Tired of the neighbor’s kids forgetting to feed your dog when you go on vacation? It may be time to hire a professional pet sitter.  The main advantage of using a professional pet sitter is their reliability.  A sitter can be counted on to show up at the appointed hour.  Your dog gets to follow his routine, he’s not in danger of contracting kennel cough (which sometimes occurs when you board your dog), and your home won’t look vacant to thieves casing the neighborhood.

            A sitter will likely devote more time to your dog than would the staff of a busy boarding kennel.  Generally, sitters are able to walk dogs more frequently – “I always suggest three times a day,” says Susan Braunstein, proprietor of Susan B. Pet Sitting Service in the Bronx, New York – and will spend their time playing with their charges and brushing them.  Furthermore, professional sitters are often trained in administering medication.

            A professional will pay more attention to the dog’s moods.  “Some dogs get depressed when their owner goes away,” observes Braunstein.  But separation anxiety shouldn’t be a problem if your dog can handle your everyday absences.  Most dogs that are okay when you go out to work would do fine with a pet sitter for a few days.

Selecting a Sitter

You can find a sitter by asking your veterinarian or groomer for a recommendation, consulting the Yellow Pages, or calling a professional pet sitter association.  Pet Sitters International (PSI), a professional group in King, North Carolina offers a locator line at 800-268-SITS. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters in Washington D.C. can be contacted at 800-296-PETS.  Sitters who are members of associations may be insured and bonded.  Prices vary by region, averaging $10-$13 per visit with extra charges for additional animals, according to PSI’s Cara Haynes.

            A personal interview is crucial.  “A reliable pet sitter is going to want to come to the house and meet you and the animal,” says Haynes.  Braunstein may take a prospective client’s dog for a trial walk to see how he or she responds.  Ask what the sitter would do if the animal were to escape from your home or get sick.  Sitters will ask for your dog’s health record and may request that you sign a form granting them permission to take the dog the veterinarian in an emergency.  Be sure to check sitter’s references before closing the deal.