Once you have made the decision to enlist the services of Home Sweet Home Pet Sitters, you will find you have discovered a new friend for your pet and someone who will be of great help to you. To ensure a successful relationship with your pet sitter, we suggest you follow these simple guidelines:

• Give Us Your Pet's History and Habits
  In order to schedule the visits, Home Sweet Home Pet Sitters will want to know the important routines in your pet's day -- eating, sleeping, walking or playing. Home Sweet Home Pet Sitters will want to know about all the major and minor health problems your pet may have (honesty is important here) and detailed information on any medication as well as your desires in case of emergency. Tell your sitter where favorite toys are kept or, if your dog is a "chewer," where the chew toys are. (Also guard against personal items being chewed while you are away.) Tell your sitter where your pet's favorite hiding places are. This will prevent panic by the sitter looking for your pet. Your pet sitter needs to know of any unusual habits your pet may have (such as changes in bowel movements, eating habits, fears, etc.) Provide some written verification of up to date vaccinations for your pet (tags on collars are good). Provide identification tags on all pets, including cats.

• Plan Ahead
  Call to make your pet sitting reservations as early as possible -- especially for holiday times. If you don't have an extra key to your house, you will need to have one or two made for Home Sweet Home Pet Sitters before you go away (make sure you try it out first). Buy extra food, litter and supplies for when you will be away and in the event you may stay away longer than you had anticipated. If your dog is not used to walking on a leash, you should practice with him before leaving. Be sure your dog's collar fits properly for walking and has an identification tag.

• Prepare Your Home Before You Leave
  Clean out food from your refrigerator that may spoil when you are gone and don't leave dirty dishes in the sink that could attract pests and interfere with the sitter's work. Leave some piece of clothing that you have recently worn near where your pet sleeps to "remind"; him or her of you. Leave your vet's phone number in case of emergency. Move valuables away from windows. Leave the right sized food and water bowls out for your pet's use and clean the bowls out before you leave. Put away bikes, outdoor toys and lawn furniture as they can be easily stolen. Leave everything needed for the care of your pet in one general area so the sitter doesn't have to search for leashes, food cans, and especially medicine. If the sitter will be visiting in the evenings, provide a timer light in the house so the sitter won't have to walk into a dark house. It will be friendlier for your pet as well. Mow your grass and arrange for a neighbor to shovel snow. If you live in an area that has extreme winter weather, arrange for a neighbor to have a key to your home in case of emergency and in the event that the sitter is unable to make a visit. Be sure the sitter has the name and number of your neighbor. Inform neighbors who may be looking out for your property that a pet sitter will be making visits to your home.

• Communication is Important
  Get the telephone number of the place(s) where you will be staying while away so that you can leave it with your pet sitter for emergencies. If you find you will be returning earlier or later than expected, call to inform your pet sitter as soon as you know. Remember to check the time difference if you call the sitter with some new instructions after you leave. Please be considerate. Call during office hours unless it's an emergency. Let the sitter know if there are any rooms that are "off limits" for pets and sitters. If other people might also be checking on your pet or house, let them and the sitter know who is responsible for what and when they may be in the house (and let them exchange telephone numbers). Leave a list of numbers that may be helpful to a sitter in any emergency: vet, electrician, plumber, maid service, yard or pool maintenance, etc. Tell your sitter where you keep items like the vacuum cleaner, mop, broom, dustpan, trash bags, etc. in case of spills. Make sure the sitter knows the location of your fuse box or circuit breaker and where to find new fuses.

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