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5 REASONS WHY PET OWNERS ARE CALLING KELLY'S PET SITTING

Posted on 11 November, 2014 at 23:57 Comments comments (182)
5 REASONS WHY PET OWNERS ARE CALLING KELLY'S PET SITTING
Written by Kelly Hall, Owner of Kelly's Pet Sitting, LLC

Our business has been growing steadily in the 10 years we have been providing pet care to Medford, Oregon area clients. So we have to ask, Why are pet owners calling Kelly's Pet Sitting for their dog and cat sitting needs, instead of another professional pet sitter in our area?

WORD OF MOUTH: Many of our new clients come to us because one of our existing clients referred us to them. We feel this is the greatest compliment of all when we hear the wonderful things our clients have to say about us and that they want their friends, family and co-workers to receive the same great care that they have experienced.

PEACE OF MIND: I have clients tell me that Kelly's Pet Sitting gives them the Peace Of Mind that they have been looking for. What creates this Peace of Mind? Several things: Trust, Reliability, Knowledge of Pet Care, Behavior, Health, etc. Some have tried boarding their dogs in kennels and their pets returned to them stressed out or sick with kennel cough. Others have used friends, neighbors or family in the past and were not satisfied with the care their pets received (or even worse, no one showed up!). Others tell me, they are tired of imposing on friends or family (even if they do a great job) but even well-meaning friends or family sometimes forget, or make other plans, after saying they would sit for you. Not surprising that people have a life of their own, is it? That is why you hire a professional pet sitter who does this for a living!

At Kelly's Pet Sitting, your pets are are #1 priority. You schedule with us and you no longer have to worry about your pet's care. We will be there EVERY time as promised, giving your pets the top quality care and attention they deserve. We also keep in touch with you while you are gone. You can receive a daily text from your pet sitter, photos, etc. to let you know everything is going fine at home.

ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED PET SITTERS:  Our clients love that we can offer flexibility in scheduling for our client's convenience. We are a small family owned business, not a large pet sitting company that feels like a chain store! Besides Kelly, the owner, who pet sits and manages the business, we have a couple of wonderful pet sitters on staff. Our pet sitters are: bonded, insured, experienced, back ground checked, and of course, true animal lovers. The only sitters I have on my staff are the ones that I feel completely comfortable having the sitter in MY home, caring for MY precious pets. Having more than 1 sitter enables us to back up one another in case of injury or illness, busy times, and allow the sitter time off to spend time with family and friends (very important!). No one can work 7 days per week/365 days per year (believe me I have tried), yet we are able to offer pet sitting services to you and your pets throughout the year!

AVAILABILITY: Because we do this on a full time basis (and how we make our living) we have more availability. Some “pet sitters” do this on the side and have to work around their school or work schedule which may not be convenient for you and your schedule. When they can't accommodate you, you are back to square one, wondering who will care for your pets.

GREAT CLIENT REVIEWS: You can also check out our online reviews.

YELP – 5 Star Reviews here: Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/kellys-pet-sitting-medford


ANGIE'S LIST: we have had some great reviews on Angie's List, but unfortunately they require more PAID Members for them to show up :(


Once clients have used our pet sitting services they are excited to tell other pet owners they know about us, so that they too can enjoy stress-free vacations or work days, knowing that their pets have the excellent care they deserve.

Whether you need dog sitting, a cat sitter, or any other type of pet care, we do that! We offer daily visits, overnights or dog walking while on vacation or at work. Kelly's Pet Sitting in Medford, OR is here to help!

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? 

Visit our website for more information: www.kellyspetsitting.net 

CONTACT US: E-MAIL: [email protected] or
PHONE: Call us today at 541-601-7461 to discuss your pet care needs and to set up your complimentary “Meet and Greet” to meet you and your pets at your home. You'll be happy you did and your pets will be too!

How to Help Your Senior Pet

Posted on 9 September, 2014 at 3:17 Comments comments (175)
SENIOR PET CARE TIPS

Taking care of a senior pet can be difficult, but there are many things you can do to make the process a manageable one. Below are a few preventative tips to help manage the aging process.

Good nutrition is critical to good health at all ages, so be sure your pet is on a proper diet. Check with your veterinarian for a healthy meal program that suits your pet's needs.

Other steps a pet owner can take to delay the onset of aging in their pets include:teeth cleaning to prevent gum disease; grooming to keep the skin and coat healthy and to be aware of any problems such as dry skin, thin or brittle coat, thin coat, body odor, or sore spots; and checking the ears for odor or gunk produced by infecting organisms.

The first sign of aging is a general decrease in activity level, including lethargy, a tendency to sleep longer, a waning of enthusiasm for long walks and fun activities such as catch. These symptoms could also be indicative of an illness and may warrant a trip to the veterinarian.

Hearing loss is a common consequence of aging, as is some deterioration of sight.
As aging advances, heart, liver, and kidneys lose their efficiency, and the immune system is less able to fight off attacks by bacteria and viruses. Bladder control may be affected, and muscles decrease in size and function.

Tips to keep your pet comfortable

Check your pet for fleas and ticks. Fleas can carry tapeworms and cause allergies; ticks can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease. Older pets are more prone to these diseases since they have a decreased ability to fight off parasites.

Reduce calorie intake, if necessary, to prevent your pet from becoming overweight. Ask your veterinarian about a special diet if your pet needs to lose weight.

Use a baby gate to keep your pet away from the stairs or carpeted areas to avoid bathroom accidents and/or injury.

Most importantly, be aware of your pet's increased special requirements as an aging animal. Your pet may not remember to go to the bathroom outside or to eat, so you may need to remind them. And above all, be patient. With these simple tips, your pet may live years longer and better enjoy his/her time with the family.

Kelly's Pet Sitting has experienced pet sitters that know how to care for senior pets and what to look for if your pet has any changes in behavior or health that require attention.

Call us today for all of your pet sitting needs: 541-601-7461 or fill out the Request for Service Form on our website: kellyspetsitting.net. 

How To Be An Ideal Client And Win Your Pet Sitter's Heart!

Posted on 12 August, 2014 at 17:56 Comments comments (348)
How to Be an Ideal Client and Win Your Pet Care Professional's Heart!

The following tips come from talking with pet sitters, dog walkers, and dog daycare owners over the years, and hearing about situations that they have faced with their clients. This may seem like a lengthy list of things to remember, but if you keep these things in mind you'll be helping your pet sitter, dog walker, or dog daycare personnel provide the very best care possible for your pets. And rest assured, the person caring for your pets has a much longer list of things to do than you do!

Be prepared for your initial meeting.
When you meet with your pet care provider for the first time, be sure to have the information available that may have been requested. This will probably include paperwork that was sent to in advance, keys, a garage door opener if necessary, a gate, alarm codes, or key cards. You may also be asked to show proof of vaccination.
If your pet care provider sends you paperwork to complete in advance, it's a good idea to highlight information you're unsure about, or simply make a list to refer to when you meet the pet sitter for the first time. And of course, if there's something not on the paperwork that you have questions about, be sure to make a note of that also. Completing the paperwork ahead of time will enable you and your pet care professional to go over things in a more leisurely way when you meet for the first time.
Being prepared will make a good first impression on the person you ask to care for your pets. And let's face it; people enjoy doing business with people who are prepared…it'll make things go more smoothly for everybody involved!

Be sure to provide contact and emergency information.
Give your pet sitter or dog walker the phone number, email address, or other contact information where you'll be while away so they will be able to get in touch with you in case of emergency. Ideally this should be in your pet care providers' hands before you ever leave home.

Be honest about your pets' health and behavior.
When you meet with a pet sitter, dog walker, or dog daycare for the first time, be honest about your pets' health and behavior. If your dog tends to be aggressive, withdrawn, afraid of storms, or has other characteristics that are worrisome, your pet care professional will need to know these things. It's understandable that as a pet owner, you may be hesitant to mention these things but many pet care providers have dealt with issues like these and will be able to work with your pet. If not, they may be able to suggest alternatives that will be more suited to you and your pet.

Book services at least 2 weeks in advance.
Whenever possible, call your pet sitter at least 2 weeks prior to the time you'll need their services. For pet sitting services during the holidays, even more notice is advisable since most pet sitters end up turning clients away at this time of year. Please don't assume that because you've used a particular pet sitter in the past that she'll have room for you if you call at the last minute.

Cancel services as far in advance as possible.
Everyone knows that things happen and that plans change at the last minute, but whenever possible be sure to cancel with your pet sitter or dog walker as soon as you know you won't need their services. In essence, you have reserved a certain amount of time with your pet care provider; time they cannot spend with someone else's pets. The courtesy of canceling early allows them to book someone else at that time. Keep in mind, that many dog walkers and pet sitters will charge a fee if cancellation is made within a certain number of days of the scheduled service, so be sure to ask about their cancellation policy.

Be flexible with your requests.
While your pet care professional's goal may very likely be to give you and your pets such wonderful service that you'll feel like you're her only client, chances are she has many others. When you speak with her, let your preferences be known but know that flexibility is the key. Her goal is to give you and your pets the best possible care. Although it may be your preference to have someone visit your pets at 7 a.m. sharp every morning during your absence, she may have five or six other morning clients and will need to schedule her visits according to route, pets' needs, and time. And at any time, unforeseen circumstances may arise that would prevent your pet sitter or dog walker from arriving at the exact specified time. Rest assured though, they will do their best to see to it that your needs and preferences are met.

Understand that extra services require extra time.
Pet sitters and dog walkers are constantly budgeting their time and readjusting their schedule to accommodate things that come up unexpectedly. And while many will offer to do extras to make your home look lived in, their main focus is on your pets. Unless you've spoken with your pet sitter in advance about additional services, don't assume she'll be available to do them if you leave a laundry list of items without asking first. It puts her in an uncomfortable position, and because of time involved, could compromise the time she spends with your pets.
While most pet sitters are more than happy to do extra services on occasion, keep in mind that there may be extra charges involved. It's not that your pet sitter is trying to nickel and dime you, but some tasks that take you no time at all, may take more time for her simply because they're not routine tasks for her.

Inform your pet sitter or dog walker of any houseguests.
If anyone will be in your home while you're away, discuss it with your pet sitter or dog walker. Many will not enter a home if they see someone is at your home that they don't know or aren't expecting. At first this may seem unreasonable but there are some very good reasons why pet sitters have this policy.
The number one issue is safety, for the pet sitter and for your pets. If your pet sitter or dog walker were to walk into a home that's being robbed it could prove deadly. He or she may also walk in on someone who is at the home for legitimate reasons, creating at best an awkward encounter, requiring an explanation by both parties.
In addition to the safety reasons for not wanting to enter a home when someone is there, it puts your pet sitter in an uncomfortable position if your houseguest says they'll care for your pets. They may mean well, but keep in mind that you've contracted service with your pet sitter or dog walker, and the decision to cancel that service can only come from you unless you've made other arrangements with your pet care provider.

Confirm your travel plans and pet sitting services.
Call or TEXT your pet sitter before you leave town as one last confirmation that your trip is going as scheduled. There have been cases involving pet owners booking the wrong dates by mistake, or the pet care business adding them to their calendar on the incorrect dates. Calling your pet sitter just before you leave will ensure that you both have the correct dates.

Be sure your pet sitter or dog walker has the necessities.
Make sure you leave enough food, medications, treats, or other food items your pet will need while you're away. Other supplies that your pet sitter may need might include paper towels, leashes, carrying cases or other items. See our Pet Owner's Checklist to help jog your memory.

Keep your pet sitter, dog walker, or dog daycare informed of any changes.
If you call on the services of a professional pet care business repeatedly, you'll want to be sure they are aware of any changes in your pets' health, feeding instructions, or behavior. It's also important to inform them of any changes in your home such as a new alarm system, new keys, lighting, etc.

Pay your pet care bill as agreed.
Many pet sitting businesses will require payment to be left for them to pick up on their first visit with your pets. Dog walkers and dog daycares often request payment in advance. Find out what the policy is for the pet care business that will be caring for your pets and be sure to pay your bill as requested. If it becomes necessary to contract last minute or extra services, be sure to check what the payment method will be for those as well, as they may be handled differently than regularly scheduled services.

If you have concerns, contact your pet care provider as soon as possible.
Whether you return home after a two-week vacation or a long day at work and notice something that concerns you, call your pet care professional immediately. You and the person caring for your pets will be better able to help resolve any issues or misunderstandings if you're able to talk about it while it's fresh in your minds.
Chances are pretty good that your pets have already won the hearts of the person who'll be taking care of them. With a little bit of planning and understanding you can do the same!

Kelly's Pet Sitting is a Licensed Business, Insured and Bonded to protect your pets and home, as well as Pet First Aid Trained. We offer pet sitting in your home for cats, dogs and other pets, dog walking and overnight house and pet sitting.  Call us today and find out why so many clients feel they couldn't do without us!  541-601-7461

Text courtesy of  Pet Sit USA

THE DAILY DOG WALK-3 Ways Kelly's Pet Sitting Can Help You With Your Dog's Mental and Physical Needs

Posted on 29 July, 2014 at 15:56 Comments comments (99)
THE DAILY DOG WALK-    3 Ways Kelly's Pet Sitting Can Help You With Your Dog's Mental and Physical Needs

OK, I know we are all so busy these days and we really do care about our pets well-being. But ask yourself: Do you walk your dog daily or have a dog walker? Have you thought about the benefits? Even if you have a big back yard with plenty of room for your dog to run in, that is simply not enough. Here are some of the reasons your dog should be walked every day. Daily dog walks provide many health benefits for your dog. It also results in improved behavior and strengthens the bond between you and your faithful furry friend. Read on to learn more.

One benefit to walking your dog every day is that exercise keeps him physically healthy. Just like you, your dog needs daily exercise to build strong bones and muscles. Strong bones and muscles aid in mobility and reduce your dog’s risk of osteoarthritis as he ages. Weak bones make your dog more susceptible to falls and fractures. Exercise also keeps your dog healthy by keeping his weight under control. An overweight dog is more likely to develop other medical issues such as cardiovascular disease, liver disease and insulin resistance. So, the daily dog walks result in better health and longevity. Who doesn’t want their beloved companion around as long as possible?

Another benefit to walking your dog every day is that it stimulates him mentally. He needs to be out of his yard, be able to sniff and experience a different environment. This can reduce destructive and frustrated behavior. Let’s face it, dogs instinctively scavenge, hunt, and explore. If they’re allowed to receive the physical and mental exercise from a good walk that allows them to explore the sights and sounds as nature intended, it releases pent up energy resulting a calm, better behaved dog. The reduction of excess energy will make your pooch less likely to chew on your favorite shoes, furniture, or other items when you’re not at home. Dogs that exercise spend less time demanding human attention in inappropriate ways such as incessant barking and whining, jumping on people and restlessness at bedtime when you need your beauty sleep. A calm dog results in a more lovable and enjoyable companion.

An additional benefit to walking your dog every day is that it aids in the socialization process. All dogs must be socialized, not just puppies. One of the best ways to accomplish this is on a walk where he can be exposed to the sights and sounds of the world. Neglecting to socialize your dog will result in a fearful dog that responds to people and noise as a threat. This will produce other undesirable, territorial behaviors such as constant barking and possibly attempts at biting other people and animals. Dogs are social creatures and naturally crave interaction. If you help him out by taking him for walks, he will develop the confidence and trust to interact in the world around him. Just like humans, dogs need to be socialized starting at a young age.

In conclusion, daily dog walks make for a happier, healthier canine companion. Provide your dog with daily dog walks, and he’ll give you many years of love and devotion in return. That is a small price to pay, don’t you agree? Many of us work long hours during the day and are too tired to provide the much needed mental and physical release that a dog walk provides. Do yourself, and your pup a favor and contact Kelly's Pet Sitting in Medford, Oregon. We also do pet sitting, dog walking, and overnight house/pet sitting while you are on vacation. 541-601-7461

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