Ever used a pet sitter?

Leigha12

Our puppy is still not old enough to be home alone all day and it is getting really hard for DH to get home at lunch some days, so we either need to put him in doggy day care, or hire a sitter/walker to take him out at lunch on the days we can't get home. But the idea of giving someone my house key scares the bejeebies out of me. Any of you ladies ever done it?  If so, how was the experience?

LarkNow

We have a cat sitter come when we go out of town.  That's a little bit different, since they're cats, but the leaving your key with a stranger part is the same.  I would say just shop around carefully for companies.  Get recommendations from your friends if you can (we couldn't) and trust your gut to tell if they're on the up and up.  We hired a serious company with a website and a business model and contracts and bonding.  The cat sitter came over to meet me and the cats a few weeks before we left town, so I had a chance to get to know her.  They also provided a contact number which we could call at any time to get updates on our cats (you won't need this, as you're not going out of town, but it really comforted me).  HTH!

Philly6*6*09

I use to be a dog sitter, for my neighbor.

They would go away for long weekends, and I would walk the dog, and feed the dog. 

It was fine from my perspective.

 

Leigha12

I really wish we could use a neighbor, but we just moved into the neighborhood and don't know anyone.  I've seen a couple sitters in my area that have web sites, are bonded, etc.  Guess DH and I need to scour their web sites and start meeting some of them.  Traffic is so bad today due to the weather that DH couldn't make it home, so our pup will be going all day without human interaction. I feel awful right now.

jenvalet

I am an insured cat sitter.  You should check on www.petsit.com and the top right click on "Locate a Pet Sitter".  People on there will have insurance.  You want to make sure they're covered in case something happens.  If it is a company that sends an employee rather than the owner, make sure they are bonded as well.  Meet with them and make sure you're comfortable with them.  Good luck!

Leigha12

Thanks, Jen. I'll check out that site!

Leigha12

Jen, again, thanks! 1 of the sitters I'd seen online previously was on there (only 3 came up for my area) and another one that might be able to provide in-their-home care during Thanksgiving was on there, as well.