Finding the right dog walker or pet sitter can be dicey business. Your furry, finned and feathered friends are precious, and your home is your sanctuary. You can’t trust just anyone to care for them!
Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the premier provider for professional pet care coverage and it is the only insurance Saving Grace Petcare trusts.
PSI suggests asking 7 standard consumer questions when considering a pet care provider, including:
- Does the pet sitter have the proper business license for your city or state, if required?
- Is the pet sitter insured and bonded?
- Can the pet sitter provide proof of clear criminal history?
- Does the pet sitter provide client references?
- Will the pet sitter use a pet-sitting services agreement or contract?
- Has the pet sitter completed PSI’s Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting Program and/or has he or she participated in pet-care training, such as pet first aid?
- Is the pet sitter a member of a professional and educational association, such as Pet Sitters International?
These are all important, of course, and Saving Grace Petcare can say to YES to all 7, but there are some deeper, just as important, considerations to keep in mind.
For instance:
What kind of support system does the walker have?
At Saving Grace, coverage is rarely an issue with more than 35 staff at any one time, and more during the holiday season. Solo dog walkers and ‘on the fly’ walker apps cannot provide that kind of assurance.
How are your keys and alarms managed?
Every dog and cat’s home is their castle and your security is vital. Saving Grace employs a Key Master and utilizes the cutting-edge security protocols established by the on-line portal called Leashtime. Even if, god forbid, a key is dropped, not even another Saving Grace employee could trace it to your home. Leashtime manages your private information in such a way that only those specifically assigned to your pet can access your details.
What about confidentiality?
We live in an area packed with important people, but none is more important than you! Our staff are trained to avoid any area of your home that is not directly related to their service and to maintain your privacy in all circumstances.
How will you know that your walker cares?
After every service, Saving Grace staff members leave a hand-written note providing a snapshot of your pet’s visit. Some of our clients love the notebook so much, they bring it out for guests to read during parties! Everyone loves them.
You can also tell how much we care with a simple statistic: The average tenure for a professional dog walker is 18 months. The Saving Grace average is 4 years! This longevity speaks to the value of Saving Grace training, structures and protocols, as well as to the quality of people the company attracts.
You can’t manage the rigors of dog walking…and believe me, it’s more complex than you might imagine…if you don’t deeply care for the creatures!
Saving Grace Petcare is proud to be the oldest and most trusted pet care provider in the area.
Learn more about what Saving Grace can do for you here or at (202) 544-WAGS (9247)