References and Reviews

Remember: I will be Submitting a Review Too!

Reviews go both ways!  I will be reviewing you, your home and pet on the various pet sitting sites.  Receiving a Good Review from you Pet Sitter means it will be that much easier next time to get a pet sitters.   Most sitters DO look at reviews and if a review is not good, will likely not apply or decline if an offer is made.

Every pet sitter is unique, but below I will share what I would need.  Please note these points do not need to be made public on your posting if you do not wish to, but they will be part of the interview process. 

I do have enough experience now, to have given many 5 Star Reviews, a few 3 Star Reviews and one 1 Star Review (which saddens me a great deal, but much was learned).   The goal is of course, a 5 Star Review on both sides.  Clarity on the information below is the best way to ensure that will happen!

What do I need to give YOU a Good Review?

Home:

Clean and Uncluttered

A clean home with some space for me to work.  If the home is clean when I get there you will come home to an immaculate home.   If the home is so cluttered that I do not have a place to set up a work station without moving your piles of "stuff" that will be noted in the review so that others who need to do online work will be aware. 

Safety and Security

The basics of a front door that locks and outside lighting is essential.   I have been at a place where the front door cannot/does not lock, except from the inside while I am at home.   So while I can be secure while sleeping, my possessions are not secure when not home.  

It is considered a violation of privacy for you to have cameras that create records without full disclosure of their existence and the areas under surveillance.   This disclosure should take place prior to consenting to the sit. 

Relative Quiet

Pet sitting in the city has its sounds that are to be expected.  However, the building under renovation/construction is something that should be disclosed in advance.   Disclosure of a construction site next door should also be shared in advance so that a decision can be made with this information.  As someone who needs to film during the day, construction noise would make that impossible and could severely impact my work schedule and income, especially for longer sits.  

Good Internet

Good high speed internet is essential for many who work online, such as myself.  If the internet is slow please admit that in advance, as slow internet may impede working speed and deadlines may not get met (such as uploading videos).  I have been at a place where the internet was so slow it would take 6 hours to upload an edited video lesson that was only about 20 minutes.  

Please also double check that you have given me the correct wifi code, and include the network also. 

Sufficient Basic Supplies

I do not travel with the basics such as cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper and laundry detergent and therefore expect there to be enough on hand for the duration of the sit.  Please have sufficient kitty litter for the duration of the stay as picking up a heavy item such as kitty litter is challenging when I am without a car. 

Quirky Note:  Do you have facecloths?   I use one daily and can travel with a supply if need be, but if I know in advance that my luggage does not need to add these, then I can pack accordingly. 

Heating and Cooling

While only relevant in certain climates, please disclose if there is air conditioning available for times when the temperature soars.  And for colder, climates, is the heating good throughout the living areas. If there is the possibility of snow, whose responsibility will it be for shovelling?

Pets

Full Disclosure on Everything Please

Is your Dog Reactive to: other dogs, people walking, bicycles/skateboards, squirrels, rabbits, etc.  And if so, what is your management style.  Does your dog respond to saying no or is your dog used to simply being distracted by  giving treats.   Does you dog pull on the leash?  How much does your dog adhere to a strict regime of meals/walks or is your dog flexible and still happy?

Commands that your Dog Understands and Obeys

Please let me know so that I can maintain your training and not confuse your dog.  If you have no commands to share with me, I would question how well trained is your dog?

Toileting Behaviour and Routine

Please let me know the number of times per day you let the dog out/for a walk, so I can know whether my work schedule makes sense.

Also, if you pet has an unusual behaviour it is good for me to know in advance.  For example, one elderly cat had begun pooping outside the litter box ever since the new baby arrived.  I would have to go on hunts to discover where the smell was coming from.   Another cat, is in competition with another in the household and will randomly pee everywhere, including in my suitcase.   If I had known, I could have kept the door closed. 

Respect of Personal Property

I would want to know in advance; do I need to hide my shoes or they will be stolen and chewed, or my socks stole and hidden away.  Will your pet chew on the computer cords and I need to keep an eye out and pack up every night?

I had a dog destroy a pair of prescription eyeglasses as I was not told of chewing behaviour.   The owner did not take responsibility stating instead I should know that puppies chew things (this was a 2 year old dog). 

Food and Mealtime Behaviour

Does your animal beg for food?  And do you feed any human food to your pet?   Will your animal jump up on the counter or root around through any boxes that have food items?

Medical or Age Related Conditions

Clearly any medical conditions would be disclosed as you would want any sitter to know about signs and use of any medications.  

I am needing to be monitoring for signs of infection or how much food is being consumed by an elderly cat?   I have had a pet owner expect me to bury their cat, as they felt it was that close to death!

What quirks does your pet have? Does your pet snore?  So loudly, that it could impede sleep or work concentration?  If I know in advance, I would not plan to have video recording to do with a pet that needs to be beside me, but will be loudly snoring throughout the day. 

Please remember, that for me, as for many pet sitters, we do work while at your home.  And therefore, the working conditions at your home are part of the deciding factor in whether it will be a good sit for us.   

Honesty is the Best Policy ALWAYS

If I make the decision to pet sit a reactive dog, a dog who snores or a cat who poops outside the litter box, I will not complain in a review about lack of disclosure.  It was my decision.   However, if there are issues with the home or pet, that could have/should have been disclosed, that will be reflected in a review.

Honesty will always get the best reviews and ease of finding sitters.  Even if you think that disclosing a problematic pet behaviour will deter some (and it may) a bad review will be a far greater deterrent to any and all potential and future sitters. 

It is okay that your home or pet is not perfect.  Who has a perfect life? It is just very helpful to know in advance the situation, so that the focus can be on building a bond with your pet, instead of reacting to and managing unpleasant surprises.