B & B Pet Care is pleased to be given the responsibility for caring for your pet(s). To ensure the best for your pets’ health and welfare while you are gone, we ask you to follow this checklist of items that will allow your pet sitter to provide top-notch care. As always, you can contact us with any questions.
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- Provide documentation confirming that your dog or cat (if allowed outdoors) is up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Make sure your pet wears current vaccination tags on its collar.
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- If your pet chews on things, set out “chew toys” and do whatever is necessary to protect your personal items and home furnishings from his or her teeth while you are away.
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- Write out your pet’s favorite hiding places. This help the sitter find your pet if he or she does not appear when the sitter arrives.
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- If your pet has any unusual habits like destructive behavior when left alone, change in bowel or eating habits, etc., tell your sitter about these in advance.
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- If you own cats along with other animals, please note that the sitter is honor-bound to care for the cats as well. We do not charge per pet fees, and will care for your cats along with your other animals.
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- Set out everything your pet needs in one visible and accessible area. This includes food, treats, utensils, food and water bowls, medications, leash, can opener, toys, paper towels, cleaning supplies, garbage bags, litter and scoop, broom and dustpan and/or vacuum cleaner, pet towels, newspapers or other housebreaking materials, and watering can for plants.
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- Provide extra food, litter, and supplies just in case you are home later than expected.
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- Let us know your preferences for the sanitary disposal of feces, whether picking up during outside/walk time, or scooping of litter boxes. (Do not expect your sitter to pick up any pet messes that accumulated before their contract period.)
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- Clean out your refrigerator so that food does not spoil, and wash all dishes so that there is no chance of ants or other pests invading the house.
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- Make sure the sitter knows how to operate your heat and air conditioner, and which settings should be used for the comfort of your pet. Check your settings before you leave. If there is an alarm system, please make sure sitter knows how to operate this as well.
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- Close off any areas of your home that are off limits to the pet or sitter, and let him or her know about it in advance. If there are any particular problems he or she should be aware of, such as a leaky faucet or a cat that likes to get into the garbage, tell him or her before you leave.
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- If you are leaving anything specifically for your pet sitter, such as a batch of cookies or a tip, leave a note. Sitters will not take anything from a house unless he or she is specifically invited to!
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- If other people may access the house or care for the pets, make sure the sitter knows what he or she is responsible for and who he or she might encounter in the house. The sitter will not automatically know the difference between an authorized house visit and a break-in. Make sure the sitter and other person have each other’s contact information.
- Notify your veterinarian in writing that a pet sitter will be caring for your pet and authorize the vet to extend medical care during your absence if it becomes necessary.