Checklist For Your Pet Sitter

When you're planning to go on holiday, most often you'll also need to make arrangements for your pet. Most pets will be very happy to stay at home, in a familiar environment, and be cared for by a pet sitter. The pet sitter can be a neighbour, family member or friend, or a professional from a service found by searching online for "pet sitting Yarraville", for example.

Should you choose to use a professional pet sitter, there are a few things you'll need to do in advance:

Collate all possibly necessary information regarding your pet into a folder to be left on your kitchen bench or dining table - including the following:

The pet's vaccination history
Microchip details
Tattoo details
Local council registration number
Vet contact details
Clear and recent photograph of the pet
Emergency after-hours vet or animal hospital contact details

Advise the sitter of the following:

What are the pet's daily routines?
Does the pet have any existing medical issues? For example, skin allergies, diabetes, digestive issues?
What is the pet's diet? Are there any special instructions or special dietary requirements?
What are your pet's favourite treats or toys? Where are they kept?
Does your pet have any phobias, sensitivities, or anxieties?
Does your pet have any quirks?
Where are the pet's favourite hiding places?
Are there any rooms or areas that are out of bounds to your pet?

Stock up on food and other supplies and leave these in an easy to see place for the sitter to locate:

Food, including treats
Bowls for both food and fresh water
Toys
Walking leads and harnesses
Ensure ID tags are up to date
Medications, if required, as well as dosing and delivery tools
Grooming tools
Bedding - make sure it is clean
Toilet requirements - including scoops, litter, etc
Cleaning equipment, "just in case"
Pet carrier or seat belt "just in case"

Take the following precautionary safety measures to ensure your pet's wellbeing before you leave on your vacation:

Pick up, block access to, or dispose of anything that may be hazardous to your pet in your absence, for example: plastic bags; sharps; poisons (weed killer, rodent baits; snail baits; paints or thinners; fertilizers, cleaning products; medicines of any kind).
Repair holes in fences or unsecured gates
Block any escape routes from your yard
Ensure doors to rooms or sheds that could be dangerous to your pet in any way are closed

Finally, prepare your pet for you to be going away:

Take an up to date picture of your pet
Ensure collars and tags are in good condition and in place
Make introductions yourself between the sitter and the pet
Give your pet lots of love and reassurance before you leave
Leave an item of your (unwashed) clothing for them to snuggle or sleep on - the smell will be reassuring to the pet.

With a little forethought and preparation, your pet will be happy and relaxed in your absence. Providing you find a great sitter (ask your vet or search online for a local service, like "pet sitting Yarraville") and prepare well, you can be assured that your pet is in fantastic hands.