Excited, eager, and perhaps even a little anxious to have a pet sitter come into your home and care for your beloved pet?

Chances are, the pet sitter is probably a little excited, too.

To ensure you are both completely comfortable with your arrangements, here are a few simple steps to help YOU get ready before your new pet sitter arrives at your home:

Write Down A Detailed List Of Contacts For Your Pet Sitter

Who should your pet sitter contact if they get locked out of the house? Who is your pet’s preferred veterinarian? Who snowplows your driveway in the winter? Who is your utility company in case of a power outage? These are questions that the pet sitter should have answers to before you leave. Create a quick list of emergency contacts, neighbors, and veterinarians to give to your pet sitter for those “just in case” situations.

Write Down A Daily Checklist For Your Pet Sitter

Do you need the pet sitter to give your dog or cat medications every day? Do you want them to water your plants every other day? Should they put out the trash container on Wednesday? Create a “to-do” list that they can easily refer to throughout their stay or visits in your home. This will give BOTH parties peace of mind knowing the job is getting done in accordance with your wishes!

Show The Pet Sitter Where Everything Can Be Found

When your pet sitter arrives, you should provide a quick tour around your home to make sure they know their way around. Show them where the dog and/or cat food, treats, brushes, and toys can be found. Show them where all the dishes and kitchen utensils are located. Show them where the mail and newspapers get delivered and where it goes when it’s brought into your house. Show them how to work the remote on your TV, where the light switches are located, where you keep the vacuum cleaner and cleaning supplies, and so on … You get the point. Better yet, don’t just show them … write it down for them, too!

Set Guidelines On When, And How Often, The Pet Sitter Should Contact You

What constitutes an emergency situation for you? The dog is scared in a thunderstorm? The chlorine levels in the pool are off? The power has been off for more than 24 hours? You decide whether or not and how often you would you like your pet sitter to give you updates on your pet and/or home (unless, of course it’s an emergency situation). Would a simple text or email update suffice? Or would you like to have an occasional phone call from your pet sitter during your time away?

If you are going on vacation, you might not want to be interupted with constant updates. Or, maybe you do. Either way, have this all mapped out before your pet sitter begins caring for your pets and communicate your wishes clearly to them before you leave!

Viola!!!!! Then take a deep breath, kick back, relax and have lots of fun while you’re away from your furry family members. They’ll be waiting for you with “Open Paws” when you return!

If you have any tips to share with our readers, please add your comments below! We’d love to hear what works well for you and your pets …