Need A Pet Sitter? Need A Dog Walker? Here’s How To Find The Right One!

(Image courtesy of Kristine Paulus)

We’ve said this before, but it’s still true: we love our pets. How can we not? Pets are often the greatest companions we could ever ask for. Unfortunately, they can’t go everywhere with us - and that can make things tricky if we have to go out of town.

Whether you need a pet sitter or a dog walker, the idea of finding someone to care for your best friend can be a little intimidating. So why not make the process of selecting your pet’s temporary caregiver as easy as possible? Use these tips from renters.apartments.com to ensure that the person you pick to watch your pet is the right fit:

Get recommendations: Consult your pet-owning friends and family members who live nearby about who they use. Chances are they have a pet sitter or dog walker they love, or can at least steer you away from any they had a bad experience with. If you get a referral, be sure to return the favor: Many services offer current clients discounts for bringing them new business.

Go online: In a big city, the number of choices for pet services can be daunting. How do you know where to start? Though you may think of it more for restaurants, one great resource is Yelp. The user review site may not have every company that comes up on Google, but those with loyal and happy – or infuriated – customers will be there. Yelp’s filters ensure that the reviews you see can be trusted, and some companies may offer discounts if you tell them you found them on the site.

Compare prices: Pet care costs can add up quickly, especially if you work out of the home and need someone to walk your dog five days a week. Since many dog-walking and pet-sitting companies are small businesses run out of people’s homes, prices can vary widely. Once you’ve found a couple that meet your criteria in terms of quality, location and personality, call them for prices (if they’re not listed on their websites). If your favorite one is a few dollars more than the runner-up, it’s worth alerting them of their competitors’ prices as they may be willing to compromise.
Don’t worry! Once you’ve found, met and hired your pet service of choice, try to put your mind at ease. It can be hard leaving your pet with a stranger the first time, but if you’ve done your research, you can trust that they are in good hands. These people deal with animals all the time — from the sweet to the mischievous — and they will know how to handle yours. Your pet will have a great time while you’re away, and will be even happier to see you when you get home!