Vacation time is here, and if pet owners don’t have family or friends to watch their pets while they’re gone, it can be quite stressful to find a boarding kennel where they feel comfortable leaving their animals. While kennels are plentiful and can range from very basic to lavishly extravagant, changes in the environment can be very upsetting to young, elderly or infirm pets. An alternative is to hire a professional pet sitter to stay at your home or make several trips a day to feed, water and exercise your animals. The advantage for the pets is they’re able to stay at home, surrounded by familiar sights, sounds and smells. The advantage for the owner is not being traumatized by leaving their pets in an unfamiliar place. Nichole Kelland, registered veterinary technician, started pet sitting part time while she worked at a vet clinic, but it has grown to a full time job for her. More people are turning to a pet sitter because a kennel, no matter how nice, is still a kennel with cement floors and lots of strange animals, she said. “For people who have multiple pets, which may include pocket pets, reptiles, birds or horses, hiring a pet-sitter would be less expensive than finding caretakers for all their animals. Many people have only one pet, but that pet is their baby, and they don’t want to put their baby in a kennel,” Kelland said, “and these owners have peace of mind knowing their pet is being cared for in a familiar environment.” A professional pet sitter also can provide home security by picking up the mail and newspaper, opening or closing curtains and turning lights on in the evening to give the home a lived-in look. Houseplants and gardens also can be watered, allowing the sitter extra time with your pets. A love for animals is the foundation of a good pet-sitting business, and vet techs or veterinary students often supplement their income by pet-sitting. They’ll have access to your home, so be sure they have liability insurance coverage or are bonded. Ask for proof of these items and referrals from previous clients. Memberships to professional associations like Pet Sitters International or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters are also good credentials. An initial meeting is always scheduled for the sitter and pets to meet and also decide what other services will be performed. Having a pet sitter is not for all dogs, said Kelland. Some dogs are aggressive to strange people coming into their home. “If I get an odd feeling from the animal during the initial visit, then I’ll do a trial run,” she said. If the rapport with the pets goes well, a walk through of the house is done to show where food, leashes and other items are kept. The pets’ daily routine is discussed as well as the personality of each pet. The sitter needs to know what they like to play with and any habits they can expect. The time and length of each visit is determined in addition to what kind of exercise will be provided in terms of playing and walking. Before departure, a list should be compiled for the sitter with your pets’ feeding schedule, medications and medical histories. It’s helpful to leave leashes, food, treats and medicine in one visible area. Emergency contacts should include the telephone number where you can be reached, your veterinarian’s phone number and address, as well as written permission to obtain emergency treatment for your pet if such a need arises, and the name of a local emergency contact person who would have access to the house in case an emergency would occur with the sitter. The schedule of a pet sitter isn’t one that remains the same from week to week, and a daily planner is crucial to keeping it all straight, Kelland confirmed. The day sometimes begins at 5 a.m. for morning rounds and can take several hours. The cycle repeats two to three times more that day, and it’s a seven-day-a-week job, including holidays. “It can be kind of hectic, and you may only get a one- or two-hour break during your day, especially in the summer when it’s the busiest time,” she said. Overnights with pets can be scheduled, however, these are usually reserved for elder pets or puppies that need to go out during the night. Pet-sitter services also can be used on occasions other than vacations. Working long hours, illness or being incapacitated may make it difficult to care for your animals. A pet sitter can give a dog a potty break, administer medications or stop by for playtime or a walk in the middle of the day. For the busy pet owner, some sitters will transport a pet to the vet or a groomer. The important thing is to find someone who will be reliable and responsible as well as being attentive to your pet. Pets are definitely happier when they’re at home. A pet sitter will give you peace of mind knowing your pet will be wellcared-for and enable them to remain in their own environment while you’re away reducing their stress and yours. See Kelland’s Happier at Home Web site at www.happierpet.com, find a pet sitter by asking your vet or go to: www.petsit.com. Barnosky can be reached via e-mail at petlady@roadrunner.com or by writing The Gazette, 885 W. Liberty St., Medina, 44256.