How many times have you had to take your cat for a walk, only to be chased by her in the opposite direction? Or how about the time your dog ate one of grandma’s favorite candies and you thought she was going to die from the whole thing? Well, life can be hard for our pets too. They don’t always behave like humans and it’s important that we find a trustworthy provider that will love them like they deserve. Here are some tips for choosing a provider for pet care services!
First of all, know what kind of service you need. Some pet care providers will offer basic pet sitting or boarding. Others will offer more specialized services such as emergency care, daycare or grooming. For most dogs and cats, basic pet sitting or boarding is fine to use. In this case, it’s all about convenience. If your cat needs attention at an emergency vet clinic or if you need a dog walker to look after your pets while you’re out of town, it’s best to stay with a simple provider that offers these services. Collies are probably the exception to this rule because of their high energy needs.
Another thing to consider is location and accessibility. Some pet care providers will only offer services in your local area. It might be difficult to travel in search of a good provider if you live across the country or even across town. Others will allow you to travel outside of the area, but don’t cover costs for traveling. For instance, with dog walking services, most providers will only reimburse your costs if you actually have fun with it and go out for a walk when they ask you to.
Also, consider is how reliable the service is. Many pet care providers offer 24/7 vet services or emergency care, just like there are emergency rooms in hospitals or other medical centers. These are very important and they should definitely be a priority when you are choosing a provider. You shouldn’t be able to go to the vet once a week or even once every two weeks, even for small things like paying the bill and asking them questions. In fact, some pet care providers will charge extra for this.
Interview at least four different service offering the same type of pet services as you’d like to have. Ask them about their pricing, customer reviews, and history with the type of dog or cat you’d like to take care of. Again, examine their insurance coverage options closely, and find out what types of situations it covers. For example, will they cover emergency hospital visits as well? Can they handle other problems such as an emergency trip to a veterinarian?
Lastly, check their appearance and behavior. Many pet care providers will offer regular grooming services such as bathing and clipping nails, but these tend to be very expensive if your dog or cat has long hair. Other services may include professional training classes for dogs or cats with behavior problems. These services can be very useful and necessary if your pet needs help with aggression issues, anxiety or some other problem.