Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Do I have to give my pet sitter a key to my house?
2. Is it affordable for me to hire a professional pet sitter?
3. If my friend can do morning visits can you do evening ones?
4. Can I schedule every-other day visits for my pet?

Do I have to give my pet sitter a key to my house?

In most cases, you are not required to give your pet sitter a key.  However, not providing a key can actually cause delays in your pets' care.  Members of OPSA have reported the following keyless problems:

Keyless Entry "Keypads/Codes":

• Do not function in a blackout
• Have been known to malfunction
• Are not as secure as a completely locked house

Garage Door Openers:

• Occasionally openers can open the wrong garage and can put contents within at risk (Including pets, if pets are kept in the garage.)
• Have been known to malfunction
• As with exterior doors, the interior door between house and garage should remain locked for security (Without a key, this door has to remain unlocked, which increases security risks.)
• Batteries need to be kept fresh and checked each time you leave
• Not as secure as a completely locked house

Hidden Keys:

• Not secure: someone could find your hidden key (A lock box is a better alternative, but still poses some security risks.)
• Often keys are moved to a new hiding spot and the client forgets to inform their pet sitter
• The key needs to be kept dry as it can malfunction if it rusts (Lock smith call is charged to the client in such a case.)

Please consider these reports when opting not to give your pet sitter a key to care for your pets.  As with all services you hire to come into your home, you will want to check their credentials and references. It is not unreasonable for you to ask them if they are commercially insured, if they have references for you to contact and if they have bonded employees.  You can also ask them if the keys are kept in a locked safe when not in use and if the keys are specially coded in case stolen. Professional pet sitters work hard to establish a good reputation for providing reliable, secure, and professional services.  Some pet sitting businesses will not take on keyless assignments.  Each business member has their individual policies, procedures and protocols regarding keys.

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Is it affordable for me to hire a professional pet sitter?

Yes.  Considering all you receive, we believe it is.  If you have multiple pets, pet sitting can actually be more affordable than kenneling.  Would you pay more for a service that comes to your home catering to the needs of your home and pets?  There are advantages to having an in-home service that offers crime deterrent services such as: rotating light and blinds, picking up mail and newspapers, watering plants and rolling the trash down to the curb.  All of this gives your home a lived in appearance while you are gone.  Pet sitters check on homes as well as pets and can report problems such as broken pipes, break-ins or anything suspicious.

Service rates and extra fees should be discussed before services take place.  On average, Portland area pet sitters charge $18 dollars for a half hour visit, though prices and services do vary from business to business.  The number of visits to your home usually depends on how many visits you request.  If you're looking for more, some pet sitters offer overnight services.

Leaving the care of your home and pets to someone who understands what a profound responsibility it is for them to be there makes the fee seem quite small.  It is important to remember that pet sitters are busy and hard working professionals; many who work 365 days a year to provide these services to their clients.  Pet sitters have many business expenses: insurance, registrations and licenses, bonding, printing and office costs, advertising costs, field supplies, phones and other communication devices, taxes and one of the biggest is automobile and fuel costs.

Hiring a devoted professional is a caring investment and provides piece of mind that your pet is well cared in the comfort of your loving home.

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My friend can do the morning visits.  Can you do the evening ones?

Many professional pet sitters will not take assignments that include shared job arrangements.  There are many reasons for this, but the most substantial one is liability. Some of the concerns are as follows:

Liability

• Pet sitting businesses carry insurance, which does not cover your shared helper's participation in the pet sitting duties. The responsibility for the care, custody, and control of your pet is shared which can cause confusion as to who is liable if a problem should arise. (For example: a lost pet, a door left unlocked or open, a dog bite, a break-in, broken or damaged property, lack of quality pet care...etc.)

Reputation

• Pet sitting businesses reputations are built upon the quality in which they provide the services.  The only way professionals can be assured that all the tasks are tended to in the quality standards they offer is for the businesses to be allowed to completely provide these services.

Communication

• Communication between your shared helper and pet sitting business is important but often overlooked.  There needs to be defined instructions as to what each is doing so that the care is provided as specified and of the quality agreed upon.  It is also important that they both communicate daily by written notes or diaries as to the animal's condition, behavior and care. Such duties as medications, feeding and other routine schedules need to be documented so both know what has been done and when. It is important that both pet sitter and shared helper know what warrants a visit to the veterinarian, or your pet could be at risk. 

Being deeply involved in the responsibility in caring for your pets is everything to the pet sitting business.  These professionals are strongly invested in their reputation and often can't afford to risk sharing their duties with another. 

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Can I schedule every other day visits for my pet?

Some pet sitters provide every other day services, though this is not recommended or provided by most professionals.  Often low maintenance pets can maintain fine with minimal assistance, but pet sitting professionals can tell you from experience, not always!  It makes a pet sitter cringe when someone divulges that they leave their pet for days with plenty of food and water.  We cringe because we know what can happen to a pet left unattended.  We understand the need to save money, but this could be a costly decision.  Members have expressed the following concerns with every other day services:

• Pets can get their claws stuck in the carpet.  If they can free themselves, broken claws can bleed and be painful
• Pets can accidentally lock themselves in rooms
• Several illnesses can be life threatening, needing veterinary intervention immediately
• Pets can hang themselves if their collars get caught on something
• Pets can ingest string, toys, pill bottles or other such items
• Pets with diarrhea left for 48 hr. period - no need to get graphic

If you do decide to leave your pet for extended periods, please take precautions to prepare a more safe environment for your pet:

• Close all doors and confine pets to a safe room
• Take off collars or use safe break-away type
• Trim nails/claws
• Pick up things that could be harmful if ingested
• Outdoor yards should have perimeters checked for holes
• Gates to the yard should have locks (Keeps people out and dogs in.)

A professional pet sitter is always concerned for the safety and well being of the animals in their care.  Professionals understand what can happen in that extended time between visits and it causes additional concern for them.  Please make this decision carefully, as it could be a costly one for you and your beloved pet.

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