Finding the right pet professional for you and your pet

Today, more and more people treat their animals as valued members of our family. But with people’s busy lifestyles, many families choose to hire professional dog walkers, groomers, and pet sitters, to take care of our animals when they cannot. But how do you know who or what is the right option for your pets? Here are a few tips to find the perfect fit for you and your furry friends.

• Determine Your Needs – If you’re going on vacation and Fido is the nervous type, he many not do well in a kennel environment. Think about your pets and what their needs are. There are many types of pet care available such as pet sitters, boarding facilities, dog walkers, etc. Think about which one would be best for your animal and start there.

• Find Potential Candidates – There are many ways to look for pet care. Online resources such as www.petsitusa.com provide pet sitter information based on zip code. Also, friends, family, and local pet retailers are usually very good sources of pet care referrals.

• Make Sure They Have Proper Credentials – Anyone you hire should be fully insured and bonded. Ask them to provide you with a copy of their current insurance binder. It is also a good idea if they have Pet First & CPR Certification in case of an emergency. Of course, always interview any potential candidate to make sure you and your pet feel comfortable with them. It is always recommended to conduct a thorough reference and even a background check on anyone you are allowing to take care of you dog or cat especially if you are allowing them into your home. If you follow all of these steps you will have a much easier time finding the right pet care provider for you!