Time to Make your Pet’s Summer Vacation Plans

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer -- time for local families to finalize summer vacation plans.

That includes scheduling care for the family pet.

Whether planning for a week away or a long weekend getaway, more and more pet parents are choosing pet sitters when they travel. Having the family dog or cat is in a familiar environment, rather than at a kennel, takes some of the worry out of leaving.

But not all pet sitters are created equal, and pet parents should take the time to find a top-notch pet sitting service they can trust, says Traci Simo of Canine Company, a pet care professional who has been working with dogs for more than 25 years.

She encourages pet parents to ask prospective sitters the following questions;

- What’s your training? The kid next door or neighbor down the block may love animals, but probably doesn’t have any training. “You want to leave your pet in the care of someone who understands animal behavior and can identify and address any problems that may arise,” says Simo.

- Are you first aid and CPR certified? What will happen if there’s a health emergency? Will your sitter be able to recognize and address the problem before it’s too late?

- How many times a day will you visit? And how long is each visit? Every pet’s needs are unique, depending upon age, temperament and household routine. If the sitter can’t accommodate your pet, you should look elsewhere.

- Do you have professional backup?What happens if the sitter can’t make it? Does he or she have a professional support system of people qualified to care for pets? If not, who – if anyone – will be coming into your home to take the sitter’s place.

- Are you reachable by phone 24/7? During what hours can the sitter be reached if you have an emergency or your plans change or you have a concern about your pet. Will your call roll into voice mail and sit unanswered for hours?

“We started our Pet Sitting service at the request of clients who wanted someone they could trust with their pets,” says Simo. “All the members of our team are pet care professionals, trained in animal behavior and certified in pet first aid and CPR -- as well as being bonded and insured – and they have the full resources of the company behind them.”

Canine Company pet sitters serve Ridgefield, Redding, Wilton, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport and Weston. For information call 800-818-DOGS (3647) or visit www.caninecompany.com.

About Canine Company

Born of a family's love for dogs, Canine Company provides at-home services to keep pets healthy, safe and happy. The company serves families across New England, New York and New Jersey with the Invisible Fence® brand systems, Manners dog obedience training, and mobile grooming and pet sitting in select markets. Its charitable Canine Gives campaign supports pet rescue groups and donates pet oxygen masks to first responders.

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