What is pet proofing?
Pet proofing is the process of checking the safety of a home space, then making changes so the home is safe for pets to stay with you. If you own a pet, or pet sit in your home, it's critical that you pet-proof your house. This is not only for pet safety, but also to prevent damage and accidents from occurring.
If you are a pet sitter offering doggy daycare or home boarding, then now is the time to do a safety check of your home before things get busy at Christmas.
Why is it important to pet-proof my home?
It's really important for the safety of your client's pets to have a pet-proof home. Although pet sitting is the BEST job around, it takes planning and preparation to make sure all goes smoothly.
Remember that a pet is a precious family member to your Pawshake client and as such should be treated like one of your own. You are responsible for their health, happiness, and well-being during the whole stay.
How to pet-proof my house
1) Know your local laws.
It is the responsibility of each Pawshake pet sitter to comply with local laws and regulations when boarding or caring for pets at home. This is part of our terms and conditions and is essential to running your own pet-sitting business. So be sure to do your research and check your local council website for further details. Check out our guide to the various Codes of Practice here.
2) Follow the right steps all the way to the booking
This means – making contact through the site and having a good solid meet and greet with all furry guests before the stay. Lastly, always book through the website and never accept cash. This way, your furry client is covered in case of accident or illness. And remember: pet sitters can now initiate a booking for a pet owner to make things even easier for all involved!
It’s a good idea to make a little list with each pet owner so that nothing is missed. This includes exchanging emergency contact numbers, checking up on vaccination and microchip information, and asking all of the usual important questions before the stay.
3) Fully prepare your house for your furry visitors
The following are best practices for pet sitting in your home, make sure you follow this list closely:
- Providing a clean, dry space for your pets to sleep
- Access to fresh water and meals
- Medications provided are always ready to be administered if necessary
- Access to a local veterinary clinic should the need arise (always have the contact details of a nearby emergency vet on hand)
- Access to a pet first aid kit
- Secure, high fencing with zero chance of digging under, leaping over, or breaking through
- All choking or poisoning hazards are locked up and out of reach
Flimsy fence? Gap under the gate? Furry guest, that has a gift of jumping high? DO NOT take a chance by offering home boarding or doggy daycare if this is the case. The risk is not worth it.
4) Know your limits.
Know what you can and can't manage, and don't take on too many bookings or guest pets. This will vary between pet sitters, but it's always best to be conservative. Give a great, one-on-one pet care service to a few clients at once, rather than taking too many pets into your home. Keeping your calendar up to date is a great way to prevent this from happening.
5) Have a plan in case of emergency
Spend some time thinking of all the hypothetical emergencies that could come up when pet-sitting. This includes everything from fire, to flood, to a pet escaping. Following this, have a step-by-step process in place for what you would do if these situations were to happen. Chances are, things will run smoothly, but it's always best to be prepared. You’re your own boss, so be confident and know your backup plans!
6) Keep in touch
It’s important to send daily updates of your furry guests to your clients. A quick picture and update can make all the difference to anxious pet parents! But also, be observant and be sure to share any concerns or issues immediately. The Pawshake team is here to help too, all day and night – so don’t be afraid to reach out!
