Welcome to Pet Sitting San Diego

Yes, I realize that is an odd name for a website, but there is a reason for choosing this particular combination of words.

You see, when a pet owner in San Diego needs to locate a pet service to care for their pets while they are away or on vacation, be it just for a day like dog daycare, a drop-in visit, or an overnight stay, there is a pretty good chance that you will log on to your computer and type in: Pet Sitting San Diego… or maybe San Diego Pet Sitting in order to find a company to handle you and your pet’s needs.

And, I wanted you to find my website, because unlike other sites that may pop up, I do not own my own pet sitting company.

I’m actually an impartial consumer who was once in your shoes and had a bad enough experience looking for and hiring local pet sitters that it motivated me enough to create this site to help protect you.

It was kind of my civic duty to do so.

Now, I am not going to bash any pet sitting business out there, but I will make a solid recommendation of a professional, bonded, and insured pet care service business that you can trust to take care of your dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, or any other type of animal that you consider a part of your family.

In addition to this, I want to educate pet owners and provide knowledge on what exactly to look for in a pet service provider like certifications, licenses, references, and what does it mean to be bonded and insured.

Before I got started in this quest to find a professional pet sitter, I didn’t know about the most essential things that all pet owners should require when hiring a pet sitting service.

No worries though, I will cover all of this at Pet Sitting San Diego. We will look at all the things that a pet owner should be aware of before making that final decision that could very well have a major impact on their loved ones and extended furry family members.

This site will help you hire a San Diego pet sitter that is honest and professional.

Also, the prices pet sitters charge for various services is all over the board. When a pet sit service is scheduled, the pet owner’s pet(s) will usually receive feedings, dog walking, poop scooping, play time, medications for special needs, grooming, and of course affection and love. You can get ripped off easily when hiring out work because most pet owners have no idea how much these services should actually cost. Professional pet sitting is relatively still a new concept to pet owners because previously, it was usually a task that a family member or friend was solicited to do. So, I will also provide you what I personally feel the adequate price range should be for these types of services.

Pet Sitting San Diego Provides Word of Warning

You can not rely on an organization like the Better Business Bureau to vouch for a company.

Most people are not aware of this, but the Better Business Bureau is not any type of official governing body like their name implies and they are actually paid by the businesses they represent! Can you say conflict of interest?

Here is a very eye opening story about the BBB that you might want to check out.

It is also important that you know what organizations a pet sitting company should be in association with, like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, otherwise known as NAPPS or Pet Sitters Associates, LLC., also known as PSA. Their are other organizations as well, like Pet Sitters International or PSI, and more.

Hopefully, after spending a few minutes at my site, Pet Sitting San Diego, you will be able to make an informed decision on who to hire for your pet care needs before becoming their new client and reaping the benefits of having a professional look after your pets.

Contact Pet Sitting San Diego

Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments you may have about our site here at Pet Sitting San Diego.

Tagged with: Pet Sitting San Diego • san diego pet sitters

Filed under: Pet Sitting San Diego

A Pet Sitter is an excellent resource to have available, knowing that your furry friend is looked after by a caring professional. These are folks that devote their lives to tending to animals once the owners are away, sick, or for individuals who have busy lifestyles but want their pets to be maintained on a set routine.

There are numerous good reasons you could use a sitter.  Some boarding kennels won’t consider older pets, they are unable to commit all of their time on just your pet, plus your pet is going to be alone inside a kennel nearly all the time.  Using a sitter isn’t just great for your peace of mind, but it really will reduce the level of stress and anxiety on the animal also.

Your pet’s routine won’t be interrupted and any medications are going to be strictly kept on time, much like your feeding routines. Also, since your furry friend won’t be put into kennels with a lot of other animals, there’s significantly less possibility of obtaining any diseases.

A professional will set up a consultation prior to taking the job in order to meet both you and your  family pet.  At this point, you’ll be able to discuss whatever they charge, if he or she is insured and bonded, how long will the visits last, and also what jobs you would like them to do.  Additionally, any special abilities in working with exotic pets and reptiles if necessary.

Some sitters provide additional services, including opening and shutting of curtains, switching on/off lights, providing water to your house plants and collecting your mail.  In case you have a pet that can’t be left alone, it is possible to hire sitters to remain over night with your pet, in their own environment.  Also, this greatly helps at trying to keep your home look lived in and safe and sound while you’re away.

Additionally, you will not feel the need to impose on any friends or family.  Rather you’ll be stress-free, knowing  that your pet is in the excellent safe hands of your caring and trustworthy pet sitter, and having fun themselves at the same time.

Tagged with: hire a pet sitter • pet sitters • Pet Sitting San Diego

Filed under: Why Hire A Professional Pet Sitter?

When inquiring about Pet Sitting in San Diego or anywhere for that matter, there are a couple very important things that every pet owner should ensure a pet sitter has.  I’m going to quick give a rundown of 3 items actually, but only 2 of the 3 are absolutely vital.

Insurance

Liability insurance covers property damage and injuries to pets or people while a client’s home and  animals are in a pet sitters care (known officially as “care, custody, and control”).  This is  by far the most important item a professional pet sitter must have.  If a pet sitter loses keys,  knocks over an expensive vase in the entry hall, or the dog bites someone, these are the types of things  that are covered under insurance.  Unfortunately accidents do happen, so its always good to know that these  incidents will be covered.

Bonding

Bonding refers to a security (dishonesty) bond.  This protects the pet owner’s home from any unfortunate  theft that may occur.  If a pet sitter has employees, this is a must in my book.  Personally, it gives me  peace of mind if a pet sitter or pet sitting company is bonded.  A pet sitter who damages or steals the  client’s property must be charged and convicted of the crime before the bond can “respond.”  Some pet  sitters are not bonded, but that does not mean that a client is not protected because in lieu of a bond,  some pet sitters insurances carry what is called a ‘Special Personal-Property Endorsement’ and this addition  to a pet sitter’s insurance policy is becoming more and more popular.

Licenses

A professional license and a business license are very different, and any individual who employs a pet sitter should be aware of those differences.

-Business License

A business license is really a permit, given by a government organization, that enables a person or organization to operate a business in a specific geographical region.  It may be issued by a city, town, or another entity, and may be given to a pet sitter, a retail outlet, a book shop, et cetera. – not only pet sitters.  This kind of permit doesn’t mean that the individual receiving the permit has any expertise in the business she or he will run.

-Professional License

To be able to operate in certain professions, one will need to take specified training programs after which, they must pass an exam. Passing the exam demonstrates (preferably!) that individuals know their stuff, and it also earns them a permit to operate in that industry.

There are not any professional licensing requirements for pet sitters.

Any individual who would like to start a pet sitting business is capable of doing so without having any formal education, and no licensing exams are required.  Several pet sitters have taken pet related courses such as pet behavior, canine training, first-aid, or business courses.  Several pet sitters take pet sitting business classes given by private firms or industry groups, but courses like this aren’t legal requirements to work a pet sitting business.

So for a lot of pet owners, whenever they see “licensed, bonded and insured” they presume the pet sitter went through some licensing training programs and examining.  Seeing though, for pet sitters, there are no professional licenses, this is certainly not the case. I really don’t feel pet sitters are deliberately attempting to deceive prospective clients by doing this but it could possibly be deceiving for individuals who do not understand there is not a pet sitter license.

I would really like to see far more pet sitters plainly point out they have a “business license” instead of just stating they’re licensed. Possibly that, or simply just leave off the fact that they possess a business license.  For me personally, I really don’t feel it’s essential as many companies that run in a professional fashion get the necessary business licenses along with other permits for their location. And, certainly if a client were to inquire about if a pet sitter carries a business license it is a straightforward yes or no response.

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Filed under: Licensed, Bonded and Insured - A Pet Sitting Requirement?

So here we go…putting the ol’ neck on the line.

My highest recommendation is for a company that serves all of San Diego.  I was referred to this company by a friend of mine who had to find a pet sitting company at the last minute because she had to be go of town for a week due to an emergency.  Now, she uses this company constantly for her pet sitting needs as well as dog walking (yes, they do those too!)

Since I had a negative experience with a pet sitting service previously, I was a little hesitant to employ one again.  The last time, my dog seemed depressed when I returned home and a bit skiddish…not the happy social butterfly she normally was and she remained that way for a couple days.  Also while I was away, trying to get a status from the sitter on how my girl was doing was like pulling teeth.  I would call, text, and email only to be responded to an entire day later with a one or two sentence vague response.  It gave me a very uncomfortable feeling.

After that, I figured I would just try to solicit the help of a neighbor, friend, or family member when I needed a pet sitter again.  Or, pay for her to be boarded at the kennel, which I hate doing to her.  It’s expensive and more importantly, it causes her a great deal of stress (she’ll chew the fur off her front paws or the back of her tail!)

After hearing my friend rave about her pet sitter, I decided to give them a call.  One of the owners came to my home for a free consultation and she instantly made me feel comfortable.  You know when you get that instant vibe about someone, whether it’s good or bad?  Well, this was definitely a good vibe.  She was professional, courteous, well-spoken, instantly affectionate to my dog, and also down to earth at the same time.  We discussed the duties that the pet sitting service covered (like poop scooping the yard, dog walks, mail pickup, watering the plants, taking out the trash, etc.), filled out required paperwork, asked and answered questions, and of course, played with my girl a bit. They had an instant connection as well, which is most important to me. The other important factor was of course the over-night sitting rate, which was very competitive considering the rates of other companies in the area.  I don’t want to state the exact rates, but personally, a good rate for a professional overnight service should be between $45-$60 per night and a possible slight increase if its on a holiday.

Anyway, the pet sitter’s name that I hired is Kelly.  She co-owns a company called Fido’s Forty Winks.   I highly recommend them and I do not give glowing recommendations easily.  They’re bonded, insured, have great rates, and provide package deals.  Most importantly, when your away you receive constant updates (sometimes with photos too!) via text, call, or email and when you return home, your pet(s) act like you were never away.

You can’t go wrong with this company.  Give them a call and they will be more than happy to come out and meet you and your furry loved ones.

Below, you can watch video that I sort of snagged from their website.  I thought it was cute so I thought I would share:

Filed under: Recommended Pet Sitting Company