Petsitting is a great solution for any pet owner, whether you work full time, spend most of your time at home, have a family or live alone, a petsitter can provide structure to the life of your pet. Not only can a pet sitter help out in unexpected situations but they can remove any pressure on your schedule and ensure a stress free pet ownership journey! The cost of petsitting can vary, and whilst some people might think it is out of their price range, petsitting can in fact be a cost effective solution to long term pet care!
How to find a petsitter?
Searching for a petsitter can take some time, but once you’ve found a great, reliable candidate you will be able to leave your pet in trusted hands and it will make pet ownership far more manageable. There are a few different ways to find a suitable petsitter each with their own advantages depending on your requirements:
- Word of mouth: If you have friends or family members who use a petsitter or a petsitting service why not ask them for recommendations as you will be able to gain an honest, reliable perspective on the performance and suitability of the petsitter. This is also an inexpensive, easy way to go about the hiring process as you avoid any unwanted agency fees and do not have to go through a formal sign up process. The downside however might be that there is little choice of candidates, depending on how many people you know who already use petsitting services, or perhaps the petsitter may be unavailable and will not have any additional space to take on new clients.
- Petsitting agencies: There are dedicated petsitting agencies who will provide a reliable, high quality service whenever you might need it. The advantage of an agency is that they have a great choice of candidates and due to having multiple employees there will likely always be a space to take care of your pet no matter when you need them. The downside however is that this flexibility and reliability comes at a price and the petsitting services are often more expensive, not to mention a potential sign up fee too. If you are eager to find an individual who will make a close connection to your pet so that you can be reassured they are in safe hands, petsitting agencies may provide a rotation of different staff meaning you will receive a less individualised service.
- Online platforms: The are online platforms which provide a compromise between the other options as you will find a large selection of dedicated candidates to choose from however there are more affordable options available. At Yoopies the petsitting candidates are able to set their own rates and keep 100% of their wages meaning that they can offer more affordable services than agencies. If you are looking for an individualised service however you can find a reliable candidate through the online platform to offer regular petsitting solutions.
Of course different options will suit certain pet owners better than others, for example those without much time will find the ease and reliability of a pet sitting agency a real bonus, but those with a more modest budget will appreciate getting a more affordable petsitter through an online platform.
Questions to ask when hiring your petsitter
When hiring a petsitter, just like any other home care service provider such as a nanny or a cleaner, you need to ensure you are asking the right questions to find the best candidate. We’ve compiled some top tips on what to ask when conducting your interviews to ensure your find a suitable candidate:
- Explain your requirements: Ensure your advert is clear and detailed, with all the duties and responsibilities included. It is important that the candidate knows what is required of them, so that they can decide whether they are capable of managing to position. When interviewing a candidate, it is a good idea to outline your expectations at this stage to ensure they have understood what is expected of them in this position.
- Ask how much they charge before the interview: Make sure that your budget is in line with the petsitter’s prices before deciding to proceed with the interview process. This will not only save you and the petsitter time but will avoid any awkward miscommunications later on in the hiring process. Find out about the average costs of petsitting here!
- Look for personality matches as well as experience: We all know that pets can be unpredictable at times, and sometimes for one reason or another your pet may take a particular liking (or disliking!) to another person. It is always best to do a trial run with a prospective petsitter whilst you are available to watch the candidate interact with your pet and check that both the pet sitter and the pet are comfortable and confident around each other.
- Ask for references: Just like with any position, if the petsitter claims to have experience in the role before, ask for the contact details of their former employer to check that their previous work has been satisfactory. If they are unable to provide references as they have not had any formal experience, ask for character references from another responsible individual, such as a school or university tutor or former employer from a non-pet sitting position.