Evaluating Sitters for Rover
Pet and house sitters can be found under two listings in the yellow pages: Dog and Pet Sitting, and House Sitting.
The Pet Sitters Assn. of Southern California offers a list of members, with addresses and phone numbers. To receive a free copy, send a self-addressed, business-size envelope to PSASC, P.O. Box 5432, Whittier, Calif. 90607-5432, or call (714) 670-2878.
The National Assn. of Pet Sitters suggests that prospective clients ask the following questions when hiring a sitting service:
* Is the pet sitter bonded?
* Is there commercial liability insurance?
* Is the sitter willing to provide references?
* Will the sitter furnish a written description of services and fees?
* Does the pet sitter visit the home beforehand to meet with client and pet?
* Does the pet sitter seem competent and comfortable with the pets?
* Is there a contract outlining the services the pet sitter will provide?
* Is the sitter courteous, interested in you and your pet and well informed?
* Does the pet sitter return inquiries promptly?
* Are there regular office hours?
* Does the pet sitter have a veterinarian on call for emergencies?
* What sort of training has the pet sitter had?
* How does the pet sitting service recruit and screen employees?
* Does the service have an established system for handling customer complaints?
* Does the service check to see that you actually arrive home on time?
* Does the pet sitter provide a rating form for the customer to fill out?
