Lots of people LOVE animals, and I’m glad of that, but our definitions of what love and care differ drastically.  Needs of many pets are unique and although it might be nice to help the teen down the street earn money and gain responsibility, is that truly the best choice for your fur kid, pet pal, four-legged, feathered, finned or scaled family member?  Encouraging that teen to shadow a Professional Pet Sitter would be an awesome idea, but the number one person in charge of your pet’s care when you are aware should be more than someone who just loves animals and wants to be around them.  This person must know how to tend to their every need which could include handling household or even neighborhood emergencies that threaten your pet’s safety.

Whether it’s an impromptu get away or a long-planned and anticipated summer vacation, it is your responsibility to have a plan in place for your furry, feathered or slithering family members as well.  Research the companies that service your area, interview several potential sitters considering them as you would a nanny for your human child, and observe each person’s interaction with your pets.  Also, be sure that the person who meets you and your pal is the one who will actually be doing the visits.

“When it comes to finding pet care, don’t prioritize convenience over quality,” says Pet Sitters International® President Beth Stultz.  “Just because you can quickly find and book the services of a pet lover with a profile on a pet-sitting or dog-walking app doesn’t mean you are choosing a qualified pet-care provider.”

As The Pet Safety Crusader, you can imagine the grilling I put my poor pet sitter through and the training and certifications I want to see as well as the questions I hope he or she will ask me.  Knowing how to properly secure my dog in his harness and seat belt, what to do if a stray dog charges him on a walk, how to handle a cut paw or upset tummy, what to do if the power goes out or where to turn off the water main.  Many animal lovers are observant, but a professional pet sitter can recognize the signs of dehydration in a pet and has a plan in place with a veterinarian should I be “off the grid” and unreachable.  These are just some of the basics I look for in a pet sitter.

Driving home recently, I slammed on my brakes just in time to miss my neighbor’s Yorkshire Terrier fleeing from her home.  I noticed an unfamiliar car on the driveway and a woman frantically running circle around the house calling, “Emmy, Emmy!”  Fortunately, the scared little pooch let me scoop her up in my arms, and I walked over to the house to meet the “pet sitter.” I then learned she had just arrived, having never met the dogs before (Emmy’s sister luckily was safely inside), and upon opening the front door little Emmy dashed out!

Not only should this lady have met and established a rapport with both dogs, but she should have discussed with the pet parents an ‘air-lock’ system to enter and depart the home.  I suggested next time she go in and out of the garage, closing the door behind, so that if a dog slipped out one door, she would not be out in the street.

Obviously, even people who love pets just don’t think of all that can go wrong, so that is why it is imperative you hire someone to care for your fur kids (and others) that has gone through training in all aspects of pet care giving.

According to a PSI Poll taken December 2017-January 2018 of more than 1,000 pet owners, almost 61% say they hire professional pet sitters for the well-being of their pets. Professional pet sitters also offer additional services such as plant watering, securing mail and packages and helping make the home ‘look’ like someone is there.  The majority of people who hire professional pet sitters achieve peace of mind knowing their pets are left in the hands of someone who is adept at knowing what to do and how to care for their pet, and don’t have to rely on a family member or friend.

I could go on and on but rather, I’d like to offer you a list of things I look for in a pet sitter, and hope they are ones you will consider as well:

1. Is the company run like a business?
   • Business license: Shows the company is compliant.  Rules and regulations vary from city to city and state to state in regards to what is required to legally operate a business.  Obtaining a business license demonstrates that the humans caring for your pets are playing by the rules.  If a pet sitter is caring for your pet in his or her own home, be sure that they have the proper authorization and license to offer this service as well.
   • Professional Website: It’s the standard these days and makes a company’s “first impression,” so any business with merit takes the time to make sure that first look is a good one; 78.2% of people surveyed in the above-mentioned poll expected a professional pet sitting business to have a website.
   • Insured & Bonded: Just in case the worst happens.
   • Proof of background check: The person or company you hire will have access to your property and your beloved animal companions. Ask for third-party credentials that verify the sitter has a history of honesty and integrity. Official verification documents will contain a current date (within one year), a Social Security number trace, county-level court search results and the contact information of a reputable investigator. This documentation can provide the peace of mind you seek when admitting a new pet-care provider to your home.
   • Current client references: A referral is the sincerest form of flattery!
   • Supplies a service contract: A well-written contract outlines the details associated with each service the sitter will provide. The contract includes fees, amount of time that will be spent with your pet, exact services provided to pet (walks, feeding, medication, etc.) and other obligations. This ensures that both you and your sitter have agreed on and understand what is expected during your absence.
   • Responds quickly and courteously to calls and/or emails.
   • Belongs to a professional organization: Look on their website for a logo from Pet Sitters International®, National Association of Professional Pet Sitters® or other place where like-minded pros share, learn and grow together.  Membership shows initiative tor stay current on the latest trends and information.  It demonstrates a pet sitter’s commitment to their profession and the industry at large enabling them to have the most up-to-date educational resources and business tools thereby providing the best possible service to clients and their pets.
2. Professional Certifications
   • Pet First-Aid & CPCR: You had to anticipate this would be on the top of my list!  It’s Murphy’s Law that problems are more likely to occur when you are away from home.  A professional pet sitter will know how to treat an upset canine tummy, or help kitty cough up a fur ball.  He or she will know what to do should your bunny stop eating or your bird begin feather-picking.  Your professional pet sitter needs to be trained to handle an emergency with all species in your household and should refresh training at least every two years because human brains lose memory files and protocol is often enhanced.  Over the years, students of mine who are professional pet sitters, have jumped to the task to save a life:  I have heard back from sitters who have had to perform CPR, recognized the early signs of dehydration, spotted a seizure and got the dog to a safe location before it took hold, have bandaged, splinted, treated for bee stings, heat stroke and many have had to use the doggy Heimlich-like Maneuver to open an airway blocked by a toy or food.  This isn’t something people without training are confident enough to do.  In the words of Tina Kenny, Professional Pet Sitter, ““There is nothing as rewarding as knowing that one day after taking Denise’s Pet First-Aid class, I saved a helpless little dog from choking…and her wagging tail and thankful licks let me know she feels the same way.”
   • Certified Professional Pet Sitter® designation or other comparable training as it just shows this person wants to stay on the top of their game and is truly a pet professional, the kind of caretaker your best friend deserves.
3. Household & Neighborhood Knowledge
   • Require a walk-around your home and property, having the sitter note water & gas shut-off locations, where fire extinguisher is stored, exits and entrances, garbage cans and what lights to leave on?
   • Make sitter aware of any dangers your pet is likely to get into. Do you have paint, chemicals or anything your pet likes to seek out?  Let your professional sitter be in-the-know as to what to be on-the-lookout for!
   • Share information about neighbors — who they could call on in an emergency, what other pets are nearby and can they come in contact with yours? Is there a stray always stopping by or are rattlesnakes a concern?
   • Location of a spare key…just in case.
   • Ask the sitter his or her contingency plan should he/she fall ill or injured, if there is some type of local disaster (even a roadblock) preventing them from getting to your pet?
4. Pet Specific
   • Make sure they know exactly where your veterinarian and closest animal ER Be sure you have filled out required paperwork at these locations to allow your professional pet sitter to sign-off on treatment in your absence and that a method of payment has been worked out in advance.
   • Provide written instructions as to food, medications, playtime and sleeping locations. Be specific with amounts and time schedule.  List which toys and treats are okay and which are not; what areas you like your dog walked and any you prefer the sitter not take your dog to.  How much time you’d like spent with your cat and if an animal has any sore spots or locations that they do NOT like touched.  Much of this will be outlined in the contract/agreement, but do not leave anything out that could help the sitter better care for your buddy.
   • Alert your sitter to your pet’s medical history and any on-going conditions. If injections or pills need to be given, it’s a great idea to have your sitter present when you do so prior to going away, so that he or she may observe exactly how your pet does best.
   • Instruct your sitter of your pet’s routine down to when and how your dog’s harness is put on, what door you exit and if he gets a cookie upon return. Sticking to your pet’s normal schedule, as much as possible, creates less stress.

We all have our personal preferences, so other things you may feel important could include:

• Do they offer a free initial consultation to meet with you and your pets prior to booking?
• Will they text photos of your pet at each visit?
• Can you book online or through an app?
• Can they accept your preferred form of payment?
• Do they use GPS to track staff sitters to monitor dog walks?
• Do they accept last minute/same-day requests?
• Does the sitter have signage on their car? Some people don’t like that as it alerts neighbors to the fact that the homeowner is not there.

YES!  It is a lot to think about, but your fur kid deserves you taking the time to research his or her care giver.  A professional pet sitter may hold your pet’s life in his or her very hands and should be considered your pet’s SECOND BEST FRIEND (you, of course are his first)!  Therefore, they must know as much about your animal family member’s health, care and safety as you do because when you’re away, anything could happen.  Even when you are home though, your professional pet sitter just might be your “go-to” person for many of your pet’s needs.  He or she should not be expected to be, an expert at everything animals, however…if you have taken the time to choose well, for your pet’s sake, your professional pet sitter will either have the 4-1-1 you need or is well-connected enough to send you in the right direction to handle whatever your furry, feathered, finned or scaled family member may need or encounter.

Four paws, two wings or fins and a whole lot of scales UP to professional pet sitters!  They are our pet’s lifeline when we can’t be and should become a trusted friend to animal and human alike!

Please also view my VLOG on this topic:  https://youtu.be/r2cJ8Gz0hs0

My sincere thanks to the VBAS Photo Team for these awesome animal photos!

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For 20 years Denise Fleck’s Sunny-dog Ink motto has been “Helping people to help their pets,” and she has…teaching more than 15,000 pet lovers animal life-saving skills and millions more on “The Doctors,” CNN, “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life,” Animal Planet and other TV shows.  Denise is a frequent conference speaker, developed a line of pet first aid kits and now offers classes online.  

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post No PAWS About It…Hiring a Professional Pet Sitter is the Right Move for Your Pet appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

Whether it’s August 24th, PET RABBIT DAY, November 12th FANCY RAT & MOUSE DAY or any day of the year, humans who share their lives with bunnies, mice, rats and other pocket pets must know that lagomorphs and rodents are not small cats or dogs, and signs of distress as well as care may differ in each.  If you’re lucky enough to co-habitat or care for one of these creatures, you MUST acquaint yourself with the unique individual as well as the species so that you can determine how your patient is feeling and recognize when something is not quite right.  Be sure also to know where to call on a species-specific veterinarian should the need arise.

Did you know?

Rabbits don’t do well at all and can suffer when the environmental temperature hits 80 degrees F and above!

Rabbits are not rodents.  They are lagomorphs (along with Hares & Pikas) which is determined by two things:  1) A second set of incisors – little peg teeth behind the others, and 2) They make two kinds of poop – one that they re-ingest as it is still full of much-needed nutrients!

Rabbits can not throw up!

Rabbits can not see directly in front of them.

A “binky” is a good thing in rabbit talk.

Bumblefoot is a staph infection that rats, pocket pets and even rabbits can get that caused painful swelling to the foot pads.  Would you know how to provide proper first aid?

All of these things and a whole lot more is covered in my 90-minute class:  Pet First-Aid Basics for Rabbits & Pocket Pets!

Rabbits Need Immediate Veterinary Care if:

• Has not eaten in 24 hours
• G.I. Stasis
• Lethargic/unresponsive
• Temperature below 99°F or above 104°F
• Breathing difficulty or panting/heatstroke
• Rapid or non-existent pulse
• Seizures or head tilted
• Head tilt, weakness or signs of paralysis
• Limb dangling or not moving normally
• Diarrhea, drooling or unusual discharge
• Bite wound that has broken the skin
• Uncontrolled Bleeding (more than 5 minutes)
• Straining while urinating

Even when your precious tiny friend needs to get the the vet, there are steps you can take to prevent further injury and possibly alleviate pain.  That’s why you need to take FIRST AID BASICS FOR RABBITS & POCKET PETS!  It’s a self-guided tour through basic care and first-aid when the inevitable happens.  Just like with dogs and cats, and sometimes even harder with smaller critters, we can’t keep them in a plastic bubble preventing injury and illness, so to be the best caregiver you can be…you need to know what to do to calmly and effectively jump to the task and save the day for your little friend.

Register here and get the 4-1-1 you need to help your Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Gerbil, Mouse or Rat best pal! Don’t wish you HAD learned pet first aid!  With 80% or higher on the test, you’ll receive a Certificate of Class Completion and that applies towards CEUs with Pet Sitters International!  What are you waiting for?  Sign up today!

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Denise Fleck is an award winning author & radio show host, and a Pet First-Aid & CPR instructor who has personally taught more than 15,000 humans animal life saving skills and millions more via national television appearances.  She has authored 10 books including “The Pet Safety Bible,” and is a huge fan of professional pet sitters!  Learn more at www.PetSafetyCrusader.com.

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post First-Aid Basics for Rabbits & Pocket Pets appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.

May is National Animal Preparedness Month, but it’s so important, every day of the year, to be double-dog sure you keep dangers out of paws and claws reach.  Knowing know how to react and where to go should the worst happen can be a life-saver for your furry family members. Veterinarians are the experts, but most of us are not lucky enough to have one velcroed to our hip 24/7. Even if you live in a house with 10 humans, the cat is going to choke and the dog will cut his paw when you are home alone or AFTER veterinary hours, so you know what to do (aka pet first aid) BEFORE you can get to veterinary help!

As part of your _{WRITTEN EMERGENCY PLAN}, know where your nearest ANIMAL EMERGENCY CENTER is! Don’t just save the phone number in your cell – actually drive there and learn the closest route from home.  Know which Animal ER is closest to your favorite dog park or hiking location, and…if you’re a pet sitter or mobile groomer, you need to research and find ones in all the neighborhoods you frequent. When you need to act quickly during an emergency, you must be on auto-pilot, not having to consciously think, “Is it a right or left turn?”  Your energy should be focused on staying calm and tending to your furry patient’s needs. Find out now what services your Animal ER offers and how they accept payment BEFORE you need to use them.  Know where to park, the closest entrance and any details that can alleviate stress.  Make sure your pet insurance is up-to-date, that you have an emergency credit card or other way to help your best pal get the care he may need.

Also carry a PET EMERGENCY CARD in your wallet next to your Driver’s License or ID.   Several companies offer services where you can sign up in their data base, but at least make a simple card like the one below.  If you are in an accident, First Responders need to know that you have animals at home who need care. Can you imagine pets left alone, unfed, dogs not let out while you are unconscious in a hospital?!  It’s unthinkable.  Do confirm with human caregivers you designate on the card that they are on board with helping in your time of need.  Caregivers should not be strangers to your pet but rather someone who knows them and has developed a rapport.  A professional pet sitter, such as one obtained through Pet Sitters International, is PAWSome as professionals participate in on-going education and are qualified to providing the best care possible for your fur kid!  To truly prepare your pets for an eventuality, I strongly encourage you to check in with my dear friend Debra Hamilton to MAAP out a plan for your furry family’s care.

One more bit of paper work…a PET ALERT STICKER placed near your front door or window lets First Responders, Animal Control and other officials know there are pets home alone in the event you aren’t allowed back in your home due to an emergency. If you are told to evacuate, TAKE YOUR PETS WITH YOU, but I do realize you may not be home at the time, so having a sticker allows others to locate and evacuate your loved ones.  If you are home however, and leave with your pets, just cross out your sticker so that others aren’t spending time searching for animals that aren’t there and can go on to help those in need.

A GRReat place to learn more about this and truly get disaster prepared, is my “The Pet Safety Crusader’s My Pet & Me Guide to Disaster PAWparedness.”  My Disaster PAWparedness Pack also includes a written emergency plan template, 2 Pet Emergency ID Cards and a Pet Alert Sticker.

By preparing for the worst, you just might prevent the worst from happening!

WATCH MY VIDEO VLOG ON THIS TOPIC HERE https://youtu.be/YexjE3n8z_I

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Denise Fleck is an award winning author and freelance writer.  After extensive training, practice, more training and more practice, she developed her own Pet First-Aid & CPR curriculum and has been teaching animal life-saving skills for close to 20 years with many success stories to share.  Additionally she developed a 5 month long Animal Care course for high school students in conjunction with the Burbank Unified School District and Animal Shelter.  She has demonstrated animal life-saving skills on CBS –TV’s “The Doctors,” Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss,” “Kirstie Alley’s Big Life” and countless other shows. To complement her teachings, Denise created a line of Pet First-Aid Kits, posters and books for children teaching animal respect and care!  Visit www.PetSafetyCrusader.com or call (818) 951-7962.

Note:  The articles on this page are copyrighted.  Please do not reprint or use portions for any purpose without written permission from the author.  Request permission for usage by sending an email explaining how you’d like to use the materials and what parts specifically.  Thank you in advance!

The post Your Animal ER, Pet Emergency Card & Pet Alert Sticker appeared first on Pet Safety Crusader.