Be a champion pet sitter

#MiddleburyCT #PetSitter #DogWalker

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m 13 years old and want to make money by being a pet sitter and dog walker. To try it out, my dad suggested that I pet sit for the neighbor who is going on vacation for two weeks. They agreed! I’m really excited. What tips do you have so I do a good job? – Austin in Portland, Maine

DEAR AUSTIN: What a great idea! You can try out pet sitting and see if you like it, and your dad is there to give support and advice. Here are a few tips:

• Bring a notebook and pen with you to every pet sitting visit.
• Talk to the pet owner before they leave. Get all of the pet’s health information. Find out what time they need to be fed and any medications they need to take. Get their veterinarian’s number and any special instructions. Find out where the food, treats and leash are stored. (Write this all in the notebook!)
• Keep to the agreed-upon time to visit and/or walk the pet. It’s important for the pet to stay on a regular schedule, and it builds trust with your customer.
• Do not feed the pet any food or treats not provided (or specified) by the owner.
• Contact the owner if you have additional questions or if an emergency arises.

These are just the basics. As you build your pet-sitting empire, you will encounter different situations and will learn the best ways to respond. Your parents can help, and so can that trusty notebook! During and after every visit, review your notes about the experience and think about how you can do a better job or accomplish certain tasks more effectively.

Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.

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