I have been a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters since June of 2006 - I actually joined before I started my business! I have run businesses before and I know that there's no need to reinvent the wheel - there are resources out there (no matter what industry you're in) to help you. I get a lot out of my membership that has made me a better pet sitter and a better businesswoman, so I wanted to give back. NAPPS is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization, which means that it's not like a company that's in business for itself and tells it's customers what to do or what to buy. NAPPS is run by pet sitters all over the country who all come together to shape the future of the pet sitting industry.
I started on a committee, and earned a position as committee chair, and eventually made my way to a volunteer position on the NAPPS Board of Directors. There's a lot of work involved, but it is so rewarding. When you volunteer for an organization like this, your input doesn't just affect yourself, or other board members. It impacts pet sitters (and their clients) all over the country. Okay, okay, I'm not trying to grandstand here, what I'm driving at is that just by stepping up and saying "I have an idea that will benefit pet sitters and our clients, and I'll volunteer to help make it happen," you can make changes that help countless others. If I reach out to just one struggling pet sitter, and point them to NAPPS and all of the resources, education, and support they provide, and that pet sitter learns and uses that education to benefit their clients and take better care of pets, that benefits every pet sitter, everywhere. It benefits every client and every pet entrusted to our care.
This, to me, is a BIG part of the difference between a true professional pet sitter, and a "hobby" sitter - the hobby sitter has no motivation to improve their services, as it's not their primary source of income, and they don't invest money in their own education. They aren't running a real business, so if they remain uneducated about pet care and think it's as simple as clipping a leash on a dog, sure they won't have many clients, but that's okay - it's not their livelihood. For those of us who do this for a living, we have a STRONG motivation to be the very best pet sitters we can be. We have to continually delight clients and their pets with our service...or we won't have any clients! I'm glad I have NAPPS' resources at my fingertips!
I sound like such a cheerleader today because I was in conference call meetings with fellow NAPPS volunteers for over 3 hours yesterday. And I was thinking about it afterward - how 3 hours of meetings are enough to make anyone's head spin, but I was feeling energized and excited instead of burned out. And I realized that I felt energized firstly because NAPPS volunteers have become my friends, and I really enjoy talking to them, but mainly because we are doing so many great things, awesome, fun, exciting, beneficial things to help our fellow pet sitters. I love being a part of this process and adding my voice to the mix. I love hearing what other pet sitters have to say about where they want to see the industry go. I love that even though this is a solitary job, I have a legion of peers out there supporting me and helping me, and to whom I can lend support and help.
I never thought 3 hours of meetings could make me feel so good.
If you want to learn more about the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, visit their website at www.petsitters.org. If you're already a NAPPS member, join me in my enthusiasm and get involved! The two or three hours per month you'd spend helping out is an investment that will pay dividends for you and your business.
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Pet Sitter Secret: The Tick Puller
I had to share a great tool that I received from a fellow pet professional that has saved me a lot of time and allowed me to help pets! I'll preface this by saying that nobody is paying me for my review, I am just sharing a great tool in the hopes that others can use it. (I'll always disclose if I receive money to promote a product. So far there is no line of rich corporations banging on my door to offer me buckets of cash, but I will not turn down their beautiful cash buckets! I'll just be sure to be up front about it.)
The item is called the O'Tom Tick Twister. You can see their website here: http://www.otom.com/en/1-how-to-remove-a-tick.php
It's a really quick and easy way to remove a tick. Here in Northeast PA, ticks seem to be more and more common (is it just me? I NEVER saw ticks as a kid!) so having this handy is a good idea.
Some suggest keeping ticks that you find in case your pet experiences any health issues.
Of course, prevention is the optimal solution, and worth taking a few minutes to research (searching for "Tick Prevention" in Google is an ideal start).
In other news- the weather in Northeast PA has been spectacular these past few days. I see the dogs I walk soaking in that sun, they know that winter is nigh!
The item is called the O'Tom Tick Twister. You can see their website here: http://www.otom.com/en/1-how-to-remove-a-tick.php
It's a really quick and easy way to remove a tick. Here in Northeast PA, ticks seem to be more and more common (is it just me? I NEVER saw ticks as a kid!) so having this handy is a good idea.
Some suggest keeping ticks that you find in case your pet experiences any health issues.
Of course, prevention is the optimal solution, and worth taking a few minutes to research (searching for "Tick Prevention" in Google is an ideal start).
In other news- the weather in Northeast PA has been spectacular these past few days. I see the dogs I walk soaking in that sun, they know that winter is nigh!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Developing Relationships
This weekend I got to bond with some really great dogs. As a pet sitter, one of the most enjoyable processes of my work is the relationship I develop with the pets I care for.
Last year I attended the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, and spoke with Bill Berloni of Theatrical Dogs (he trains dogs for live performances in stage shows, and he is not only talented, witty, and fun, but the dogs he uses in shows are all rescue dogs! How cool is that?) Bill said that when it comes to working with dogs, he aims to "honor the being". I repeat that to myself all the time - "Honor the being." It really clicked with me. Every pet, every creature, has it's own personality, likes and dislikes, and way of communicating. Part of what I do is to try to open my mind and heart to the pet in my care, and ask "What do you need right now? How can I make sure you are comfortable and happy?" I observe the pets I care for constantly to learn their language. Of course pets need food, water, shelter, etc. But for dogs and cats, there are games they like to play, ways they like to be held (or not held at all!), toys they prefer over others, a special blanket they have to sleep with. I love the process of learning about pets likes and dislikes.
So this weekend I sat for a bunch of beautiful dachshunds (and other pets too!) and they all are so unique. A few of the dogs I have known since they were puppies, and even though it's been a year since I saw them last, they remembered me and immediately one was in my arms (she always loved to be held), another was wrestling my sneaker (she's a playful one), and another wanted his tummy rub - he knows I give great tummy rubs! I loved that I know these dogs well enough to know what they like, and to be able to provide that to them. The response from the dogs is always favorable, it's like they are expressing to me that they appreciate that I know them so well!
Bonding with pets is never a wasted effort, and it can be done with the right gesture, or word, or tummy rub, or toy.
Last year I attended the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, and spoke with Bill Berloni of Theatrical Dogs (he trains dogs for live performances in stage shows, and he is not only talented, witty, and fun, but the dogs he uses in shows are all rescue dogs! How cool is that?) Bill said that when it comes to working with dogs, he aims to "honor the being". I repeat that to myself all the time - "Honor the being." It really clicked with me. Every pet, every creature, has it's own personality, likes and dislikes, and way of communicating. Part of what I do is to try to open my mind and heart to the pet in my care, and ask "What do you need right now? How can I make sure you are comfortable and happy?" I observe the pets I care for constantly to learn their language. Of course pets need food, water, shelter, etc. But for dogs and cats, there are games they like to play, ways they like to be held (or not held at all!), toys they prefer over others, a special blanket they have to sleep with. I love the process of learning about pets likes and dislikes.
So this weekend I sat for a bunch of beautiful dachshunds (and other pets too!) and they all are so unique. A few of the dogs I have known since they were puppies, and even though it's been a year since I saw them last, they remembered me and immediately one was in my arms (she always loved to be held), another was wrestling my sneaker (she's a playful one), and another wanted his tummy rub - he knows I give great tummy rubs! I loved that I know these dogs well enough to know what they like, and to be able to provide that to them. The response from the dogs is always favorable, it's like they are expressing to me that they appreciate that I know them so well!
Bonding with pets is never a wasted effort, and it can be done with the right gesture, or word, or tummy rub, or toy.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
You KNOW You Want To See More of This
Now you HAVE to come to the dog wedding. You don't want to miss THIS!
The Dog Wedding!
I was trying to think of something to share about pet sitting to give a little insight into the pet sitting world. And today I thought that one thing I didn't know before I became a pet sitter was that pet sitters have to be good at waiting.
It's sort of interesting now that I think about it. When I worked 8-5 (or actually, 6 to 6 with Chicago traffic), I went to work, and I came home. But pet sitters leave and come home throughout the day. Sometimes I get home and it may only be an hour until I have to go out again. So I find productive ways to fill small amounts of time. I have about a half hour before I leave for another pet sit, and that seems like the perfect amount of time to write a blog post.
The Dog Wedding
Most? All? of you know that next Sunday, September 19th, my puppy Fiona will be joining her puppy friend Jake in canine matrimony. Come join us - it will be a lot of fun and a great fundraiser for Hillside Animal Shelter and One Life to Live Rescue. You're invited!
What: Jake and Fiona's Dog Wedding and Fundraiser
Where: Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton PA
When: Sunday, Sept. 19th, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
Cost: Free! Although we are asking for voluntary donations of $2.00 OR new or gently used pet crates, beds, toys, food, towels, blankets, leashes, etc. to benefit Hillside Animal Shelter and One Life to Live Rescue.
What Will Be There: Live music by Analog Velvet, raffles, face painting, canine contests, and of course - Jake and Fiona's wedding!
Come on out, bring the kids and the dogs, and celebrate with us! And help homeless animals at the same time. We really appreciate it and I hope to see you there!
It's sort of interesting now that I think about it. When I worked 8-5 (or actually, 6 to 6 with Chicago traffic), I went to work, and I came home. But pet sitters leave and come home throughout the day. Sometimes I get home and it may only be an hour until I have to go out again. So I find productive ways to fill small amounts of time. I have about a half hour before I leave for another pet sit, and that seems like the perfect amount of time to write a blog post.
The Dog Wedding
Most? All? of you know that next Sunday, September 19th, my puppy Fiona will be joining her puppy friend Jake in canine matrimony. Come join us - it will be a lot of fun and a great fundraiser for Hillside Animal Shelter and One Life to Live Rescue. You're invited!
What: Jake and Fiona's Dog Wedding and Fundraiser
Where: Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton PA
When: Sunday, Sept. 19th, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
Cost: Free! Although we are asking for voluntary donations of $2.00 OR new or gently used pet crates, beds, toys, food, towels, blankets, leashes, etc. to benefit Hillside Animal Shelter and One Life to Live Rescue.
What Will Be There: Live music by Analog Velvet, raffles, face painting, canine contests, and of course - Jake and Fiona's wedding!
Come on out, bring the kids and the dogs, and celebrate with us! And help homeless animals at the same time. We really appreciate it and I hope to see you there!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Daily Visits for Cats
I've been enjoying the beautiful weather, planning for Jake and Fiona's Dog Wedding & Fundraiser, and I've been getting lots of calls from new customers (Hooray!)
One question that has come up three times in the past week is about cat care, and why I don't do every-other-day (or EOD) visits for cats.
There are several reasons, but the main reason is simple - I am a professional and my job is to make sure your pets are safe, comfortable, and happy. Since cats can be fine one day and deathly ill the next, and there is no predicting when a pet can get hurt or sick, time becomes THE deciding factor in cases like these.
Fortunately I never had to learn this first-hand. Through the great organizations NAPPS and PUPS, I can network with other professional pet sitters and learn from THEIR experiences. So when enough professional pet sitters come forward and say "EOD visits for cats are a BAD idea, and here's why," I listen.
My job is to help minimize risks to your home and pets, and making daily visits for cats is a standard and accepted way to make sure your cats get the care and attention (not to mention food, water, and clean litter boxes!) they need. Day to day, I can check the food and water levels as well as litter box output (yes, I do check these things since they can provide clues to a pet's health! Not the most glamorous of tasks but a very important one). Having this daily information is important, especially if a cat gets sick. A vet might ask "When did the cat last eat?" and there's a big difference between "within the last 24 hours" and "within the last 48 hours".
Working with cats all these years has taught me so much. There's this perception that cats are less than social, and I have found the opposite to be true. Cats are very social, and even the seemingly aloof ones crave attention sometimes. I like to address the social needs of cats and make that a part of my visits, just like I make sure they get food, fresh water, and a clean litter box, too. I like to learn what their favorite toys and games are, and get to know their personalities as well.
Generally people who call a professional pet sitter are not the type to skimp on pet care - they cherish their pets as part of the family and want the best for them. But they may not realize that daily visits for cats is not only the norm, it's what is best for the safety and well-being of the cat.
One question that has come up three times in the past week is about cat care, and why I don't do every-other-day (or EOD) visits for cats.
There are several reasons, but the main reason is simple - I am a professional and my job is to make sure your pets are safe, comfortable, and happy. Since cats can be fine one day and deathly ill the next, and there is no predicting when a pet can get hurt or sick, time becomes THE deciding factor in cases like these.
Fortunately I never had to learn this first-hand. Through the great organizations NAPPS and PUPS, I can network with other professional pet sitters and learn from THEIR experiences. So when enough professional pet sitters come forward and say "EOD visits for cats are a BAD idea, and here's why," I listen.
My job is to help minimize risks to your home and pets, and making daily visits for cats is a standard and accepted way to make sure your cats get the care and attention (not to mention food, water, and clean litter boxes!) they need. Day to day, I can check the food and water levels as well as litter box output (yes, I do check these things since they can provide clues to a pet's health! Not the most glamorous of tasks but a very important one). Having this daily information is important, especially if a cat gets sick. A vet might ask "When did the cat last eat?" and there's a big difference between "within the last 24 hours" and "within the last 48 hours".
Working with cats all these years has taught me so much. There's this perception that cats are less than social, and I have found the opposite to be true. Cats are very social, and even the seemingly aloof ones crave attention sometimes. I like to address the social needs of cats and make that a part of my visits, just like I make sure they get food, fresh water, and a clean litter box, too. I like to learn what their favorite toys and games are, and get to know their personalities as well.
Generally people who call a professional pet sitter are not the type to skimp on pet care - they cherish their pets as part of the family and want the best for them. But they may not realize that daily visits for cats is not only the norm, it's what is best for the safety and well-being of the cat.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Day Off!
It's rare for a pet sitter to have a day off in the summer, let alone on a weekend! and truthfully, I didn't have the whole day off - took care of some wonderful kitties in the morning. But the rest of the day was mine to be had!
My husband and I drove around and had fun checking out some garage sales. We got some nice deals and of course spent a buck buying some stuffed animals for the dogs. We can't buy them stuffed toys at the store because they tear them open (yup - even the "nearly indestructible" ones) in 5 minutes. So we get the "garage sale specials" for them, and of course they tear them to bits in a day but they have the best time doing it and it was cheap (although cleaning up all of the stuffing is a bit of a pain! And we take the eyes/noses off beforehand so there's no accidental swallowing). Seeing Loki grinning on top of a pile of stuffing is definitely amusing.
After that I did what everyone else was doing - I hit the lake! Ahhh, it was beautiful. Those of us who are fortunate enough to live and vacation in the Poconos know that feeling. Drifting on a beautiful lake on your raft, or in your boat, with blue skies above and green trees all around, a light breeze to keep you cool, and the sweet sound of nature all around you.
I could have spent the day doing work (even though I didn't have afternoon pet sits, I still have some paperwork-stuff to do). But when it's a beautiful day and there's so much fun to be had, I think sometimes the choice to go out and experience the sweetness that life has to offer is the RIGHT choice. Work will still be here for me Monday!
I hope you have been able to enjoy this gorgeous summer. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Give me a call, I'll spend time with your pets so you can have some guilt-free fun in the sun!
My husband and I drove around and had fun checking out some garage sales. We got some nice deals and of course spent a buck buying some stuffed animals for the dogs. We can't buy them stuffed toys at the store because they tear them open (yup - even the "nearly indestructible" ones) in 5 minutes. So we get the "garage sale specials" for them, and of course they tear them to bits in a day but they have the best time doing it and it was cheap (although cleaning up all of the stuffing is a bit of a pain! And we take the eyes/noses off beforehand so there's no accidental swallowing). Seeing Loki grinning on top of a pile of stuffing is definitely amusing.
After that I did what everyone else was doing - I hit the lake! Ahhh, it was beautiful. Those of us who are fortunate enough to live and vacation in the Poconos know that feeling. Drifting on a beautiful lake on your raft, or in your boat, with blue skies above and green trees all around, a light breeze to keep you cool, and the sweet sound of nature all around you.
I could have spent the day doing work (even though I didn't have afternoon pet sits, I still have some paperwork-stuff to do). But when it's a beautiful day and there's so much fun to be had, I think sometimes the choice to go out and experience the sweetness that life has to offer is the RIGHT choice. Work will still be here for me Monday!
I hope you have been able to enjoy this gorgeous summer. If you haven't, what are you waiting for? Give me a call, I'll spend time with your pets so you can have some guilt-free fun in the sun!
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