Yes, believe it or not there are different types. The vast majority of people these days assume that pet sitting is bringing clients fur-kids back to their own home.
But…
What types of pet sitting are around these days? Let’s have a look at some of the different forms on offer these days..
Pet Sitting – the more traditional approach to pet sitting where the sitter travels to the home of the animal and cares for the needs of the animals, which usually involves feed time and topping up water, cleaning out trays, etc.
House Sitting – is when the sitter comes to stay at the residence of the animal as a live in type of situation, whilst caring for the animals needs.
Boarding – is when the animal goes to stay with the sitter for the length of time you are away. This has become a popular approach and is quite possibly the reason why so many assume that pet sitting is taking an animal home.
It is important to remember that not all sitters offer – or are able to – the same services. Pet sitters also have their own set of circumstances they are dealing with.
What type of sitter is Don’t Furr-get the Cat!?
Pet sitting! We offer the more traditional approach to pet sitting by leaving the animals in their own environment where some of the stress they may feel is minimised. Pets can feel large amounts of anxiety when their routine is changed or when their family is away – some experience extreme anxiety. This is when keeping them in their own environment can help ease the emotions they may experience.
How much time is spent with your fur baby?
I usually allow around 45 minutes. This is usually enough time to take the edge off any anxiety your pet may be feeling – and yes, every pet shows anxiety, some may just be more subtle at showing it than others. I have never liked the idea of FIFO sitting (Fly In, Fly Out) while I have some poor precious baby clinging to me because they are struggling with their emotions – and they can experience a broad range of them!
What’s involved with visit?
Most animals are usually very clingy from the moment you arrive, so getting tasks done promptly can be slowed down – unless your willing to ignore the pet, which I’m not willing to. Imagine how you would feel in this situation.. your entire family has gone away, you don’t know how long for, and the person who comes to care for you rushes around in hurry attending to tasks completely ignoring that you are trying to talk to them because you haven’t had any interaction with anyone, and you’re missing your family. No doubt you would feel even more anxious! And yes, this is something that has been proven by scientists now, that dogs and cats process emotions the same way we do. So if you want to know how they’re feeling – put yourself in their shoes. It’s a magic formula that will open a whole new world to you when it comes to your fur-baby.
For this reason, I focus on the care of your fur-baby, and this includes their emotional well being too. It takes time for an animal to find some peace and calm. This is also why time is not spent on other things, like watering the plants.
What’s some other things to keep in mind?
One of the biggest things I find talking to pet parents at the meet and greet is that they don’t realise, or can forget, that their doggos are generally there for a reason. To alert of strangers. It is an innate part of a dog’s make up – and yes some can be slack in that regard and are lovers rather than fighters. Lol. But the vast majority of the time, until your sitter can build a bond with your pupper, which can take quite some time, they will most likely be viewed by your pupper as an intruder. At that point it becomes a workplace health and safety issue, and it is for this reason that I don’t take on large dogs (unless their a golden retriever ha ha 😁 those dogs are just gorgeous!)
Don't Furr-get the Cat! 