policies
so you will understand how our business operates, click here.

ALL ABOUT PET SITTING

WHY USE A PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER

ABOUT PURRS AND WAGS SITTERS

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
OUR CUSTOMERS (comments & pictures)

ABOUT THE OWNERS

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