Pet Sitting ~ Hire a Sole Proprietor or A Team of Sitters?

The age old debate:  To hire a single individual or a team of pet sitters?

I think this debate rings true when hiring any service provider that is coming into your home when you  may not be there.  A lot of people may find comfort in knowing the same person will be providing the service rather than a multitude of people whom you may have not met.

So, what happens when you hire a pet sitting company that has several pet sitters that work for them?  Will you get the same person every time, or will there be several people in and out of your home while you are away?  That's a great question to ask your pet sitter prior to making that hiring decision.  Here is how Play Time Pet Care handles it:

When you call to set up your initial consultation / meet and greet, the sitter that is assigned to you will be determined by who lives closest to you, who is available during your requested dates and depending on the type of pet(s) you have, who has the most experience.  The goal is to set up the meet and greet with THE sitter that will be entering your home, providing your updates and completing the services needed.  We also like to continue having that same sitter work with you on future pet sitting needs.

With that being said, there is a HUGE advantage to working with a pet sitting company that has other pet sitters providing services.  Those advantages are:

• You never have to interview or hire additional pet sitting companies that may have different rates and policies because we will always have you covered.  
• Life happens.  If something were to happen to your dedicated pet sitter which rendered them incapable of caring for  your pets during a time when you are away, they have built in back up.  Your pets still get cared for without interruption. Granted, it may be a different pet sitter coming in to your home, but isn't the piece of mind knowing your pets will always be taken care of better than the stress of possibly having another person in your home?
• All our pet sitters are insured, bonded and background checked.  So, no matter who is in your home, you are protected.
• What if you want to go on vacation the same time your pet sitter wants to go on vacation?  That's not a problem with Play Time.  We'll just send a different sitter to meet  you prior to you leaving so you know who is in your home.
• It's like having an army of passionate, pet loving individuals on your side.

The chances of having multiple people in your home is slim, but in the emergency case that may arise, you want to have a team of professionals to have your back to take care of your beloved companion.

Play Time Pet Care is there for you all the time, no matter what.  Your pets are our number one priority.

480-292-9735

Mesa, AZ Pet Sitter Provides 4th of July Pet Safety Tips

4th of July is upon us and with it comes loud noises our dogs aren't used to hearing. Here are some ways to keep your dog sane and safe during 4th of July:

Are you staying home for Independence Day?  Here are some stay at home tips:

• Don't leave alcoholic beverages out where your dogs can get to it.  Alcoholic beverages have the ability to poison your pets.  It can cause your pet to become weak, severely depressed or could go into acoma.
• Don't apply insect repellent to your pet that isn't labeled as pet safe.  The misuse of insect repellent containing DEET can lead to neurological problems.
• Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets reach. Chlorates found in matches can damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing.  Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin and if ingested can cause gastrointestinal irritation.

If you are going out to see a fireworks display here are some tips for leaving your dog at home:

• Be sure to leave your dog inside.  Keeping your dog inside, away from the noise, will help them stay calmer.  They should be kept in a quiet, escape-proof area of your home.  
• Although it is tempting to bring your dog with you...Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for your dog.

If you have a dog that is super sensitive to loud noises and you would like to go out to celebrate Independence Day, one of our professional pet sitters can come to your home and sit with your dog during the peak of fireworks displays.  Call us today and ask about our 4th of July Doggy Babysitting special!  480-292-9735

  

Gilbert, AZ Pet Sitter Provides Dog Babysitting

Did you say Dog Babysitting?  Yep, sure did! We can do that!

Play Time Pet Care provides doggy babysitting by the hour.

What does that mean?
Doggy babysitting is when a pet sitter comes to your home and stays with your pet while you are away from the house for a couple of hours.

Why would I need a dog babysitter?
There are many reasons a pet parent would want to consider hiring a professional pet sitter by the hour.  Here are some of the most popular reasons Play Time Pet Care is hired for hourly dog babysitting:

• Your dog suffers from separation anxiety
• You have many dogs who aren't the best behaved and need someone to be at your home for repair people or deliveries
• Your dog is used to someone being around them all the time and gets stressed out when left alone for too long
• Your in from out of town and are going somewhere where dogs aren't allowed.  You'll need someone to sit with them at the hotel so you don't get kicked out because of your barking dog
• Your pet recently had surgery and needs someone to keep them calm while they are wearing a cone
• Your pet is ill and you need someone to make sure they are drinking enough water or getting their medication

These are just a few examples of why you might want to hire a professional pet sitter to watch your dog by the hour.  

This is just another great service provided by Play Time Pet Care.

Call today to schedule a meet and greet with your doggy babysitter!  480-292-9735

Mesa, AZ Pet Sitter Provides Pet Taxi Service

Play Time Pet Care Provides Much Needed Pet Taxi Service


When you just don't have the time to fit it in...

Some of the most popular pet taxi service requests:

• Salon Appointments
• Doggy Day Care
• Boarding
• Vet visits
• Pet Airways Airport
• Socializing at pet friendly establishments

We just wanted to let you know that we are here for all your pet needs!  Pet taxi services are by appointment only, so call today to schedule your taxi needs...480-292-9735.

Mesa, AZ Pet Sitter ~ Why Must Dogs Be Leashed and Not Cats?

So, the question has been posed....I'm not sure of the answer, but have been doing a bit of research on the issue and here is what I've found:

There are many cultures that allow dogs to roam free, unleashed.  In some countries it may seem like these dogs are living the high life.  Scrounging for food in the dumpsters, hanging out near touristy areas praying for home sick humans to feel sorry for them and offer a handout.  In these areas it may seem like the dogs have it made, but really, do they?  They live off feast or famine where only the strong survive.  Litters of puppies don't have a chance, they have to fend for themselves as well.  In the areas that dogs are allowed to roam free the humans don't look at dogs as companions they are looked at as vermon and the people don't really interact with them.  It's a stressful life, always on the move.

In the society that we live in today, it is just too dangerous for dogs to be left to roam free.  Not only do they have to dodge vehicles but they have wild animals to contend with, animal control, abusers, and they poop where ever they want spreading disease.  Please refer to my last poopy post (http://playtimepetcare.blogspot.com/2011/06/mesa-pet-sitter-its-poopy-business-but.html).  By allowing dog poop to disintegrate into the earth we are allowing it to get into our ground water, parks, streams, rivers and oceans.

Wild dog packs are also a concern.  Dog packs can be dangerous and intimidating, especially if they are hungry.

At this point, Arizona does not have a leash law in effect for cats.  There are some states that either have, or are looking into instating a leash law for cats.  It's not fair that cats get to roam free, free to poop and pee in our yards.  Cats don't normally roam in packs and are actually considered feral (all of them) where dogs are considered domestic which is where Animal Control comes in to play.

What do you think?  Should there be similar laws for cats as there are for dogs?  Feel free to post your comments!

Play Time Pet Care
480-292-9735
www.PlayTimePetCareAZ.com

Mesa Pet Sitter ~ It's Poopy Business, But Someone Has to Do It

Poop is gross!  I think we can all agree on that statement.  So why, do I see poop EVERYWHERE?  Obviously our dogs can't pick up after themselves as shown in this photo, so it's up to us.  As responsible pet owners it is up to us to pick up after our dogs. Not only in our own backyards, but while we are out in public, walking our dogs.

Why, you ask, is it SO important to pick up the poop?  It'll just dry out and eventually break down into the soil right?  It's like fertilizer...great for the dirt! NO...NO...NO.  Here are 10 reasons to pick up after your dog:

1. Tapeworms 
2. Roundworms 
3. Cryptosporidium 
4. Salmonellosis 
5. Giardia
6. E. Coli
7. Parvovirus
8. Your dog eating another dog's poop who has any of the above diseases
9. Large amounts of poop is stinky and yucky to look at
10. The flies (which could bring with them: Shigellosis, Polio & Eye Diseases)

As a professional (and responsible) pet sitter and dog walker I always carry poop bags with me to pick up after my clients.  As I'm walking I also pick up after other, less responsible, people who have left their mess for someone like me.  

The areas I find the most concentrations of poop is close to apartment complexes and parks.  I literally see people walk their dogs across the street from their apartment complex to allow their dogs to defecate in the neighboring communities landscaping, then just leave it there.  It is so infuriating! As I hand the dog owner a poop bag I educate them on the importance of picking up after their pooch. (Then of course tell them that they can hire me to let them out to go potty and they don't have to worry about it.)

So please, as you are out with your dog, pick up their poop!

Thank  you...

Jenna Trethewey

Play Time Pet Care

480-292-9735

www.PlayTimePetCareAZ.com

What Does My Pet Sitter Really Do At My House?

What Exactly Does My Pet Sitter Do While At My House?

Have you asked yourself this question in the past?  Ever wonder what the difference is between your friends, family or neighbor watching over your pet rather than a professional pet sitter?  Ask yourself this:

Do I know for sure that my friends, family or neighbor is spending quality time with my pets?

Aside from the obvious of providing fresh water and food for your pets whomever is taking care of them should also be spending quality play time with them.  Even if that means belly rubs on the couch instead of ball fetching or a brisk walk around the neighborhood, maybe a quick swim in the pool for pooch is in order.  Whatever the activity may be, your "pet-sitter" should never feel obligated or burdened to spend time with your fur kids.

At Play Time Pet Care we not only provide text or email updates, including photos, to our clients while they are gone, but we have also put together some videos to showcase our dedication to providing quality time and service to our 2 legged and 4 legged clients.  After-all, for us, it's all about Play Time!  

Here is a video example of how we spend time with our kitty clients:

 

Interested in seeing more of us in action?  Visit our Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/PlayTimePetCare 

Want to learn more about the services we provide?  Visit our website at www.PlayTimePetCareAz.com or give us a call at 480-292-9735.