How we choose our pet sitters
How we choose our pet sitters
We have nearly 1000 mature, caring employees who are meticulously vetted and personally interviewed. They are selected not only for their integrity and reliability but also for their domestic and pet care skills. Pet sitting assignments, particularly, need aptitude and experience and a genuine warmth towards animals.
Most of our employees choose to become Homesitters because they have been pet owners and welcome another opportunity to care for animals. We specifically solicit applications from people who have proven pet skills.
At interview, we explore our sitters’ pet ownership in depth: how recently they owned pets and for how long; the breeds; the exercise they were used to giving; any experience of administering medication (including injections); any special skills (some of our pet sitters have bred, shown, judged or professionally handled animals).
Our interviewers then assess the sitters’ capabilities and suitability as pet sitters. Attitude to pets is the key criterion – we need pet lovers; sitters who are appropriate to stand in as surrogate owners in our clients’ absence.
Matching you and your pet to the right pet carer
When you book with us, your administrator will take details of your pet’s breed, age, temperament, state of health, any medication, sleeping arrangements, diet, exercise and grooming routine.
She/he will discuss your preferences in a petsitter e.g. male/female/couple, with own car, happy to have pets on the bed. All Homesitters are non-smokers, without accompanying pets.
We then individually match you to the nearest of our employees whose abilities, experience and attitudes most aptly suit your requirements, for example:
- should your dogs need a couple of good walks per day, your dog sitter will be an enthusiastic walker
- should your elderly cat require gentle cosseting and medication, we’ll provide just the right reassuring cat sitter
- if you have guinea pigs, we’ll choose a pet sitter who is happy and experienced in their handling and care
- if you have chickens, we’ll select someone who is used to poultry and won’t disturb layers!
We contact you with details of the pet sitter and put you in touch with him/her. Usually there will be an opportunity for a preliminary meeting long before the assignment, and you will see how your pet reacts to the sitter.
Phone 01296 630 730 or use our online contact form to request more details on our pet sitting service.