Professional Pet Sitter FAQ’S
Q: Where do you do your pet sitting?
A: In-home pet sitting is done in your home to allow your pets to stay in their own environment and on their own schedule. We come to your pets, which does mean that we will need access to your house while you’re away.
Q: How many times a day will you visit?
A: It depends on what your pet’s needs are. If you have a very active dog, or more than one, several visits a day can be arranged. A lot of pet sitting is time based so you can have hour long visits for play or walks, just half hour visits, or some combination of both.
Q: How important is it to hire a licensed pet sitter?
A: Pet sitting is not a regulated industry in Florida. There’s no standard criteria established by the state for running a pet sitting business. Pet sitters don’t “earn” their licenses by passing tests or evaluations; they buy them. A license proves the sitter has paid local government fees for running their business.
Q: What are good questions to ask during a pet sitter interview?
A: You might want to ask them why they got started in pet sitting. Ask for references. Ask them about the most challenging situation they’ve encountered and what they learned from it. Also ask to see a copy of their current insurance and bond. Insurance provides reimbursement for damages to property and injuries to your pet. A bond offers the pet owner protection against theft by the pet sitter or an employee of the pet sitter. If the pet sitter does have employees, you might want to ask if the pet sitter or one of his or her employees will be doing the visits.
Provided by Darla Klein of Pets Best Friend of Tampa Bay, www.dogwalkingtampabay.com. 727-725-1996.
