*This post is in partnership with Rover.com however, all opinions are my own and as always your can read more about my Disclosure Policy here.

Seeking out the Perfect Pet Sitter

From time to time, the dreaded occasion comes when you have to leave your sweet four-legged friends in the care of someone else. Whether that’s for a weekend away, an extended vacation, or a long day at the office, you’re always going to want to know that your dog or cat is tremendously well cared-for. Here’s how to find that perfect pet sitter that will set your mind at ease knowing that your furry love is happy and safe when you’re away.

Use a vetted sitter-matching service — providing sitters who actually love their job.

A pet-sitting network like Rover.com has already started the process for you. Looking for qualified sitters that have been fully background-checked? Rover’s done that. Looking for sitters who genuinely love dogs and cats? Rover sitters fit that description, too. Sitting for Rover is such a fun and convenient gig that it attracts passionate, experienced, and overall wonderful pet caretakers. Rover profiles are detailed with testimonials from sitters’ past clients, full bios describing the specific kind of experience they have, plus rate information and availability.

Start your process early.

You’ll want to start your sitter search at least a month before the time you’ll need them. If you need a sitter for a popular event or busy holiday weekend, consider giving yourself even more padding than just a month. The great thing about using a service like Rover is that the network is incredibly extensive (over 140,000 sitters nationwide), which gives you more padding against cancellations than you’d get from, say, using the services of friends, family, or coworkers. In the event that a Rover sitter were to cancel, the network works hard to find you a replacement.

Screen your candidates before the job.

The best thing you could do for you, your pet, and your prospective sitter is to meet with them beforehand. Arrange a casual get-together that will allow you to interview your sitter, introduce them to your dog or cat, and assess how they would handle your pet’s needs and overall routine. A walk around the neighborhood, meet-up at a pet-friendly coffee shop, or dog park romp are all fun and relaxed ways to get to know your sitter and see if they connect with your pet.

The most important things to remember in your sitter search are transparency, communication, and preparation. If you take the time to thoroughly vet the right sitter for your pet, communicate your concerns and needs to your prospective sitter, and prepare for your time away from your four-legged friend, all parties will be happy.

Written by Casey Dickson, Rover.com community member. Rover is the nation’s largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

[wds id=”1″]