What it takes to be a successful Professional Pet Sitter

Did you know this week, March 1-7, 2015 is National Professional Pet Sitters Week?  Yup! Each year, since being introduced by Pet Sitters International (PSI), in 1995, Professional Pet Sitters Week (PPSW)  is actually the first full week in March, dedicated to celebrate and acknowledge the hard working Professional Pet Sitters who care for the world’s companion animals when their owners are away.[clear]

Have you ever thought about what qualifications it takes to become a Professional Pet Sitter, Dog Walker, and Pet Care Giver?  Although the title may vary, and the tasks MAY be similar,  the job title does NOT do justice to what the job truly entails! Each pet is different, each visit is different, therefore, each and every day is different. There is nothing mundane or boring about this job!  Although you may think that anyone can “just walk a dog”, you should know that it really does take a different breed of person, to become a truly professional and successful, Wagging Tails Pet Sitter and Mobile Groomer. [clear]

Stay tuned for more blogs about a day in the life of a Wagging Tails Pet Sitter! From hilarious to serious, these TRUE stories will have you laughing and crying. You will then truly understand how wonderful, and difficult, our job can be each day. And we can’t wait to share it with you![clear]

Have you ever thought about taking on a second job, or changing your career to work with animals? Or are you a mom who wants to enjoy a part time responsibility while the kids are in school? Are you a teacher who is looking for summer work? Pet sitting and dog walking schedules are flexible enough to accommodate anyone’s lifestyle. However, pet care experience, and true dedication, are just two of the many, specific requirements that each applicant at Wagging Tails Pet Sitting and Mobile Grooming Service must have.[clear]

I know that it takes a special person, a perfect fit, a different breed,  to dedicate their days, to care for your very special pets, while upholding the high standards and values, that Wagging Tails was founded on, over 20 years ago. Sure, we’re all animal lovers here. That’s the easy part and comes naturally to all of us. But, to become a Wagging Tails Pet Sitter and Mobile Groomer,  an animal lover must prove themselves worthy of that title. [clear]

Not just anyone can become a part of our team. You are placing your trust in ME, as the owner of this service, to find the BEST for your BEST friend. That is why I consider each member of our team, a direct extension of myself. They represent all the values, the integrity, pride and professionalism that this company was founded on. They are entrusted with the care of your best friend, your family member, your home. So, as a prerequisite, each member of our Wagging Tails team has undergone an extensive interview, background checking process. Each Wagging Tails Pet Sitter and Mobile Groomer has passed a checklist of attributes, experiences and training, before being invited to join our team.[clear]

• Resumes and applications are reviewed, the best of the bunch are chosen for interviews, during which the owner, and Office Managers assess the applicant based on our 20 years of knowledge, of what it takes to be an asset to our team.
• Then reference checking, criminal background checking, driver’s license checks are all performed.
• Your Wagging Tails pet caregivers must, not only exhibit an over the top adoration for all critters, they must have extensive experience caring for them.
• Now comes the hard part….your pets sitters spend time traveling from home to home, so a great sense of direction and the ability to follow directions, both on the road and in your home are necessary.
• Your sitters don’t mind ANY weather. Because like the postal service, in any weather, we have to be there, for your pets. So when it’s -2 degrees, and you are home snuggling on your sofa with your pup, chances are, that a Wagging Tails Pet Sitter is out there, walking a dog, and caring for a pet, who’s at home, while their owner is away.
• On those days that it pours buckets in and hour?….Yup, we’re out there, driving in it and letting your dogs out for a much needed potty break.
• Your sitters are morning, noon and night people. Because, yes, when you go away, your dog needs to be visited morning, noon and night…right? It takes a dedicated person to commit to those work hours. Wagging Tails Pet Sitters do.
• Your sitters must know how to remain calm in any situation. Because, when they enter a home, and have 30 seconds to turn an alarm off, but first have to hop over a baby gate, while being jumped on by a Great Dane, or two, and tripping over a water bowl and a kitty, and making it up the stairs, to get to the alarm pad…it gets a little crazy!
• Your sitters are enthusiastic about furthering their pet care education, and happily train in Pet CPR and First Aid. They also enjoy continuing education about anything pet related, supplied to them by their Wagging Tails Managers and Owner.
• Your sitters don’t mind getting covered in pet fur or slobber, and they certainly don’t mind picking up poop. Because, let’s face it, this isn’t the most glamorous job out there! BUT…it is the most rewarding. It really, really is.
• To your Wagging Tails Pet Sitter, there is no better feeling than walking into your home and being greeted by wagging tails and purrs. Talk about being appreciated at work!…That’s a warm greeting at the office to us!
• When we are at your home, loving your pet, we know that we truly are appreciated by them.  But, it’s US who adore and appreciate THEM.
• Your Wagging Tails Pet Sitters & Mobile Groomers, appreciate and love your pet, truly enjoy caring for them, and take great pride in their work.

That being said, we understand that not everyone is purrfect. We institute a mandatory trial period for all of our new team members. On the rare occasion that our clients ever feel that any of our staff, including our veterans, are not upholding our high standards, we most certainly want to know.  We will do everything we can to provide your pet with exemplary, excellent, outstanding purrfect pet care![clear]

Interested in joining our award winning team?  We are currently accepting applications, in your Connecticut town, for pet sitter, dog walker, and pet care giver. Have management experience? We are currently accepting applications for our Night and Weekend Pet Care Manager. Visit our Now Hiring! website page to learn more.