1. Introduction to Pet Sitting
Everyone loves their furry friends, and pets are delightful and important family members, but there are times when pet owners have to leave their homes for work or travel. During these uncertain times, it is important that the pets don’t have to feel neglected and this is where a perth pet sitter comes in. Instead of sending pets away to a crowded and noisy kennel, communities get together to support the local economy and hire pet sitters. Perth Pet sitters take care of pets in their natural environment and provide more than just companionship. They keep pets safe and secure, stick to daily routines, and can even help in house sitting. All services provided by pet sitters can give peace of mind to pet owners who are away so that they do not constantly worry about their pets and can focus on their work or activities. It’s a win-win situation.
Pet sitting is one of the fastest emerging industries. Pet sitters provide a range of services for pets including walking, feeding, giving medicines, grooming, or simply keeping them company when their families are on holiday or away from home. This allows the owners to leave their pets at ease and at their home while they are away, without engaging them in kennel sitting or boarding facilities. Over many years, pet sitting has built a level of trust with pet owners who feel more comfortable leaving their dog or cat in their own home, along with their dog bowls, cat toys, leashes, and familiar smells. However, choosing to pet sit means dedicating your time and energy to meeting the specific needs of a pet with whom you may not have much experience or time to bond. So pet owners trust pet sitters to take care of their special pets, both while their owners are away and during their day-to-day lives.
2. The Growth of Pet Sitting Services in Perth
As pets play an increasingly important role in Perth’s society and the construction of the family unit, the perception exists of an emotional and psychological well-being boosted by the interaction of families with pets. Apart from the growing number of pets, most of them considered of higher value or a family member, the time spent away from home by families has greatly increased. Due to work demands and informal collective leisure activities, pets are being left alone or without any accommodation from their owners for longer periods of time. As a result, there is a growing concern over the welfare of domestic animals in Perth, given the tension and exhaustion that a sedentary lifestyle without company can produce in animals. The over-stimulation of animal behavior coupled with sedentary time spent inactive is a risk factor that predisposes pets to develop behavioral problems and increased aggressiveness.
As we have seen, the new demands of families require the incorporation of services that facilitate daily life, balance work and family and allow them to pursue their own lifestyle. Elegant solutions are being proposed in the face of these obstacles; ending solitary confinement for cats during the day has become the responsibility of catwalkers and daycare centers for cats, while dogwalkers break the monotony of the canine world. Consequently, a profession is being created, a profession that does not have the necessary legal regulations and therefore exists in the face of the current demand for pet services administrators. The rush to start working shouldn’t separate pet owners from their pets for the whole day. Pet sitting services are responsible for maintaining animal company and dignity throughout the day.
3. Types of Perth Pet Sitters
There are several types of pet sitters in Perth. Pet owners are busy and have many options for pet care while they are away. Some pet owners hire professional pet care services to care for their pets. A second category of pet sitter is a casual pet sitter who may be a family member, friend, or neighbor. There are also pet boarding facilities for pets in the Perth area, though some pets may be less comfortable in a busy kennel environment.
Professional pet sitters typically do not work alone and are part of a team of pet sitters. They usually have regular clients with specific weekday and/or weekend demands. A professional pet sitter is usually licensed and insured. They may be members of a professional organization and have professional contacts for emergencies. In addition to regular pet-sitting services, they also provide special services for particular clients. A professional pet sitter has the supplies to handle regular business. They are business-oriented and cater to a specific neighborhood or area as they need to travel to reach their clients’ homes.
Casual pet sitters are usually neighbors, family, or friends of the pet owner. Pet owners have probably had experience with them in previous years. Usually, those who look after your pets are familiar with your pets. Pets may feel more comfortable at home than in unfamiliar territory. Casual pet sitters are usually available during holiday seasons, special events, long vacations, and emergency situations. Unlike professional pet sitters, casual pet sitters do not run a business. Their services are rarely free even if they are family members or friends. They might ask for food, souvenirs, or payment but do not request a service fee. Casual pet sitters may not be as available and reliable as professional pet sitters or clients with special needs or emergency situations, as they may have jobs and prefer to take vacations during holiday seasons.
3.1. Professional Perth Pet Sitters
Pet sitting, in one form or another, has been around for many years. Now, with both partners in families working, it is more important than ever. People leave for business trips, vacations, or other reasons. In the past, it was not unusual for a friend, relative, or neighbor to take care of pets. Parents needed to send children to school, and relations were generally more involved than they are today. Now, friends may offer to take care of pets, but many do not. They have their own jobs and families. In addition, many people now have to travel for business. They are gone for days or weeks at a time. Throughout all of these years, people have often had puppies and dogs trained for service. These dogs help people with disabilities. Many people have elderly relatives. Since there are special requirements for service dogs, people may professionally train a dog and then match it with a person in need. While this part of the pet sitting industry has been around for a long time, other aspects have recently grown in popularity.
An increasing number of people are choosing to have pets. For many of these people, pets are part of the family, and they need special care and attention. There is usually a bond between the pet and the caretaker; a second mom or dad. Not only do people need someone to take care of pets when they are gone, they need someone who understands the pet’s needs. Because of this, more people are having customarily trained to become professional pet sitters. Professional pet sitters deliver the service that people want. They presently do a variety of jobs for those who can afford to pay—for example, visits to give food and water, walks, playtime, and companionship.
3.2. Casual Perth Pet Sitters
Because of Perth’s unique lifestyle and climate, with sizzling hot summers and long periods of dry weather, many residents prefer going away during the winter months. Consequently, the demand for casual pet sitters is greater around that time of year. Pet sitters are also in demand during school holidays. Casual pet sitters come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are young adults earning extra money while at university or working casual jobs; some are older retirees who are neither fit nor healthy enough to handle large dogs for long periods; while others are people who simply adore animals but are unable to have their own due to rental restrictions or work commitments. Casual pet sitters usually have other jobs, but offer their services to pet owners whenever they have free time. They can be found either directly advertising their services, or through groups or sites.
Most casual pet sitters work locally and will only spend a day looking after your pets in your home (going home at night), or pop in during the day. Some sitters offer the convenience of pet sitting overnight while others provide in-home boarding because they have met your dog. Unlike professional pet sitters who usually have certain stipulations and procedures to follow, casual pet sitters do not. For example, some casual pet sitters may not have parking available and therefore may ask you to drop off your pets. In certain circumstances, they may also ask for you to supply your pet’s food. Casual pet sitters often have a backyard or garden, where they can enclose small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and rats when they are not being played with. The degree of service they provide may vary from sitter to sitter, so don’t forget to ask.
3.3. Pet Boarding Facilities
There is a third arrangement when a pet cannot be cared for by either family or friends during their owners’ absences. In many cases, such as when traveling, pet owners may need longer-term support for their furry family members. Australia is home to many magnificent pet boarding facilities with established businesses in Perth’s area, some catering specifically to dogs and others to cats, small mammals, birds and reptiles, and some facilities accommodating more than one species. Pet boarding facilities specializing in dog boarding or cat boarding offer short- or long-term care for various numbers of days or weeks. They may care for pets while their owners are on vacation or traveling for work or, for a variety of reasons, while they are away from home for an extended period without being able to care for them. Many boarding kennels and catteries provide a range of services and amenities, from small to luxury accommodations, yearly vaccinations, special diets, socialization, playtime, and training lessons, both private and group, as well as grooming services. Some facilities specialize in caring only for animals with special needs, such as senior pets or those needing a medication administered several times a day or specific chewing prevention, such as wearing a cone-style collar, while their owners are away. Other facilities combine both pet care services and pet training. Pet boarding and pet daycare businesses that board dogs or cats or both types of animals may also have staff trained and equipped to administer medications, including injections.
4. Benefits of Hiring a Pet Sitter
The daily lifestyles of many pet owners can be quite busy, often requiring time away from home and their pet. Travel for business, vacations, or even long work hours can pose a problem for pet owners as pets’ everyday lives are disrupted by the absence of their owner. Pet Sitters provide you with peace of mind that your pet’s routine stays intact while you are away. Pet Sitting can include short or long visits to your home, pet boarding or daycare in the Pet Sitter’s home, and even Dog Walking services, which provide daily exercise for your pet and encourage a similar daily routine that they are used to.
In addition to having someone care for your pet while you are away, hiring a Professional Pet Sitter can help enrich your pet’s life. Pet Sitters notice learning and behavioral changes in your pet’s daily routine. Pets get bored and have a lot of energy, and an experienced Pet Sitter can provide new activities to stimulate your pet. For some pets, boredom can lead to destructive behavior within the home. A pet’s normal behaviors within its environment are also recognized by Professional Pet Sitters. Many Professional Pet Sitters have backgrounds in animal care and have experienced and trained for various pet problems. If you travel or work long hours often, consider Pet Boarding. Pets stay in the Pet Sitter’s home and are not isolated by themselves for long periods of time. This is a great option for kittens, puppies, and pets requiring special attention. It is also beneficial for socially active pets who love to play. Socializing together with loads of playtime alleviates loneliness and boredom.
4.1. Convenience for Pet Owners
One of the main benefits of hiring pet sitters in Perth is the convenience it offers pet owners. There are all sorts of reasons pet owners may need the help of pet sitters; whether it is because they are busy with work or family commitments, or going away on holiday. Pet ownership is a large commitment, and while it is often fun, it requires the owner to dedicate a lot of time to their cat or dog. Then there are times when you can’t share your time with Fido or Felix. What do you do in those situations? More than likely, you will choose the services of a pet sitter. Nowadays, everyone is very busy with work and social activities, and having a pet requires juggling commitments. Socializing, feeding, walking, and grooming dogs and cats is time consuming. You need a pet sitter to help you when time does not allow you to care for your pets.
Unlike with boarding facilities or kennels, pet owners get the benefit of not having to transport their pets to and from these places. They also get the added benefit of knowing their pets are being looked after in the comfort of their own home. Pet sitting services for cats and dogs include daily walks, overnight care, drop-in visits, pet taxis, poop scooping, boarding, walking, feeding, pet gym services to help overweight animals keep fit, playtime, administering of medications, and grooming. Most pet sitters enjoy looking after household pets in Perth, and feel that pet care is not only a privilege but a very rewarding profession. Pet owners are assured their best friends are being cared for and pampered, and will return home to happy pets. Pet owners can worry less about their furry friend being miserable alone or else, in a strange environment. Leaving pets in the hands of responsible and caring pet sitters allows them to carry on with their own life activities.
4.2. Socialization for Pets
Not only is socialization important for a pet’s mental health, but it is also likely that their behavior will change as they experience new sights, sounds and smells. Dogs, especially, are animals that learn mostly through experience. Their behavior changes from that experience, which shows that exposure and experience is important. All the training in the world cannot compensate for a lack of exposure. Therefore, if there are times in your pet’s life when you would prefer them to go off-site, hiring a pet sitter might be your best option. Small puppies and kittens should visit their pet sitter and the pet sitter’s child-free home a number of times while they are still being socialized and receiving vaccinations before they go with the pet sitter for an extended period of time.
Older animals might also benefit from the socialization they receive during pet-sitting. Pets that have not been neutered might engage in inappropriate mating behavior or marking territory during periods of heightened hormones. Talk to your vet about the correct time to neuter. Adult dogs who have been crated for long periods of time risk becoming too attached to their owners or not being able to adjust when the owners return to work. Allowed to romp with trained, spayed and neutered friends, they will gain additional social skills that will make them better family pets. Pet-sitting creates opportunities for extra experiences and prototypes for scenarios your pet might encounter.
4.3. Peace of Mind
Many pet owners are happy for their furry friends to be at home without them. Most pets are relaxed in their own environment and it is likely they will be much happier snoozing in their own bed than trekking in the car to a strange location. However, unfortunate accidents can happen; a pet may freak out, or illness and other emergencies may arise. Allowing a pet sitter into your home can feel like a big step. How do you know if that person is really going to look after your pets, give them the love and attention they deserve, and take care of your home too? Many people are reluctant to ask family or friends to step in, fearing it may be an inconvenience to them; or perhaps those family or friends have busy lives of their own and can’t help with long-term or last-minute pet care.
Usually, a pet sitting service will offer references and word of mouth, as well as checking on social media pages and relationships, can often confirm this for you. It’s also sensible to set up an arrangement to check on each other’s pets regularly so you can see how they operate in that area. Hiring a registered pet sitter who has experience and an established business can take a lot of the stress away from your holiday preparations. Knowing that your beloved fur-babies will be in capable and caring hands, following their usual routines, and snoozing in their own favorite spots can give you the peace of mind needed to enjoy the trip you’ve worked so hard for. Having a happy pet back at home can alleviate stress, and in return, make for a more enjoyable vacation, knowing that your pet is in good hands and being loved.
5. Responsibilities of Pet Sitters
Pet sitters are responsible for providing the necessities for pets while their owners are away. These responsibilities include a daily care routine, managing any issues that arise during pet sitting, and communicating with the pet owner while they are away.
5.1. Daily Care Routines
Daily routines include feeding, walking, playing with and cleaning up after pets. Pet sitters need to be able and willing to do these to make the pets they are caring for comfortable, happy and healthy. Animals are creatures of habit and what they are used to helps them feel safe. When a pet is left in someone else’s care, their care routine should stay as similar as possible as to what it usually is. If the owner does not want their pet eating anything different, they need to provide their pet sitter with the necessary supplies. Pet sitters must also try to stick to the schedule provided by pet owners, making sure to feed the pets at the same time every day, go for walks at usual times, etc.; although it may be unavoidable sometimes if the pet being looked after requires a longer-than-usual stay, or if the owner does not provide proper meals.
5.2. Emergency Situations
Occasionally, emergencies do arise when a pet is being looked after by a pet sitter. Whether the pet gets sick, escapes or needs to be taken to the vet. To prevent confusion and chaos during an emergency, pet owners may want to come up with an emergency plan with their pet sitter ahead of time. This plan should include what the pet owner wants done in each situation, including what to do if their pet escapes, gets sick or injured, etc. Should something happen, the pet sitter should be clear on what needs to be done and be able to relay important information to the pet owner in case of an emergency. It is important that the owner provides their pet sitter with a phone number to reach them or someone who knows what the person is, in case something happens to the pet.
5.3. Communication with Pet Owners
Depending on how long the owner is away and the comfortability level of each person involved, it can be a good idea to update the pet owner once in a while. These updates help to ease any worry they may have regarding their pet. An update can consist of a quick text or phone call or have pictures of the pet sent to them, showing their pet is doing and staying safe; especially if the owner is gone for a longer period of time.
5.1. Daily Care Routines
Pet sitters understand that your pets are family and deserve the best care possible. This is especially true for pet owners who place their trust in pet sitters so they can fulfill other priorities in their lives. Licensed and insured pet sitters care for your animals in your home and provide daily love, exercise, and companionship, making sure your furry family is safe, happy, and healthy. Professional pet sitters are trained to administer medication, handle special needs pets, and recognize signs of stress or illness. They are also trained in pet first aid and CPR. Security is a major concern for many pet owners. Pet sitters provide yard and home security while watching your pets, too. Pet sitters are the true guardians of your beloved pets, keeping them safe and secure at home while you are away. Having a routine is important to animals. Dogs and cats feel more secure when they know what to expect. When you hire a sitter, you can expect care that’s consistent with the routines for your pets. You can tell your sitter when to walk your dog, when to give them a meal, when to play, and when to snuggle. This is particularly important if pets are accustomed to being with their owners at all times or if they have been abandoned in the past. Pets who are not used to being left alone by their owners may need extra care at first. As your pets become familiar with the pet sitter’s routine, they will become noticeably less anxious when left alone. Some pets become more anxious than others when left behind, but you can decrease their anxiety by leaving them with an animal sitter who will come and care for them.
5.2. Emergency Situations
Our document pertains to the work and focuses on responsibilities of pet sitters. Specifically, this section discusses the pet sitter’s role in emergency situations. While pet sitters have great autonomy, working without direct supervision, they also serve in roles that involve trust as well as potential liability. As such, they need to have appropriate professional skills to be able to handle emergencies. Emergency situations are situations for which pet sitters have a heightened responsibility. Informal pet sitters may or may not have prior knowledge, training, or experience to respond to emergency situations involving the animals and the homes involved. Examples of emergency situations include:
– The pet experiencing a medical emergency or health problem requiring immediate attention from a veterinarian. Medical emergencies may be those that require a veterinary intervention, or they may be situations that cause a pet sitter to question a pet’s health status.
– Being responsible for the care of an animal that is inappropriate in a home environment, indoors or outdoors, if the behavior causes a risk of physical harm or damage to the animal, pet sitter, or another human or nonhuman animal. Inappropriate behaviors may also be those that cause a danger to the pet sitter’s own health or other people who are located in the pet owner’s home, such as passing neighbors.
– Experiencing a dangerous or unforeseen situation related to the care of the pet in question. Rather than being exclusively about the pet itself, this emergency could concern anything that creates a risk of threat to normal pet care services, including malfunctioning equipment or appliances, weather events, or domestic violence.
5.3. Communication with Pet Owners
Pet sitters, the devoted caretakers of Perth’s fur babies, have the important duty of keeping pet owners up to date on their pet’s adventures while being looked after. Pet owners, who are either on holiday or busy with daily obligations, want to know that their beloved pets are safe and enjoying cuddles and play times while they’re away. Pet sitters and owners both have a responsibility to keep in contact about the visitations. Make sure the pet sitter knows the details about how well you want them to keep in touch. Do you want to know every detail of their adventures or are you only interested in knowing that, overall, everything is good? Daytime visits are easy for the pet sitter if you say no contact is needed. But, if caretaking after work or on weekends, the sitter may feel strange about not checking in with you during the day or leaving with any questions. It is best to talk about what you expect this exchange of information will look like before the arrangement has been made.
Many pet owners don’t have to think about what their pet is experiencing day to day while they are gone because they have seen it all in person. The pet is taken to certain locations, plays games a certain way, and eats food a certain way until the owner comes home to see their treasured pet. Pet sitters are there to help care for the pet and do their best to make it feel comfortable and happy while its owner is away. If there are any issues with food, playtime, bathroom time, or not wanting to cuddle, pet sitters need to manage that responsibility, especially if the owner has not made any arrangements for contact.
6. Conclusion
For most of us, our pets are family. They are an integral part of our social cohesion and for many of us, they are dependent on us for their wellbeing. We provide for, care for and nurture them to enjoy life, just as we enjoy life – don’t they deserve to have someone that cares for them to the same level, even when we must be away from them? Pet sitters provide that reward to our beloved pets when we cannot. While owners are away from their pets and providing for them, the services of pet sitters enhances the emotional wellbeing of pets, while providing peace of mind for the owners. As described throughout this essay, the role of pet sitters in Perth reaches beyond companionship and comforting pets whose owners are temporarily absent. Their services help maintain the usual routines in the day-to-day lives of pets, make sure that pets are safe and secure, keep them from suffering loneliness and anxiety, and help ensure that pets can lead happy and fulfilling lives. Furthermore, pet sitters are responsible for the safety and security of the homes we live in and the neighborhoods and communities we share, looking out for situations that seem amiss, and reporting actions that might be considered suspicious. We are truly fortunate to have such a large pool of passionate pet sitters in Perth who set out to provide quality pet care for the many pet owners who need to leave behind their animal family members, developing bonds with both pets and the owners to create a supportive, trusted, and collaborative approach to pet care during times of vacancy.
