As puppy owners, we understand the importance of finding a reliable and caring pet sitter to look after our furry companions when we're away. Pet sitters are crucial in ensuring our pets are well-cared for, loved, and entertained in our absence.
Pet Sitters International has been the world's leading educational organization for professional pet sitters since 1994. They have celebrated Professional Pet Sitters Week since 1995 to promote pet sitting as a career and highlight the work of professional pet sitters. For 2024, Professional Pet Sitters Week is observed March 3-9.
In addition to celebrating for a week, organizers decided there should be a dedicated day to express even further thanks. In 2023, Thank Your Pet Sitter Day was created as a special day for pet parents to express their gratitude for their professional pet sitters and dog walkers. Wednesday, March 6 is this year’s Thank Your Pet Sitter Day, so a celebration is in order!
By expressing gratitude and recognizing the qualities of a good pet sitter, we not only show appreciation for their services but also contribute to building a positive and supportive pet care community. A little gesture of thanks can go a long way in brightening someone's day and fostering a lasting relationship with your pet sitter. Learn what qualities make a great pet sitter, ways to appreciate your pet sitter, and how to prepare your puppy and home for a dog sitter.
Qualities of a Great Pet Sitter Who’s One Paw Above the Rest
When choosing a dog sitter for your puppy, you want to select someone who shares the same values and ideas as you regarding your canine companion. To appreciate a pet sitter means you notice all the good qualities they have. Here are some characteristics of an excellent pet sitter you can look for to personalize your expression of appreciation to them when caring for your pets when you’re away.
Professionalism
From their appearance to their conduct, a good pet sitter maintains a professional demeanor at all times. They respect your home and privacy while providing top-notch care for your pet. All interactions with them are consistent, pleasant, and professional.
Reliability
A good pet sitter is dependable and trustworthy. They arrive on time, follow instructions, and communicate effectively with pet owners. If they have to cancel, they have a backup plan in place that has been communicated to you beforehand.
Experience and knowledge
Look for a pet sitter who has experience caring for animals, particularly those with similar needs as your own pet. Knowledge of basic pet care, first aid for dogs, and behavior is invaluable. If they have never sat for a breed like yours before, they will show an effort to familiarize themselves with your breed, ready for successful interactions.
Compassion and patience
Pets thrive on love and attention, so it's essential to choose a pet sitter who genuinely cares for animals. Patience is key when dealing with different temperaments and behaviors. Having compassion and patience are excellent (and necessary) qualities to have when entrusting your furbaby to someone when you cannot be with them. You’ll rest assured knowing your pet sitter loves them like their own.
Consistency
A high-quality dog sitter will read your rules and enforce them, even if your dog has naughty behavior or tests the boundaries. You can rely on your pet sitter to keep the rules of your home consistent despite you not being there. In addition, you may have a specific training program you’ve been working on and don’t want to lose your progress. A competent pet sitter will keep the schedule zinging along with little to no interruptions in consistency.
Attention to detail
A good pet sitter pays close attention to your pet's needs, habits, and potential health issues. They notice changes in behavior or appetite and respond accordingly. They also know which questions to ask to provide more detail to deliver exactly what you and your pet need when you are gone.
Communication skills
Effective communication is essential for a successful pet-sitting experience. A good pet sitter keeps you updated with regular updates, photos, and any concerns that arise during their time with your pet as agreed upon in their contract. Communication before, during, and after a pet-sitting experience can reduce misunderstandings and hurt feelings, so be sure both sides share their expectations, guidelines, and concerns constructively.
Flexibility
Pets' schedules and needs can vary, so a good pet sitter is flexible and adaptable. They're willing to accommodate last-minute changes or special requests to ensure your pet's well-being if their schedule allows it.
How to Show Gratitude Toward Your Pet Sitter
Pet sitting is more than just someone caring for your pet – it involves building a relationship with your pet sitter as your partner in your pet’s well-being. Thank your pet sitter by expressing your gratitude in these various ways. Choose the one that will be the most meaningful and appropriate with your sitter’s interests and circumstances in mind for a most thoughtful, appreciated gift.
Do something special for their pets
Pet sitters spend so much time, effort, and energy on other people’s pets to ensure they’re loved when you are away. Why not return the favor in a small way and show appreciation for your pet sitter’s pets? First, ask questions about their animals, and watch them light up when they’re speaking about their pets. Look for clues to help guide you in deciding what to give. A gift card to a store or online company like Chewy.com will allow them to pick out something special. All puppies love homemade dog treats made with pet-safe ingredients, especially seasonal ones or treats in fun pet-related shapes or molds. For that personal touch, give a bandana or blanket with their pet’s name embroidered on it.
A personalized thank you note
In the age of communicating via digital devices, we often forget that a personalized, hand-written thank you note can really go a long way and add a special touch to your gesture. Express your appreciation for the attention to detail, care, and love they provided to your pet during your absence. Mention specific instances or behaviors that demonstrate their exceptional service.
Write a glowing review
If you have a great experience with your dog sitter, consider shouting it from the rooftops! And by rooftops, we mean making some “good noise” on social media sites and other platforms that host reviews. When you take the time to write a review, you strengthen the pet sitter’s credibility and help others make an informed decision about who will care for their furbabies when they’re away. Your testimonial can help attract new clients and reinforce the pet sitter's reputation for excellence.
Give referrals to local friends and family
Word-of-mouth is also invaluable to a pet sitter’s business. If you have a great experience, then you should go beyond a written review and start telling friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers with pets about your dog sitter. It’s also a great conversation starter at the dog park!
Be a reference for them
If you were impressed with the pet sitter's professionalism and care, offer to serve as a reference for future clients. Your recommendation can help them expand their clientele and grow their business, and they know you will give an honest review if trust has been established.
Leave them a tip
While not required, a monetary tip is a tangible way to show appreciation for exceptional service. Consider providing a bonus as a token of thanks for their dedication and care, especially during a holiday or going above and beyond. Depending on their contract stipulations, pay them in their preferred manner so they can have easy access to your gift.
Gift cards are much appreciated
Gift cards are an excellent way of thanking your dog sitter! There are so many places you can choose to purchase a gift card from, whether it’s a physical card or an electronic card delivered directly to their emails. Consider the most thoughtful type of gift card to suit your dog sitter. Pet sitters drive from home to home, checking on clients’ pets in their vehicles. Purchasing a gas card helps them go the extra mile…literally. Give gift cards to their favorite restaurants, whether it be a sit-down date night or a fast food place. A food delivery service will give them a chance to grab dinner on a busy night. If you know they walk pets several times a day, a gift card to a spa or massage can help their bodies recover while lifting their spirits. You can always choose a VISA gift card or similar so they can have a choice in how and where they’d like to spend their gift.
@magpieandthorn #dogsoftiktok #dogtok #dogtoy #puppylove #giftbasket #doggifts #giftshop ♬ My Cute Puppy - WavebeatsMusic
Put together a gift basket
Make a thoughtful gift basket filled with goodies for both your pet sitter and their pets if they have any. Include items like gourmet treats, toys, a cozy blanket, or a gift card. Personalize the basket by paying attention to those little details they tell you about themselves or what they share on their pet-sitting business or profile. They’ll be touched that you took the time to create a basket with thoughtful, hand-picked items. Don’t forget a note expressing your gratitude!
Leave treats for the pet sitter
When out and about visiting clients, pet sitters can forget to eat or be crunched on time to stop and eat a proper meal. They also may walk your dog no matter what the weather depending on their services. It’s a great idea to leave some of their favorite snacks and bottled drinks they can grab. Always provide fresh water, especially on hot days as a nice gesture. For a more behind-the-scenes look, check out our interview of a day in the life of a professional dog walker to get a sense of what the job entails.
@itskevinliu everyone does their guides differently 🐶 #roversitter #roverpetsitting #petsitter #wagwalker #wagwalking #dogwalker #trustedhousesitters #smallbusiness #businesstips #sidehustle #asianboy #petsoftiktok #dogsoftiktok #catsoftiktok #petcare #dogsitter #doglover #housesitting #dogmom #catmom #howmuchimake #sidejob ♬ original sound - Kevin Liu
Be an easy client
Every person leaving their pets with someone, especially a stranger, expects professionalism, competence, and good communication skills. However, this can be a two-way street. Pet sitters need people to be good clients to form a relationship with you and your pets.
Here are some things you can do to be a great pet-sitting client:
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Read their contract: Don’t assume anything without reading a pet-sitting contract. Know which rules they must abide by if they work for a third-party service provider. When you read the contract, you show that you value their guidelines and their time. Always honor what’s in their contract, even if you make a mistake.
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Communicate: Pet sitters want you to articulate anything to make your dog’s experience the best it possibly can. Be very clear about your expectations along with the exact services your pet sitter provides. This will avoid conflict and misunderstandings regarding both pet-related instances and common household tasks.
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Be organized with important information: It’s a great idea to have an information sheet or a labeled folder displayed in a prominent place containing as much information about your pet as possible. Include any medications they are on, how to administer them, personality quirks, feeding habits, daily schedule, rules such as “no dog on the furniture,” and most importantly, your preferred veterinarian and emergency veterinarian’s information including printed directions for how to get there. This allows your pet sitter to have the most thorough information about your pet to give them the best care possible.
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Get your home ready: When you’re packing for your trip, make sure your home is ready for your pet sitter so they can focus on the job. If you wonder how to prepare your home for a pet sitter, focus on aspects that will make your pet sitter’s job as easy as possible. Put all pet-related items in an easy-to-find location. Give a tour of your home to point out any rules you may have about certain areas and where to find items to help care for your pet. Tidy up so shoes, food, trash, or other tempting objects aren’t left out for your dog to find if they are bored.
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Train and socialize your dog: While this cannot be done overnight, the more you train and socialize your dog from an early age, the better experience your dog will have with a stranger. If you have not given your puppy several opportunities to meet new people, they may be wary and display behaviors that are different from when you are around. See if there is an opportunity for your pet sitter to meet your dog both outside and inside your home so they are familiar with the pet sitter first.
Find a Pet Sitter For a Pawrade Puppy
We’d love to hear how you show your appreciation for your pet sitters! Let us know on our social channels.
Pawrade offers a secure, scam-free pet adoption experience for both first-time and experienced puppy owners alike. If you need a puppy of your own to celebrate Thank Your Pet Sitter Day, browse our happy puppies for sale. All of our dedicated breeders in our exclusive program are pre-screened and hand-selected to allow only the best to work with our potential pawrents.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
