8 Reasons Pet Sitters are Better Than Kennels

Did you know that here at Daniel Island Dog Walking we offer awesome Pet Sitting services?

We know how hard it is to leave your dogs or cats behind when you go on a vacation, and seeing their eyes when you put them in a kennel is just a heart breaker.

Here’s the top 10 reasons to choose Daniel Island Dog Walking for all your pet sitting needs:

1.  We are local and trusted.  When you are searching for a pet sitting service, isn’t that the first thing you think about?  “Who are these people?” and “Can I really trust them to take care of my dog or cat while I’m away?”  That’s the main reason that we started pet sitting here on Daniel Island, because we couldn’t find anyone that we truly trusted to take care of our pets while we went on a cruise.  We know how hard it is to feel comfortable enough with someone to leave your dogs and cats with them.  Well, we are a local married couple who don’t drink or smoke, and have never ever missed a visit for dog walking or pet sitting.  You can rest assured that your pets will be loved and looked after with us.
2. For some pets, boarding can be a traumatic experience. Rescue pets are especially prone to separation anxiety; being in a kennel with other dogs can bring back memories of shelter abandonment.  For the times you can’t take Fido with you, trust his care to a professional pet sitter.  Even non-rescue pets get stressed by boarding – if you were trapped in a stall with dozens of barking dogs, you’d freak out too! And although kennels and boarding facilities promise quality play time, no one provides as much one-on-one attention as your pup would like. Pet sitters allow care to be provided in the home, with minimal exposure to stress.
3. When you hire a friend, you never know quite what you’re going to get. Will they take the time to find your cat if she’s hiding? Will they make an effort to actively engage with her? Or will they simply scoop some food into her bowl then plop down on your couch to watch television for 20 minutes?When you hire a professional sitter, you’ll get to be a part of a discussion to establish how often they should visit your home, how long they should stay, and what you expect from them. In addition to the basics (feeding, cleaning the litter box), a professional sitter will make sure to get a good visual of your cat to check for any injuries, stress, or behavior red-flags.
4. Changing environments is tough on dogs and cats.  Boarding kennels do everything your dog needs – walks, bathroom breaks, playtime, meals. The problem is, they do it on their schedule. Some pets are especially schedule-happy and crave the consistency of a daily routine. Puppies, pets with anxiety, and senior dogs can all benefit from the inevitability of routine

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5. When you hire a pet sitter, make sure you write down your dog’s daily feeding, potty and play schedule! In addition to providing one-on-one time to your pet, a pet sitter will often take notes on your dog’s behavior or send you updates. The amount of communication you have with a pet sitter is up to you, which helicopter pet parents may find especially awesome.

6. Ease of Mind…When you’re on vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is your pet. Getting a professional pet sitter relieves family and friends of responsibility. Although your coworker said she’d remember to let Fido out at 4:30pm today, did she?Pet sitters are reliable and punctual – their jobs depend on it. While boarding kennels get the job done, they do it on their terms and time. Fido will appreciate a pet sitter’s friendliness and attentiveness, and be a little less likely to give you the cold shoulder when you return.
7. You get photos of your pet on every visit.  Whether you choose 3 or 4 visits a day, you can feel assured that everything is going well when your pet sitter sends you a couple of photos from each visit.  Photos cover so many bases… first of all, you know that your dog is getting walked as planned.  We always send a picture from the farthest spot we walk to with your dog, so that you can see with your own eyes that we are taking a nice, long walk with your pet.
8. We have made it our job to take loving care of your furry friend while pet sitting.  People generally don’t get into the pet sitting business by accident. They become pet sitters because they love animals and want to devote their lives to spending time with and caring for them. A professional sitter will have the experience to understand your cat’s subtle behavior cues and have the skills to help your cat feel more safe and relaxed in your absence.
9. You are hiring us for our experience.  We have rave reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook.  All of our clients love to know that they can give us a call here ant Daniel Island Dog Walking, and they will get pet sitters that they can count on to give tons of love, care and exercise to their pets.