Preparing for a Pet Sitter

Our owner, Jessica Barry had this to say about that first vacation away from her fur baby: “I remember the first time that I left on a vacation and left my pet behind. Half of the time, I was wondering if I should call every hour to check in on my fur baby and the rest of the time I was hoping they weren’t driving my pet sitter up a wall!”

We’re going to assume you’ve already found the PERFECT pet sitter for your family during this planning stage… but what next? 

We want to help make things as simple as possible, so our team sat down and compiled a list of things to do for your peace of mind before your pet sitter arrives!

Here are some tips to help pet parents prepare for a pet sitter before heading off on vacation:

Provide Detailed Instructions

Be sure to create a comprehensive outline detailing your pets’ daily routine, feeding schedule, medication instructions, and any behavioral quirks or preferences. Our booking portal has space for all of these notes and a more. By keeping your pet’s care routine up to date within the app, your pet care team will have all of the information they need at the tips of their fingers. Think: from waking up to going to sleep… how do you interact with your pet?

Jessica offered this tip, “You know your pet best, so things that may be less obvious are crucial. Think of their temperament: do they react to certain things or have some undesirable behaviors we may need to look out for? We LOVE details, so don’t be afraid to share as much as you’d like!

Remember, these instructions aren’t simply which cabinet you keep the treats but a way to coach your pet sitter how to best interact with your pet.

Stock Up on Supplies

Make sure you have an ample supply of food, treats, medication, litter, and any other essentials your pets will need during your absence. Leave clear instructions within your profile on where to find everything, including spare supplies and cleaning materials. 

We recommend that if you have storage for your pet supplies to please label them accordingly. Not only should you top off your supplies, but make sure there is a surplus just in case! We often have to add last minute visits for clients due to delayed flights, weather or they just feel like staying that extra day!

Prepare Your Home

We get it… no one wants to pack AND clean up their home right before a vacation! It is crucial that you tidy up your home and create a safe and comfortable environment for your pets and the pet sitter. Remove any hazards, secure windows and doors, and provide clear instructions for using any household alarm systems, lights or other technology we may need to utilize. Be sure to shut doors to rooms you don’t want your pets to have access to.

Sense the trend yet? We need to know things. If you have a specific quirk about your home, please let us know!

Introduce Your Pet and Sitter

Arrange a meeting between your pets and the pet sitter before your vacation. RCO offers Meet and Greets for us to get to know your pet and begin to build a relationship before you leave! This Meet and Greet also allows your pets to become familiar with the sitter’s scent and presence, reducing anxiety when you’re away. Use this time to demonstrate your pets’ routines and preferences to the sitter.

Pay attention to your pet’s body language during initial interactions. Sometimes a certain sitter might not be a great fit or the pet may be shy and need some “trial” visits to warm up prior to your departure.

Communicate Regularly

Stay in touch with your pet sitter while you’re away to check on your pets and address any concerns. At each visit, our team will send you a full report with photos, checklists, notes and more to let you know exactly what your pet is up to and how they’re doing! Simply reply within the app or send us a text to get in touch with your sitter and management team.

At RCO, our policies outline communication expectations clearly to ensure your pet is provided with continuous care and you’re never left wondering! 

Leave Emergency Plans

Prepare for the unexpected by discussing emergency procedures with your pet sitter. The RCO team will provide an authorization form at the Meet and Greet allowing our team to authorize medical treatment on your behalf in an emergency. 

Of course, in the case of an emergency our first step would always be to call you! But in the event you have no service, you’re sleeping due to a time difference, and other unpredictable reasons, we ask you provide detailed instructions on who to contact and steps to take to protect your pet and home.

Be sure to ask your pet sitter about their emergency plans as well. What if they become ill, their car breaks down or another unforeseen circumstance occurs? Who will take over the care of your pet? How will they know what to do? Our clients love our team-based approach so they can rest assured we have back up for your sitter, back up for that back up, back up for THAT back up… you get the idea!

Preparing for a Pet Sitter Sets Everyone Up for Success!

Your vacation shouldn’t be the cause of anxiety. By taking the time to prepare your home and your pets for a pet sitter before your vacation, you can enjoy your time away with peace of mind knowing that your furry family members are in capable hands.

If you are still looking for the perfect pet care provider for your family’s needs, our dog walking, pet sitting and dog training services may be a great fit for your family! To learn how RCO Pet Care can help you with your pet care needs, contact us or call us at (203) 641-2428. We are proud to service Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, CT and Woodbury, CT. If you’re outside of our service area, we’re happy to help you find a reputable, professional pet care provider. We’ve got your tail!