I may have written about this before but I want to bring light to the importance of hiring a professional pet sitter vs hiring a high school student or even the stay at home mom (SAHM),
I know with this economy everyone is trying to cut corners and save a buck here and there and believe me I am no different. I too am feeling the pinch of this severe recession to the point that my business has dropped off about 30 percent in the last year. But what I want to do is just point out some important factors that all pet owners should keep in mind when finding a pet sitter and deciding whom you are going to allow to take care of your pet.
Yesterday, Chester County experienced the joy of the first snow storm. I am sure if you have kids in the house they were excited and filled with joy about seeing the wonderful white stuff fall from the sky and cover the ground. And I know that a number of you were probably thinking I am so thankful that I don’t have to head out in this stuff. So you turned on or up the heat and found some season appropriate Halloween movie to watch and settled in the day. For the professional pet sitter it means a much different event.
I on the other hand was like, “This weather sucks!” Yes, my dogs enjoyed the white stuff, maybe not as much as your own children, but I look at it in a much different matter.
I made sure my tires were ok, and where did I have to go yesterday and I had to make sure I gave myself enough of time to get there. Is my cell phone fully charged and of course, am I dressed warm enough. Yes, I was out driving around the countryside in the wonderful white stuff from early in the morning to late last night. Do you think that a high school kid would be allowed to do that or would a SAHM head out in that stuff?
I have gone out in worse weather; ice storms, hurricanes, along with many inches of the white stuff. Not just inches, but close to a foot of snow or more to get to my destination, because I have the responsibility of taking care of other people’s pets. I take my job very seriously.
Some of you may not realize this but the responsible professional pet sitter has to have insurance and that is not cheap. Have you also seen that gas prices are hovering around $3.50 a gallon? All of this cost money.
There are two websites that allow pet owners to “shop” for pet sitters; Care.com and Sittercity.com. Both allow a pet owner to post their pet sitting needs, the dates they need a pet sitter and what they are willing to pay for a pet sitter. You’d be surprised at what some people post for a “rate” they are willing to pay for someone to come and take care of their pet. Ex: $5.00 for a 30 minute visit. Yes, you read that right, some people actually think they will find a pet sitter for $5.00 for a 30 minute walk. If I could walk there and be there within 5 minutes than maybe I would consider applying for the job, but to travel more than 10 miles for $5.00 is not cost effective, and I wouldn’t even consider applying for that job.
That’s like I only want to pay a baby sitter $1.00 an hour to take care of my child. I’m going to give them a key and leave the house and they are going to be alone in my home with my child. The value of your care giver, whether it is your human child or your four-legged child should be high. Thinking you will get a “deal” by paying less for your care giver, you are also risking what or whom you are hiring.
Or I want to find a mechanic to work on my car but I don’t want to pay more than $25.00 a hour, but if you do find one for that price, he doesn’t do brake work, exhausts and he doesn’t work when it is sunny out.
Ummm, who should I hire to care for my pet? Hire a professional pet sitter. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Warning! There are pet sitters that don’t work weekends, early hours, late nights or holidays and aren’t available for emergencies. There are also pet sitters that get the client and than they sub contract the work out and you don’t know who is coming in your home. So be careful who you hire.
A professional pet sitter is compassionate, flexible and willing, yes willing to go out in any weather no matter how much snow or ice is on the ground and no matter how they feel physically either. Sickness is not an option. I have done jobs while passing a kidney stone, with the flu and with a severe upper respiratory infection. Yes, nothing has stopped me from doing my job.
Just as I stated above you get what you pay for, so hire a professional when you want someone to take care of your pet. It makes a difference when it comes to the care of your pet.
If you are looking for a pet sitter, you can always check out my website; www.joycelovespets and drop me a note with any questions you may have about me or my services.
Enjoy the snow! Take the dogs for a walk today. They will enjoy the fresh air and it is good for you too!
Have a Happy Pet Day!
October 2011
3 posts
Shouldn’t every month be Adopt a Shelter Dog Month? I think so. Do you know that because of the economy more dogs and cats are being turned into area shelters at a higher rate than before?
People are surrendering their pets because they have either lost their job, lost their house and are forced to move, or because they have had to cut back on their expenses and the family pet is usually the first thing to go. And area shelters, whether they are no-kill or kill shelters are bursting at the seams with adult dogs and cats.
So I am going to tell you a story.
A couple of weeks ago I met a wonderful female. She was an older female and yes she was a little gray around the edges. She was so filled with life! So filled with spunk and energy, she showed so much love and care to everyone she met. All she wanted to do was enjoy her senior years by sharing it with someone, by sharing her experience she had with a special person. All she wanted was a….job!
Yes, I am talking about a person.
No, I am not going to start sharing information about the job market or the lack there of one in this area for those that have experience or that want to reenter the job market but the competition is so difficult. I am trying to make a point.
Just like our human seniors we take senior dogs and cats for granted. These are the pets that are overlooked at area shelters. Everyone falls in love with the playful ball of fur thinking that they are so cute and full of life. But the senior dog or cat still has a lot of life in them and they too want to find their forever home to share the rest of their life with.
They bring with them experience that you don’t have to teach to a puppy or kitten. There is no housebreaking that needs to be done. They are usually already spayed or neutered and have all their vaccinations, so you don’t have the major expense of getting these done. Often times they are already trained and know basic commands. And they have so much love to give, but yet they are overlooked everyday because no one wants to take a chance on an older pet.
So if you are thinking of expanding your pet family consider adopting the senior pet; the one that is over 5 years of age to be your new companion. They still have so much to give. Even if you aren’t ready to expand your family, consider fostering. A number of shelters are always looking for foster families. It gives so much to a pet and helps out your shelter so much by giving them room to take in more pets.
Call your local shelter today or take a look at their adoptable pets, there are so many out there waiting for a new home and another chance at giving love.
Have a Happy Pet Day Everyone!
Maybe I have or had a name, but I am just a dog. I live outside all year round. Chained to a post in the ground with a dog house I call home. This is my existence. I live under a tree in the backyard. I have no toys or anyone to play with. No companion to run with or cuddle with on a cold night. No soft blanket or bed, just a dog house.
I get straw when it gets cold out to help keep me warm, but it is my mere existence to live at the end of this chain. I dig holes in the yard when I get hot to lay my weary body in. This chain has become heavy that is attached to me and my body is slowly becoming weak.
I see my owner from time to time, but he doesn’t take me off my chain and walk me or take me inside when it is cold or rainy. I believe there is another dog that lives in the house, but I don’t get to play with it. Not sure how often I get fed, but I am small for my breed.
People drive by everyday and see me, but they don’t stop either. No one does.
This chain is getting heavy and my body is growing weaker everyday.
For more than 7 years I have lived on this chain. I am a Rottweiler. I was at one time loved I think. They got me and brought me home, but all I know is this dog house and this chain. I know mud, cold, rain and heat. I lie here in the dirt on hot days and curl up in my box on cold nights.
The rain came. It rained hard this time. But no one came to take me in away from the storm; the thunder or lightning. I am alone. I have my chain.
Today the owner came and he held me. I am gone now. No more dog house, no more chain.
I am free. Free of my chain.
The above is my thoughts of a dog I have driven by everyday for the last 7 + years. He lived outside everyday, no matter what the weather was; severe heat and severe cold or snow or rain. He is gone now. His dog house remains. Even the pole that his chain was connected to is gone.
The day after Hurricane Irene came through I saw the owner holding him in the yard with an older woman standing next to him with a little bichon by her side. I believe the dog had died during the night. I haven’t seen the dog since.
Rest in Peace Unknown Dog.
There are not tethering laws in the state of Pennsylvania. It is not illegal to keep a dog outside on a chain all day long, all year round, no matter what the weather is. As long as a dog is provided shelter, food and water this owner did nothing illegal. It may not be illegal, but in my mind it isn’t right.
A dog does not deserve to be bought and adopted to only know the existence of living on the end of the chain. We as residents in the state of Pennsylvania need to change the current laws and make it illegal to tether a dog 24/7.
There currently is a bill in the House of Representative to limit the time allowed for a dog to be tethered. I have attached the link below.
Take the time if you can and write to representative and let them know that they need to vote on this before winter comes and more dogs die at the end of the chain because of the cold.
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/lawmap/pa.html
http://www.unchainpadogs.com/
Love your dog! Love your cat! Speak out for those that have no voices.
