How do you find a good Pet Sitters - RV-Dreams Community Forum

ersanta · RV-Dreams Family Member

How do you find a good Pet Sitters

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've had my own pet sitting business since 2001, & here are some things I can recommend. Check www.petsit.com. Click on the "Locate a pet sitter" button, enter the zip code where you are and a list of pet sitters for that zip code will be displayed. This website is Pet Sitters International, a member organization for pet sitters. For the most part, sitters listed on this site are in business, not just somebody who occasionally takes care of pets on the weekend for extra money. Also, most of these sitters will be bonded & insured. I'd interview a few sitters & check references. Some of these sitters may care for pets in their own home, or they could come to your RV a few times each day to feed, play with & walk your dog.
Another idea is to call local vets & ask for a referral to a good sitter or to a boarding kennel/doggie day care that meets your needs.
Local dog groomers also often are familiar with the good sitters or kennels in the area.
I hope this helps!

Cindy T

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

It's a tough decision. We've only had to leave ours once, for a week We were able to find a friend that was willing to keep the dog and we boarded the cat, since she doesn't like people anyway.

3 weeks is another story though. Ever think of driving to the west coast?

Seriously, if you're going to be in one place long enough, maybe you can get to meet another dog lover and offer them what the cost would be to board. Or put an ad on the bulletin board at the campground. I don't know if you've looked into boarding cost yet, but it's not cheap. It cost us almost $150 for a week (Tucson).

Some retired couple on fixed income might be interested in picking up $5-600 for simply minding a dog.

Good luck

ersanta · RV-Dreams Family Member

Luvglass wrote:

It's a tough decision. We've only had to leave ours once, for a week We were able to find a friend that was willing to keep the dog and we boarded the cat, since she doesn't like people anyway.
3 weeks is another story though. Ever think of driving to the west coast?

Seriously, if you're going to be in one place long enough, maybe you can get to meet another dog lover and offer them what the cost would be to board. Or put an ad on the bulletin board at the campground. I don't know if you've looked into boarding cost yet, but it's not cheap. It cost us almost $150 for a week (Tucson).

Some retired couple on fixed income might be interested in picking up $5-600 for simply minding a dog.

Thanks for the advise, but leaving the west coast in February on an around the USA excursion, would not make it feasible to return to west coast for those 3 weeks. Your other suggestions are a possibility or a change in travel plans might be in order. Thank you for your suggestions!

Santa Nellie

ramblemutt · RV-Dreams Community Member

Cindy T wrote:

I've had my own pet sitting business since 2001, & here are some things I can recommend. Check www.petsit.com. Click on the "Locate a pet sitter" button, enter the zip code where you are and a list of pet sitters for that zip code will be displayed. This website is Pet Sitters International, a member organization for pet sitters. For the most part, sitters listed on this site are in business, not just somebody who occasionally takes care of pets on the weekend for extra money. Also, most of these sitters will be bonded & insured. I'd interview a few sitters & check references. Some of these sitters may care for pets in their own home, or they could come to your RV a few times each day to feed, play with & walk your dog.
Another idea is to call local vets & ask for a referral to a good sitter or to a boarding kennel/doggie day care that meets your needs.
Local dog groomers also often are familiar with the good sitters or kennels in the area.
I hope this helps!

Cindy T

I will second this advice. My company has been a member of PSI (Pet Sitters International) since 1991. Most members are at least knowledgable to the extent that they can steer you in the right direction if they themselves cannot help you;

Footsiebear · RV-Dreams Family Member

Anytime we've had to leave the "kids" we board them at the vet. Whenever we get to a new area, I check with the campground management and permanent campers to get vet recommendations. Then I go to the vet and talk to everyone, the office staff, technicians and even the docs. I travel with a copy of their medical records just like I do our own so I approach finding a local vet for them (just in case) just like I would finding a local doctor for either one of us.

This works for us because not only is our female doberman on daily medication, but suffers from severe seperation anxiety and after 2 or 3 days without us, develops diarrhea from stress. Having her at a vet means she can be treated immediately.

-- Edited by Footsiebear on Wednesday 2nd of December 2009 05:16:13 AM