FAQs

What is Pet Sitting?

Pet sitting is a customized, professional service dedicated to providing loving, experienced care for your pet in the comfort and security of your own home. Pet sitting includes a variety of services, like walking dogs while owners are at work, transporting dogs to and from appointments, feeding and socializing cats, staying overnight at a client's home to care for their pets and watch over their home; thereby providing security and peace of mind.

Caring pet owners know their pets adjust better to their leaving & have less stress when they remain at home. Pet sitters make this possible with daily visits to your home and lots of love & attention. That's why in-home pet care is the choice for loving pet owners & the pet-preferred method.

There are numerous advantages in using a professional pet sitter, once you have experienced them you will become a frequent user and you will have a new friend for your pet and someone who will be a great help to you.

Avoid the pitfalls of using a friend, neighbor or relative! Stick with the professionals. It's a professional's job to care for your pet and abide by your wishes. For friends and relatives your pet is only one of many tasks they have to attend to. Professional pet sitters have experience and training to cover the unexpected. What happens if your friend has a family emergency, comes down with the flu, or the kid next door simply forgets! A professional sitter has a reliable contingency plan in place for any situation that may arise.

We have a genuine love for animals and your pets welfare is always our primary concern. We take the responsibility of feeding, watering, administering medications, making visits, staying overnight with your pet, providing love, attention, and exercise very serious! People not in this profession by choice, just don't have the same devotion.

Why hire a professional pet sitter?

Benifits for your pet

Reduced Stress: Your pet stays in its own familiar secure environment where all the sights, smells and sounds say Home.

Diet and Exercise: Customary diet and exercise routines are followed, with no interruptions to upset your pet.

Health Concerns: With a professional pet sitter, there is minimal exposure to illness from other animals

Tender Loving Care: Most importantly, your pet receives love and personal attention while you are away.

Benefits for the Pet Owner?

Peace of Mind: While you are away, you can feel confident your pet is in capable caring hands.

No imposition: You will not have to impose on friends, neighbors, or relatives to care for your pet care. Instead rely on a pet care professional who will put your pet�s needs first.

Security: Your home is made more secure by the crime deterrent services provided by most pet sitting services.

Special Services: Pet sitters can provide additional home services while caring for your pet, such as watering plants, and bringing in the mail.

No travel: You will not be inconvenienced or upset by transporting your pet.

No Extra Expense: Put aside any additional cost that kennels have for specific drop-off and pick-up times.

How are you different from other petsitters?

Our approach is holistic. What I mean by that is that we know there are no cookie-cutter approaches to any animal's care. You can't simply come in, put down the kibble, scoop a litter box, scratch a tummy and be on your way.

We approach each pet's care in the context of their current quality of life with their human family. While we know we can't replicate you, we do our best to maintain a schedule that approximates yours.

This approach helps us care for pets in a unique way.

We are also exclusive in our client list. Our clients have a team approach to their pet's care. They recognize that we are part of that team, as is their groomer, veterinarian and trainer. We work with clients that treat their pets like part of the family and treat their pet-sitters accordingly.

Michelle's Pet-errific Care does our best to provide you with last minute care when needed (obviously this isn't possible on holidays or busy travel weekends).

We're human and we know you are too. If your boss changes your travel schedule at the last minute, or you've got an ailing parent you need to visit right away, we make sure that you can take care of those things without worrying about your pets.

Basically we guarantee you a guilt-free trip!

Are you a member of a Pet Sitting Proffessional Organization?
Yes. I am a member of NAPPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters) and PSI (Pet Sitters International) the two leading pet sitters organizations.

Are you bonded and insured?
Yes I am bonded and insured, and can provide prof upon request.

Do you take dogs on solo or group walks?
Unless requested by the owner I will only walk dogs from one family at a time.

Do you take dogs to off-leash parks?
The 5 Cities area does not yet have an off-leash dog park. So in general no, and if I do I will only do "field trips" if I am completely confident of the dog in my control and have a good understanding of the other dogs that are in the park. And of course ONLY if the owner requests it.
Off-leash dog parks can be a great place for dogs to socialize, have fun and just be dogs. It is also a big risk, even if you know your own dog you have to be totally aware of all other dogs around you (and their owners).

Will the Sitter reinforce obedience training with your pet?
YES - during our "intro visit" we find out how YOU handle your dog, so that everything stays constant for the dog (no confussion for the dog or you when you get home).

Does the Sitter work evenings/weekends/holidays?
Yes - sometimes there maybe a surcharge for these times.

Can the Sitter accommodate last-minute appointments?
We always try to accommodate last minute appointments, but sometimes we just can't... so ALWAYS contact Michelle's Pet-errific Care as soon as you think you may need a Sitter, if your schedule is not "firm" yet, we can pencil you in to hold your spot as long as possible, if we then fill up we will then call you to let you know if you need to firm up your plans or ask if we can give away your spot.

Does the Sitter do any other chores such as bringing in the mail etc?
Yes - part of our service is that we will bring in the mail, news papers, place the trash cans on the curb for pick-up, open and close blinds, water plants, etc just ask. All at no extra cost.

Can a Sitter spend the night at our house?
Yes - Overnight visits are available on a first come first serve basis. Our overnight visits generally start at 8pm and and at 8am.

Can the Sitter administer medications?
Yes - Pills, liquids, topicals, and injections ... we like to schedule our "intro visit" during a time when you tyipcally medicate your pet so that we can see how your pet reacts to being medicated etc and any "tricks" that you have in medicating your pet.

Has the Sitter ever had to deal with an emergancy while pet sitting?
No - and very few minor ones in the 20+ years I have been taking care of other people's pets. I figure it is because of all the information that we have you fill out before hand, so we know what to expect before it happens. You know your pet... I know pet behavior. We are always ready for the unexpected, and we have good common sense to figure out anything that we couldn't possibly have thought of. Being a pet person and knowing and talking with outher pet people you hear stories upon stories of "you wouldn't believe this" , so each time I hear one I file it away and try to figure out what I would have done during that instance and what could be done to keep it from happening in the first place.

Do you have a Vet on call in the event of an emergancy?
We will always try to use the vet(s) that is listed on your pet's profile, if they (your first and second choice) are unavailable we will go to the Pet ER. I keep all vet information at my finger tips so that if an emergancy does happen that no time is lost. We will always try to get ahold of you first in the event of an emergancy, but if we can not we will take them to the vet to get them at least stabolized till we hear from you... all this information is on our Vet Release form that you fill out.

Do you offer discount packages?
Yes - ask about them when you call.

Can you provide references?
YES! - please ask about them and please call them :-)