Many years ago, for my first ever pet sitter experience, I used a pet sitter recommended by a friend who had used her services for 2 years.  My friend found her through her vet's office.  She and I met, she connected with my cats, said all the right things, asked all the right questions.  And, we were good to go.

I left town for a weekend (out Friday night, home Sunday night), and asked the friend who'd recommended the pet sitter to pop in on my house and my cats both days, just to be sure.  I'd done the same for her the first time she'd used this pet sitter and everything was fine, then -- food, water, boxes clean, visit journal on the counter, etc. And, I'd called my friend both days to make sure everything was okay and she told me everything was fine -- she'd looked in on the cats, gave them a snack, everything was good.

So, so sure I'd covered all the bases.  I enjoyed my weekend visiting my friend in Chicago.

I came home from a relaxing, fun trip to discover within seconds of my return that the pet sitter did not show up the entire weekend.  And, in a sad comedy of errors, my friend, did not notice the depleting water supply (there was about 2 inches of water left in the bowls) and the increasing number of scoopable litter clumps in the cat boxes and the lack of any evidence of empty food cans or dirty utensils that were right under her nose.  She did at least give them a dry food snack -- so they had some food.

I will never forget that feeling of realizing bit-by-bit what had happened to my cats that weekend.  Words cannot begin to describe!  I don't know that I have ever been so angry, or horrified, before or since.  And, of course, I felt like I'd let my pets down -- I am responsible and I am their caregiver.  What a feeling.

My friend and I had quite a chat (makes me wonder how often the pet sitter had actually looked in on her cats when she was supposed to), the "alleged pet sitter" got an earful from me, and my friend never used her again and also notified the vet who'd recommended her.

Since that experience, I've wised-up. I didn't know at the time that a local professional pet sitter association existed or that they had a website.  I did a little checking and I used the Central Ohio Professional Pet Sitters Association member list to connect with two qualified, caring, and fabulous pet sitters.  (I have a main pet sitter and a back-up pet sitter).  And, I call the pet sitter the first couple days I'm on a trip just to see how things are!  And... now...I am a part of the Central Ohio Professional Pet Sitters Association, too!

Learn from me!  No matter who you choose to care for your pets, make sure they belong to a local professional pet sitter association!  And, don't hesitate for a split-second to call your pet sitter to check in.