How to Keep a Good Pet Sitter

As you know by my profile, I'm a pet sitter. I have been doing this for a very long time, along with my vet tech work in earlier days. While I know it may be hard to find a good pet sitter, here is my tongue in cheek (not really) list of ways to keep a good pet sitter! I know this post has nothing to do with menopause other than the fact that I'm feeling bitchy today.

1. When you agreed to leave payment on the kitchen counter, don't instead leave a note saying how you were a little short on vacation spending cash, so you will "pop" the check in the mail when you get home. Chances are your sitter has budgeted that payment towards this weeks groceries for her family.


2. Don't leave without telling your sitter you recently changed the locks forcing her to use the doggy door. Of course this only works if you own a Great Dane anyway!


3. Please, please, please do not forget to mention your Uncle Billy sometimes stops by with his girlfriends to use the pool.....naked!


4. Don't forget to close the doors leading to anywhere in your home the diabetic cat can hide when it's time to get his insulin. This will result in your sitter re-arranging all the furniture in your house looking for said cat only to find he is up inside your king size bed's torn open box spring and isn't going to get his insulin at all. This will next result in a phone call to you requesting you return home as your cat will most likely not survive two weeks without his insulin.


5. Make sure to leave all sex toys in a secure spot where your dog will not find them and request a game of impromptu tug-a-war with your sitter.


6. Please inform nosy old Mrs Jones next door that it's ok for your sitter to walk around the outside of your home inspecting the premises and not to call the police (especially if she sees said sitter climbing through the doggy door).


7. During hurricane season, don't expect your sitter to put up your 35 plus shutters for no extra charge.


8. Don't asked your sitter to "as long as your here" run the vacuum.


9. Don't think your helping your sitter gain new clients by referring her to your crazy Aunt with 27 cats, 8 dogs (all Chihuahuas who pee on the floor), 4 parrots (who bite), 3 rabbits and a ferret. All of which she cooks "special" diets for. There is not enough pay in the world to make that job worth it!


10. If you arrive home early and forget to tell your sitter (who shows up at 7am), please don't ask her to join you for coffee in your underwear. Expect to be charged for the visit regardless.

Believe it or not, all these things have happen to me over the years, sometimes more than once!