How to Find the Perfect Pet Sitter
If you're anything like me, you want to be confident your dog is in the best hands possible when you're gone. That means finding a pet sitter who is caring, experienced, and offers the ideal environment for your dog. It's all about the comfort that comes with knowing that your baby is being well taken care of (maybe even pampered!) by people you trust. How do you know you've found the perfect pet sitter for your dog? Use the checklist below to find out!
They have experience taking care of dogs like yours. Caring for a puppy is a whole lot different than caring for an elderly dog! Make sure your pet sitter is well-acclimated to working with dogs that are of the same age and temperament as yours is. Does your dog have particular dietary needs? If so, it's important to ensure your pet sitter is experienced in that kind of care. Here at MoPups NC, we're fortunate to have the resources to care for dogs of all ages: from puppies, to adult dogs, to elderly dogs. We treat each dog according to their particular needs, from puppy training to elderly care.
They offer the ideal environment for your pup. Dogs are extremely sensitive to their environment; choosing the right setting for your pet is critical to their health and happiness. Ask potential pet sitters what the conditions in their spaces are like: are the dogs kept in large facilities, or in more intimate settings? Is there enough indoor and outdoor space for the dogs to play in? We're big believers in the value of in-home care, as this allows . us to supervise your dog at all times, including overnight. We aim to create a space that mirrors your dog's actual home-life environment, where they have room to explore, play, and rest as needed. We keep dog beds in each room, ensuring your pups are cozy and comfortable wherever they go. Since our dog sitting is based out of our home, your dog will enjoy around-the-clock human interaction. They'll also have the freedom to be inside or outside at any time to help keep them stimulated and regulate their temperature.
The routine is a good fit for your dog. It's important that your dog stay in a healthy, steady routine while under the care of a pet sitter. Maintaining a consistent routine eases a dog's transition into a new space and helps reduce their stress level. Make sure the sitter is giving your dog regular attention, playtime, feeding, and opportunities for rest. At MoPups NC, our routine centers around playtime, regular feeding (to provide consistency in their diets and reduce upset tummies), and snuggle time. We also offer crate training if parents are working on that with their fur kids :) See below for a sample routine for your dog (this is subject to change depending on weather!):
Wake up
Breakfast
Playtime/Naptime
Lunchtime
Playtime/Naptime
Dinner
Hangout/Chill Time
Bedtime Cookie
Snuggles and Tuck-in Service
They can take care of your fur baby's medical needs. Make sure your pet sitter has the resources and experience to assist with any medical needs your dog might have. If your dog needs to be administered medication or suffers from separation anxiety, that's important to communicate to a potential sitter from the start. Caring for a dog with medical needs isn't easy, and it's critical that your pet sitter has had hands-on experience with that in the past. Here at MoPups NC, we're well-accustomed to caring for dogs with a wide variety of medical issues and needs, including (but not limited to):
Separation anxiety
Arthritis / Tripods
Administered medications
Elderly dog care
They update you on how your pup is doing. When it comes to entrusting your dog with a pet sitter, communication is everything. You want to make sure your pet sitter will be available to take your calls if you need them, and that they'll be responsive to any special requests you might have for your pup. As dog owners ourselves, we understand the anxiety of leaving your fur baby in someone else's care. That's why we provide frequent reports on how your pup is doing, including photos, updates on what your dog has been up to, and immediate notice if any issues arise.
They genuinely love what they do. Above all, find a pet sitter who will shower your pup with care, love, and snuggles. You don't want your sitter to just supervise your dog; they should be actively engaging with them, allowing your fur baby to feel and act like themself! Ask the pet sitter for references so you can hear what others have said about their care. We are massive dog lovers, and even have a pup of our own (Sadie LOVES her furry visitors). We pride ourselves on clients returning to us again and again, and there's nothing we love more than opening our doors to your fur kids. Check out what our clients are saying about us here!
Interested in having your dog come play and stay with us? Read below for next steps on how we can work together:
STEP 1. REACH OUT
Let’s chat! Use our contact form to let us know you’re interested in learning more about our services or toss us a text at (828) 450-8025 and introduce yourself (and your pup)!
STEP 2. MEET & GREET
Open your calendar and let’s find a time to meet. We spend 15-20 minutes in our backyard, getting to know you and your pup, to ensure they are a good fit for our environment and that they will feel safe.
STEP 3. ONBOARDING
Just a quick form or two to fill out in your very own pup portal and we’re done with paperwork!
STEP 4. SCHEDULE
Let the fun begin! You’re ready to book fido’s playdates, sleepovers, and extended vacations. Remember, bookings are required for all services. Last-minute requests are available, but we highly recommend booking in advance.