Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why use an In-home pet sitter?
A. Having your pet cared for in your own home can mean:
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A reduction in stress for your pet (and you)
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No need to transport pet
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Minimized exposure to illnesses and parasites from exposure to other animals
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Less rigorous vaccination requirements than those necessary at a kennel.
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Pets can stay on regular routines
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There is no need to adapt to a new environment
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Convenience for pets with health problems and mobility issues due to arthritis, dysplasia, incontinence, etc.
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You have already chosen the best and kindest option
for your pet by choosing professional in-home care.
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“Many veterinarians and pet experts believe that keeping pets in their familiar surroundings helps to alleviate the stress imposed when their owners have to leave home. Pets are then also able to maintain their diet and exercise routine, and enjoy the personal attention provided by a pet sitter. This also eliminates the trauma of being transported and minimises their exposure to illnesses of other animals.”
Colleen Sedgewick - The Pet Nanny Coach
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**When in-home isn't possible (e.g. renovations) The Pet Nannies Ltd can provide one on one boarding care in a Pet Nanny's home.
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Q. What is the difference between a professional pet sitter and a hobby pet sitter?
A. Professional pet carers have:
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Liability insurance
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A service contract
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Detailed information about your pet
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Ongoing pet care training including animal first aid
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Your pets as their priority as it is their career
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Accountability to a professional society
Hobby pet carers:
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Are not a business
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Do not have insurance coverage or have limited coverage under a web listing service (e.g. Pawshake)
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Won't take many details about your pet
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Usually will do pet sitting as a side gig
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May not have any qualifications related to animal care
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Q. Why does a professional Pet Sitter cost more?
A. A professional pet sitter pays for
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Liability insurance to protect you and their employees
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Membership in related professional organizations
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Education and training of employees in pet first aid, pet CPR, pet safety, pet behaviors, pet training techniques.
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Resources for continuing education and keeping up to date on skills and standards of the industry.
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Specialised pet sitting software
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Legal advice for contracts and policies in order to protect you and the company
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Quality tools of the trade, cleaning equipment and uniforms
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Recruitment expenses
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Expenses just like every other legitimate business.
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Pet sitting is our business and one that has value over cost. All professionals charge for their time and experience. They are worth it. Professional pet sitters are no different.
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Q. What Services do you offer?
A. We are open to any needs your pet may have, as well as our list of services we already provide. We also can care for all types of pets and even some farm animals. We travel to clients houses and provide care to their pets in the most loving, safe and stress-less way we can while also providing home security services. Part of this care is exercise for all pets and walking for dogs.
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We provide private pet transport services which can include visits to pet appointments with a Pet Nanny, door to door transfers and also private or shared long distance door to door transport for your pet. We include semen transport to breeders in this service.
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We have a range of pet products for sale through our web page too!
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Q. What kinds of animals can you care for?
A. From farm animals to insects we can care for all animals as long as they are not too aggressive or hard to manage.
Elderly, very young, sick, post surgery or special needs pets are all welcome.
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Q. Can you care for my home if I don't have a pet?
A. Yes of course! We can provide a daily security check of your home, water plants, turn lights on or off, draw curtains or put out your bins. As usual with total discretion (only the sitter and I will know you're not home at all times) and with no car advertising or uniforms.
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Q. How do I get started with The Pet Nannies Ltd?
A. Register on our convenient client portal
https://www.timetopet.com/portal/thepetnannies/create-account.
Alternatively call Jan in the office 0211619640 or email her thepetnanniesnz@gmail.com and we can discuss your needs and take you through the registration process. We then book your complimentary Meet & Greet with your Pet nanny and our Manager who will be the back up sitter. You will never have a stranger in your house, you meet everyone!
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A. This visit is compulsory before the start of a client's first ever booking with The Pet Nannies. It is attended by your allocated Pet Nanny and a Pet Nannies Manager, who will be the carers back up if ever your carer cannot attend a visit. The reason for this is to ensure you always know who is visiting your pets.
The Meet & Greet is beneficial for many reasons and it is free!
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It allows our clients and their pet/s to get to know us and their allocated carer.
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The client has a chance to discuss their service choices and get questions answered face to face.
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Our carer can spend time with your pet, ensure it is a good match and also ask questions.
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It is the best way for the client to communicate and demonstrate all the information about the pet/s sit e.g. the pet's routines, food storage, where the leashes are kept, toileting habits and areas the pet is not allowed etc.
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If possible we will give the pet/s a brief medical check over so that we have a benchmark to go by should the pet’s state change while under our care, and also to ensure there are no obvious health issues before the client leaves home.
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We can all brainstorm any issues that arise from the meeting.
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It is the best way for the client to communicate and demonstrate all the information about their home we need to know, as we are also providing a home security service when we visit.
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We will test entry methods and alarm codes and decide on key management. We can assess any safety issues for our sitter
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Q. Are your sitters contractors or employees?
A. The Pet Nannies are all employees of The Pet Nannies Ltd & as such receive the same training and follow the same pet care and safety procedures. I feel it is important to provide consistency across the team and that our procedures are best practise for each service.
Before a Pet nanny can start work they must complete our Pet First Aid Course and from there they can continue training in pet care and animal behaviour through us.
As the Director and certified Pet Sitter, I am always remotely supervising when the Nannies are working & they can always get hold of me for advice, information or assistance. As employees we support each other in our work, especially if there is a problem or an emergency where we all pitch in to get the best outcome for your pets.
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Q. Is my home & information safe?
A. Yes.
Your home is safer with us providing home security with every visit.
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The Pet Nannies employees are police checked before being employed
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Your information is kept in our secure software and paper copies are kept in a locked filing cabinet in case of power outages, natural disasters and emergencies.
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We actively check the security of your home rather than assuming it just by being there.
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Our sitters are discrete, do not wear uniforms and their cars are not marked so it will not be obvious that you are away from home.
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Our sitters are forbidden to share any details of their work locations to anyone, including their family members. This includes not having anyone else with them, even sitting in the car, when they visit your home.
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We will keep your keys safe and unmarked, we encourage the use of lock boxes to keep your keys/key-cards always in your possession.
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We will be providing lock boxes at a reduced price in the future
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A. Yes.
The Pet Nannies are all employees of The Pet Nannies Ltd & as such receive the same training and follow the same pet care and safety procedures. I feel it is important to provide consistency across the team and that our procedures are best practise for each service.
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Before a Pet nanny can start work they must complete our Pet First Aid Course and from there they can continue training in pet care and animal behaviour through us.
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Our software has alerts to let the Managers and sitters know if a sitter is late to sign in or out of a visit. This means that if something has happened to the sitter we can investigate for their safety and also ensure your pet has their visit as scheduled.
As the Director and certified Pet Sitter I am always remotely supervising when the Nannies are working & they can always get hold of me for advice, information or assistance. As employees we support each other in our work, especially if there is a problem or an emergency where we all pitch in to get the best outcome for your pets.
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