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Why Use Professional Sitters/Nannies?

Pet sitting is more like being a nanny than being a baby sitter. We go beyond simply cleaning litter boxes and providing essential food and water. We also monitor pets’ general health, administer any necessary medications, take care of grooming needs, replenish necessary supplies, handle medical emergencies, and diffuse potentially dangerous situations between our clients' dogs and unfamiliar dogs or people.

Imagine: What if you ask a friend to look after your cat and this friend only stops by every 2 or 3 days to plop down food and water. What happens if your cat knocks over the water bowl and becomes dehydrated? (Cats internal organs begin to fail if they go more than 24 hours without water.) What happens when the litter box gets so full that the cat decides to use your favorite rug instead of his box? What if the dog injures herself and needs to be taken to the vet while you are gone? What if there’s a power outage and the furnace or air conditioner no longer provide a comfortable environment for the animals? What if the friend accidentally spills a drink that stains your carpet? Each of these scenarios would be non-issues if you had worked with a professional pet sitter/nanny instead of relying on a friend. We carry pet sitter insurance and know how to professionally and calmly handle unexpected situations.

Why work with a professional pet sitter/nanny?

• Professionals know what to do during veterinary medical emergencies. For your peace of mind and your pets' safety, I am American Red Cross Certified in pet first aid and CPR.
• Professionals know what information is needed when caring for your pets, including having a Veterinary Release Form and knowing where to find cleaning supplies & emergency kits. We also ask about pets’ play preferences, exercise & meal schedules, commands recognized, and personality quirks.
• You won’t be inconveniencing neighbors or friends. Sure, they may want to do you a favor and may genuinely like your pets, but will they adjust their schedules so that your pets experience as little anxiety and stress as possible during your absence?
• Using insured care-givers means that you would not be held responsible if your pets caused injury or property damage. Pet sitter insurance (which I carry) protects you and provides you with legal recourse if your property is damaged, your pets are injured, or your pets cause property damage or injury to others. Click here to read more about pet sitter insurance.
• Dedicated sitters/nannies will not skip scheduled visits with your pets.
• Keeping your pets in their normal environment and on regular routines will lessen the stress caused by your absence.
• Professionals notice subtle cues about animals' health & stress, including the contents of litter boxes. (Stool changes may indicate the need for a veterinary visit.) Responding to symptoms early prevents serious medical issues.
• Your pets receive personal attention and lots of exercise while in a sitter's/nanny's care. Insufficient attention can lead to depression when combined with your absence. Will neighbors who stop in to feed your pets also play with them and groom them? If they do not, what recourse do you have? If you use a kennel, does it allow pets out of the cages? (If so, for how many minutes each day?)
• For pets who need medication, professionals make sure they never miss a dose.
• Professionals have contingency plans for unexpected events. We handle emergencies and mitigate problems such as water leaks, weather related property damage, or other situations that would be costly if unattended. We are your eyes and ears at home while you are away
• Regular activity around your home is a great crime deterrent. Sitters/nannies alternate lighting and window coverings. Some of us also offer overnight visits which add to that lived-in look.
• Trusted friends and relatives are familiar with your home and might love your pets dearly. However, most people tend to lose motivation after a few days. At that point, they provide the necessities, but let the details slide. Less diligent litter box cleaning can result in cats looking for alternatives. Water dishes become slimy and mucky after a day or two of not being washed. Accidents might not be cleaned up quickly, resulting in lingering stains and odors. Minor details like water shut-off valve or fuse box locations could end up being major issues in emergency situations. Some people might make a judgment call that hurts your pets, such as using an excessive amount of a toxic cleaner that is ingested by your pet. Competent professionals are familiar with and avoid exposing pets to common household toxins.

What are the advantages of using pet sitters compared to boarding kennels?

• Pets are free to play, sleep, eat, or roam freely around the house, unlike at boarding kennels.
• Your pets receive personal attention and lots of exercise while in a sitter's/nanny's care. Insufficient attention can lead to depression when combined with your absence. Will kennel staff also play with them and groom them? Does the kennel allow pets out of the cages? If so, for how many minutes each day?
• Boarding kennels present an increased risk of exposure to illnesses and parasites.
• Regular activity around your home is a great crime deterrent. Sitters/nannies alternate lighting and window coverings. Some of us also offer overnight visits which add to that lived-in look.
• You do not have to transport pets to & from a kennel, so they won’t suffer from “travel trauma”. When animals return home, they usually need several days to readjust after being boarded in kennels before they seem like themselves again.
• Kennel noise & activity overwhelms many dogs & most cats because they have an especially hard time adapting to new environments. It is unnerving to be left in a place with unfamiliar noises, smells, people, and other anxious animals. When feeling abandoned by their human family, they are more comfortable staying in their own home.
• Even at top notch kennels, pets can become nervous wrecks. Being left in a strange noisy place with frenetic activity can traumatize pets who are shy, nervous, or have had traumatic experiences with humans.
• Some kennels are caged facilities with strict limits on how much attention each animal receives. Some only allow pets outside of their cages only briefly and charge extra for that privilege.
• Pet owners must pick up and drop off animals during kennel hours, which can lead to a delay your pets’ return home.

Why work with Kari Kells?

When you can't be there to take care of your pets, I'm the next best thing. I treat my clients’ pets as unique individuals who are part of my extended family. I take their lead as I get to know them, making sure to not overwhelm shy pets or neglect more gregarious ones.

For your pets' safety and your peace of mind, I am:

• American Red Cross Certified in pet first aid and CPR.
• A member of National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). I enthusiastically agree to abide by their Pledge of Professional Conduct.
• Fully insured through Pet Sitters Associates, LLC. This protects you and provides you with legal recourse if your property is damaged, your pets are injured, or your pets cause property damage or injury to others. Click here to read more about pet sitter insurance.
• Licensed.
• The Knowledge and Research Manager for Mud Bay, Inc, the largest independent pet retailer in the Pacific Northwest. It is focused on healthy, organic, non-toxic food and supplies. Mud Bay is well-known for its knowledgable staff, who are required to take courses in dog and cat nutrition and behavior. My job is to research, write and edit articles on a wide variety of topics within the fields of dog and cat nutrition, health, behavior and care. For example, in the course of just one week I researched and wrote about toxic plants, nutritional approaches to managing seizures in dogs, low-carb vs. grain-free pet foods, supplements and diets for FIV+ cats, and foods that are ideal for cats with early stages of renal failure. This job presents me with opportunities to learn a lot about dog and cat health issues.

I specialize in working with pets who are shy or who have been traumatized. Not all pet lovers are sensitive to the unique needs of traumatized pets. We all have the pets’ best interests in mind, but some people misunderstand the behaviors exhibited by shy and traumatized cats and dogs. Their fears and anxieties are more pronounced when their routines are varied, such as when their families are away from home.

My experience with rescued cats has convinced me of the importance of being sensitive to pets’ individual needs. Some dogs make a lot of eye contact while others don't, and some cats understand the word "din-din" while others don't. When we first meet, I'll ask questions about your pets’ personalities and temperaments, their favorite toys and activities, words they recognize, and routines they’re used to. As I build relationships with them, I'll pay close attention to their wants and needs.

I GoodSearch for Feline Friends!