A Day In The Life Of A Pet Sitter
When someone says “I’m a pet sitter!” what is the first thing you picture? It is probably a picture of playing with puppies and kittens all day. Well, that is part of it. It is not all play and fun, although I will say this is the most rewarding occupation I have ever had and now I cannot think of doing anything else.
Early to Rise
One of the first things as a pet sitter is we start our days bright and early, sometimes even before 6am, just to make it to Fido in time for his morning walk. As a pet sitter we are up with the sun and making rounds to see dogs and cats while their families are out of town.
Office Time
This may not sound like the most fun or interesting part of the job, but it is a main part. Not only am I a sitter, but our staff includes five other sitters. It is all part of the job to keep schedules, contact clients and keep up with all the paperwork associated with caring for pets in our communities. One of my favorite parts of office time is creating content for our clients, the community and the social media world. I am able to share my knowledge and pet care tips with everyone.
It’s All in the Shoes
This might sound like a funny thing to talk about, but ask anyone who is on their feet all day and it’s all in the shoes. As pet sitters we are walking, sometimes running, but more importantly we are all on our feet. Even as a pet owner, it is a good idea to make sure you have good shoes to walk Spot. They will thank you at the end of their walk.
Daily Walks
A big part of pet sitting is daily walks. At The Pet Lady, we call them mid-day walks, which are what they sound like. We go from Spot to Fido to Fifi to Champ to Bella to give each pet their personalized time with their sitter. These services are typically used by pet parents who work during the day and may not have the time to let their pets out mid-day. Each pup gets their walks, cuddles, and playtime.
Clean the Litter Boxes and Feed the Ferrets
As a pet sitter it is not just about walking and playing with dogs. Each visit with a cat requires scooping the litter box. Yes, there is a lot of poop involved in the job. Cats not only need exercise, but play. Although not all animals require as much play, there is still cleaning cages, refreshing water, and preparing each pet’s meal per owner’s instructions. It does sometimes require more than scooping kibble into a bowl, certain pets require special diets.
Back to Fido
After visiting daily dogs, cats and caged animals, we go back to those pups whose owners are out of town and require multiple visits per day. Back to walk, play and definitely more cuddles for each dog in our care. Most dogs will require a minimum of 3 visits, while cats and most other animals may only need one.
It is no secret that the life of a pet sitter is a busy one! But as I mentioned before, it can be a highly rewarding one. As a pet sitter, we are able to build bonds and form caring relationships with all the pets in our care. I get soooo many doggy kisses and kitty purrs daily, that the love they show us is worth the long days and miles on foot. Every home we walk into we are greeted by happy pets who are excited to see us and happy we have returned!
At The Pet Lady, our staff loves what they do. They give up weekends and holidays to share their love with our clients’ pets. We believe that it is a privilege to be granted the opportunity to care for pets while their owners are away and we would be honored to care for your pet!
If you are going away or have a busy schedule and are in need of a pet sitter, feel free to contact us at 847-802-9534, or send us an email at info@thepetladyltd.com