Everything feels so expensive these days and pet care is no exception. If you’re planning your next out of town getaway you might be considering saving money by asking a friend, family member, neighbor, or a low-priced stranger online to provide care for your pets. At first glance this sounds ideal! But there are hidden costs and dangers that you’ll avoid by hiring a professional pet sitter instead.
It’s More Than Just Loving Animals
I sometimes hear that professional pet sitters should do it because they love animals and not worry about the money. As a pre-requisite, all pet care providers should love animals! But pet sitting is like any other profession where people develop skills and experience because they love something enough they want to spend their time making a living doing it. You wouldn’t expect your hairdresser to cut hair only for the love of a good blowout, or your mechanic to have a garage simply for the love of working on cars. Every professional loves what they do, and so much so that they develop professional-level skills to offer at competitive prices.
There is no doubt your friend loves your dog as much as you do! Or that your mom refers to your pup as her “grand-dog”. But when the only experience your sitter has is a love of animals, there is no guarantee that they will be able to prevent or handle an emergency, provide care in the way your pets need, or that your pets will be their first priority.
And the problem is, you shouldn’t expect these guarantees because you aren’t paying them and they aren’t providing a professional service. It’s not their first priority, they likely aren’t trained in pet first aid and emergencies, and since they are doing you a favor they may come when it’s convenient for them, not when your pet needs it. In fact, you may have even told this caretaker it’s ok to be lax about visits because you’re asking them to volunteer and you want to make it easier on them. But is that what’s best for your pet?
Paid But Not Professional
There’s another group of pet sitters to cover here as well, as these are people who charge money for their services but are not professionals. These folks are often found on pet sitting apps like Rover, through Craigslist or Facebook ads, or are your friends/family/neighbor but they charge for their services instead of doing it for free. And while they charge for their services, they often still do not have professional experience or education in animal care/health/behavior. They also tend to offer their services at much lower rates than professional sitters, which not only should be an indication that their services may not be as valuable, but also devalues the pet sitting profession overall.
Think about it this way – if you needed new brakes for your car, would you ask your neighbor (who is not a trained professional mechanic but really loves cars!) to do it for you because they would only charge you half as much? What about your brother-in-law who has a workbench in their garage and likes to build things – would you ask them to build your house because you don’t want to pay for a professional licensed contractor? Would you ask your friend’s kid to help you with financial planning because they love doing their own taxes? These might all sound a bit ridiculous but when you hire someone who hasn’t completed professional training or education for pet care, you’re accepting the same risks.
Emergencies Happen
No one wants to think about their pet having an emergency, but professional pet sitters not only think about them but plan for them and know how to manage them appropriately. They also know how to spot one and keep it from getting worse. As a pet parent, foster parent, shelter volunteer, vet tech, and professional pet sitter, I have seen my fair share of animal emergencies. They are stressful and scary for everyone, but many of them were thankfully averted by knowing the signs of illness and injury, having a plan in place, and being able to use the same language as the veterinary professionals treating the pet.
For example, if your dog was experiencing bloat, would your neighbor know the signs and also know that this is a life-threatening condition that needs immediate attention? If your cat had not eaten for several meals, would your friend know that they are at risk of dehydration and hepatic lipidosis, both critical conditions to treat? If your pet has diabetes, does your niece understand how to give insulin shots properly or the signs of a diabetic emergency?
And most importantly, does your pet sitter have an obligation to provide advanced care in these situations or take your pet to an emergency facility, or have the ability to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can’t be reached?
Clear Boundaries and Expectations
That last question brings up a critical part of hiring a professional sitter – the contract. Your agreement with your neighbor, friend, or person-who-loves-animals online is essentially a handshake deal and likely does not outline important details or specifics.
A professional pet sitter on the other hand, will have taken the time to create a legally binding agreement with you that clearly outlines everything including pricing, limitations and boundaries of services, legal recourse, vaccination requirements, communication expectations, and more.
They will also be fully insured and bonded in anticipation of any unexpected damages or injuries. There will be clear identification of who is responsible for the cost of unforeseen supply needs or vet bills, how they will provide care in an emergency, and will be sure to get all your vet information ahead of time including a release for care to take with them to the clinic.
In addition to this, professional pet sitters recognize the importance of being professional and will also have a website with transparent pricing and services, will use pet sitting software to keep track of their clients and provide updates during visits, and won’t back out on you last minute if something better comes up!
The Cost of Professional Pet Sitting
I sometimes hear that pet sitting doesn’t cost that much for the sitter, which for a professional sitter is just not true. Like any small (or large) business, there are many behind-the-scenes expenses the business incurs. For pet sitters, some standard costs (which add up quickly!) include:
- Liability insurance
- Website
- Client management software
- Advertising
- Business phone line
- Supplies such as treats, leashes, blankets, crates, etc.
- Vehicle gas and maintenance
- Continuing education/professional development
- Legal consultation
- Business fees/licensing/taxes
- Health insurance
- CPR/first aid certification
There is also a misconception that pet sitting is a passive activity, or that money earned from pet sitting is passive income. Professional pet sitters make your pet their first priority for the entire time they are providing care. They provide expert-level care for your pets that enriches their lives and eases the stress of being away from their humans. For professionals, there is nothing passive about being trusted with the care of your animals.
Pet sitting is unfortunately an unregulated field that draws many animal lovers and animal care hobbyists to offer low-cost or even free services for your pets. These prices may be enticing for your budget, but they can be indicative of an inexperienced and non-professional sitter which carries with it inherent risks and potential dangers. While professional pet sitters cost more, you’re paying for their skills, experience, education, and dedicated care services. When you hire a professional pet sitter, you’re working with a sitter who does it because they love animals and they want to offer services with the highest standard of care.
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