Our Pet's safety is often taken for granted, but it should be at the top of the list when it comes to planning any out of town trips, or even weekend getaways. Your Pet's safety is priority for any serious pet owner as we all know that our pets are inevitably to become very important members of our family.
Let me please relate to you a story that happened last week.
I was called by a company that does pet sitting service. It seems the owner of the pet sitting service lost, or misplaced the keys to a house she was pet sitting. Needless to say, she needed to get into the house that was locked,(to walk, feed and water the pet she was caring for) and if I (who has a locksmith company) would come and open the house.
Now this might sound simple enough, but one small problem for me. How was I to know she was allowed in that particular house? What if she was an "ex" with an agenda? What if her and her "boyfriend", "husband" or whatever were just staking out the house and wanted in? I know these scenarios may seem absurd, but now a days,thoughts like this run through my head. We as locksmiths have to think liability.
So I asked the appropriate questions;do you live there,do you have ID,do you have permission? As I said,sounds simple to start off with,but this is serious,very serious. As locksmith's we have the ability to "compromise" the security of a house's locks. We really just can't ride around and "break-in" to peoples homes just cause someone says they are pet sitting.
The lady was very gracious, and understanding. She even offered to call the owner to give me permission over the phone. I know,sounds simple,but wait. What if it was just someone, anyone with a cell phone and that house address. I could be given permission to let the pet sitter into the house, but it might still not have been by the owner.
So, how could this whole unfortunate event have been different?
Let's take time to do a little planning, for the sake of the professional pet sitter, next door neighbor kid or the locksmith that gets called on jobs like this, and most of all, the poor pet that is like a family member that just wants to go to the bathroom and eat!
Here's my solution, simple and easy, only requires a few steps,and everyone is protected.
As the home owner/pet owner, get a blank sheet of paper, photo copy your driver's license onto it. Write something on there giving whoever is going to be watching Fido, or fluffy, permission to be given access to your home should keys be lost or stolen. Next step, bring it to a Notary and have them witness your signature then have them emboss it with their seal.
These few steps, as drastic as they may seem will ensure that a locksmith if needed is only letting an authorized person into your property.
Of course we as locksmith's would require proof of identification from the pet sitter, neighbor etc that holds the piece of paper with their name on it from you.
Remember, you don't want to forget about the safety of your furry four-legged companions.
By the way, the above pet in question was "rescued" safe and sound.
