Besides being able to work for myself, I  just love being with animals.  Any time I go any where and see a dog, cat, horse, etc., I'm immediately drawn to them.  I just have to go over and ask if I can pet them.  I love petting animals, hugging and kissing on them, playing with them, letting them walk me, going places with them, sleeping with them, etc.  So what better job to have than working with them day and night. I've even found myself saying "Hi sweetie!" when I see a possum, raccoon or squirrel.  I just melt when I see animals of any kind!

 

Pets don't care what I look like or what I wear or whether or not I'm having a bad hair day, they love unconditionally. I enjoy being around that one-of-a-kind love, and getting all the slobbery kisses that come with the job.

 

 

One of my newest clients own a farm with over 100 animals including Llamas, goats, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and cats.

 

Another client has over 20 cats, half of which stay inside. 

 

One cat has 17 indoor cats.

 

Another client has 10 pets (6 house cats, 2 dogs, 1 bird, 1 daygu).

 

 

Snakes come to mind.  As long as it's contained and I don't have to handle it, I would probably be okay taking care of it. If it's small, I'd probably say "Hi sweetie" to it too!

 

I used to be a little uncomfortable around iguanas, but not any more.  A client has one, and I really enjoy spending time with Lilly, talking to her and petting her.  She trusts me now and seems to enjoy my company.

 

 

One of my clients had three boxers with access to the outdoors 24/7.  On a supper visit, the oldest dog, Belle who was 17, didn't show up, so I started calling outside for her but she never came.  So then I started searching for her.  I found her by the side of the yard lying face down, like she had just gone out to potty and collapsed.  She was limp and barely alive. I called my client to let her know what was going on.  Belle was too heavy to carry all the way to my van, so I went out front to get the van so I could get Belle to the emergency clinic. By the time I got back with the van, her heart had stopped beating.  I still took her to ER because that's what the client requested, and kept in touch with the client.  I also called Belle's regular vet so she would know what was going on.  I was devastated that this precious dog died on my watch, but the owner told me she was so glad that I was there when it happened. She felt that Belle was waiting for one of us to arrive before she died. It was such a sad experience. I'm thankful that the owner didn't blame me and is still my client. 

 

I graduated from college with an AS Degree in Office Administration in 1979.  For over 25 years, I worked for both profit and non-profit organizations as a secretary or administrative assistant. I worked for myself in product and vending sales for two years. Before starting Southern Tails PetSitting, I owned and managed a retail franchise for four years.

 

I believe I've found my niche now, and this is what I'm supposed to do for the rest of my life.  Loving and caring for pets is what comes natural for me, and I love it!

 

 

 

Not because I forgot.  Up until January 2010, I had never missed a sit.  However, because of icy road conditions, I was unable to get out of a hilly neighborhood where I was doing an overnight sit.  We even tried putting on borrowed chains, but they fell off very quickly.  We tried getting out anyway, but ended up sliding right back down a steep hill and into a ditch. I have since purchased snow chains that fit my tires, so this little incident will hopefully never repeat itself.

 

If it's written in my planner, you can count on me to be there. As soon as the client confirms the dates they want me to start & stop a series of petsits, I write them all in my planner in pencil (in case something changes later). My planner is set up in hour intervals, so I assign each sit a time, and then go back over and count the # of sits and confirm that I've got the right dates. The clients and I are in touch with each other before they leave and when they return, so there's no chance that their pets are left without care.

 

 

I suggest that the client choose someone they trust as my back-up who already has a key to their house or someone who already knows their pets and/or has cared for them in the past.  This person would be contacted in case I have a personal emergency (i.e. accident or family emergency) making it impossible for me to fulfill my petsitting duties for the client.  If the client doesn't have a back-up in mind, I will contact someone that I trust completely to fill in for me (i.e. my husband, another bonded & insured petsitter whom I already have an arrangement with, or another client).  The client will be notified of the circumstances and alternate arrangement for the care of their pet(s).

 

 

No. My parents raised me to be a good girl and I like to think that I've remained that way into my adulthood. I have gotten a couple speeding tickets in my life though.  I've gone through the bonding process, so my background has been checked out thoroughly. In the 2-1/2 years I've been petsitting, I've never had a bonding or liability claim.

 

 

Email your question to us and Trisha will be glad to answer it for you.