Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on HomeGuide.
How much do dog sitters charge?
Dog sitters charge$10 to $20 per hour for a drop-in visit or $35 to $65 per night, depending on your location. Dog sitters may charge more for holidays or if your home is outside of their service area. Costs may also increase if your dog has special needs.
Do you tip dog sitters?
While dog sitters do not expect a tip, tipping 15% to 20% of the total bill is common. Tip on the low end if your sitter did everything they agreed to do. Consider tipping more if they exceeded your expectations or handled any unexpected problems or emergencies.
What do dog sitters do?
Dog sitters come to your home and care for your dog while you are away. Drop-in visits typically last 30 minutes and include feeding, walking, and some play or cuddle time. Overnight visits may be at your home or the sitter's home and give your dog more time and attention than a drop-in visit.
Hiring a dog sitter gives your dog more personalized attention than a pet boarding facility and is a great option for dogs who deal with separation anxiety, dogs who do not do well in a kennel or around other animals, and older, less agile dogs.
Do dog sitters stay overnight?
Most dog sitters offer drop-in visits and overnight options, with overnight stays typically costing more. Many dogs do fine with only drop-in visits for feeding, walking, and some attention. Consider overnight sittings if your pet has high separation anxiety or needs more attention than a short visit provides.
How do I choose the best dog sitter near me?
When searching for a dog sitter, be sure to:
Choose a sitter who has a licensed and insured business.
Ask if they belong to any professional organizations, such as the National association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), Professional United Pet Sitters (P.U.P.S.), or the Association of Pet Sitting Excellence (APSE).
Review their profile and feedback on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask for and check their references.
Arrange a meet and greet beforehand to make sure he or she is a good fit for both you and your dog.
What questions should I ask when hiring a dog sitter?
Ask the following questions to ensure you find the best dog sitter near you:
What experience do you have?
Do you specialize in specific animals or breeds?
Do you belong to any professional organizations?
Are you trained in pet CPR?
Can we schedule a meet and greet beforehand?
What is included in your standard rate?
What is the rate if I have more than one dog?
How and when do I pay for the service?
Do you offer dog monitoring service?
How long do you stay?
Can you give my dog medication?
Do you offer any house-sitting services in addition to dog sitting?
What is your protocol if there is an emergency or if my dog needs immediate medical attention?
How do I get in touch with you while I'm away?
Will you update me after each visit?
Reviews for Fort Lee dog sitters
Recent success stories from people in the Fort Lee area.
Michelle J.
Debra, the owner, listened patiently to my concerns regarding my experience with a previous groomer and what my expectations were for grooming the dog I own. I explained that I had not taken my dog to a groomer in months, searching for a groomer that would clip my Barbet rather than default to shaving her down. My dog, like poodles and doodles, has an undercoat and mats. It takes time to take out the mats and apparently many groomers default to using clippers rather than scissors. My dog is a roll in the mud, soak in the creek water, roll in the dirt and leaves kind of dog. Debra took her time to get to know my dog and really clean her up so that by the time I picked her up I was introduced to a beautiful show dog with all of her hair— just much cleaner and prettier. And the shiny little sparkly bow was a fabulous step up from the usual “bandana” look. Especially for the holidays.
It took me four months of searching and I only found Miss Molly’s through Home Guide. So thank you. Debra is delightful, and I would recommend her to anyone, but particularly to anyone who has a dog with an undercoat or a coat that tends to mat. We’ve already scheduled our next appointment.
Miss Molly's Lap Of Luxury Grooming Salon
Mallory
Very professional
Noah arc
Sabrina D.
Nadira’s dedicated and caring work made a big impression on me. She was extremely reliable and dependable – her expert attention to my dog, her willingness to be flexible, to listen and be responsive to my needs are qualities that I highly recommend to anyone seeking to hire her pet services.
K9 Villas
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