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Professional Pet Sitters Week

Did you know that International Pet Sitters Week is the first week of March? This event was founded by PSI, the world’s largest professional pet sitters organization. While your furry buddy would love to go everywhere with you, that just isn’t always possible. And, while many people have been working from home this year, there are still times that people will need to leave their dogs in the care of others. A local vet discusses pet sitting below.

Benefits of A Sitter

Why should you use a sitter or dog walker? These services can be a perfect solution for times when you are working long hours or are just very busy. Fido is usually pretty good about holding it, but he can only go so long! Your canine pal will definitely benefit from a midday walk.  The fresh air, exercise, stimulation, and company a dog walker provides will definitely benefit him, and just help break up his alone time.

Sitter Or Boarding?

When should you use a pet sitter, as opposed to boarding Fido? There’s no hard and fast rule. Every circumstance is different. That said, we would generally advise boarding if you’re going to be gone for more than a day. To just break up your pup’s alone time, a pet sitter, dog walker, or even doggy daycare can be a great option. Of course, currently many kennels have reduced their hours or capacity, or even paused services, during the pandemic. This is also something to consider. Ask your vet for recommendations.

Friends And Family

Many people ask friends or family members to watch their dogs. There are some obvious benefits here: it’s often cheaper, and Fido gets to stay with someone familiar. People are comfortable leaving their pups in friendly, familiar hands. However, if something were to happen, that could strain—or even ruin—your relationship. You also won’t have the legal protection that a licensed sitter or kennel would offer.

Choosing Fido’s Sitter

If you are going to use a pet sitter, the first and biggest concern is screening applicants. Professional organizations do vet their applicants, but even this isn’t always foolproof. Ask for references, and look at reviews online. You may also want to ask your friends, family members, co-workers, and veterinarian for recommendations. One thing that is very important is making sure that your pup’s sitter or kennel is properly licensed, bonded, and insured. Of course, Fido should also be able to weigh in!

Trial Run

Whether you choose boarding or pet sitting, we recommend starting out with a short trial run. In case of boarding, this helps Fido get used to his home away from home. With pet sitters, it allows you a chance to see how things go.

Is your pet due for vaccinations or an exam? Contact us, your local veterinary clinic, today!

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