AAA Pet Care Pros, Ltd
Full Service Pet Care. We take care of your pets like they are our own.
Home
Services
Dog Walking
Pet Food Delivery
Pet Sitting
Pet Taxis
Pet Waste Removal
Service Request
Pet Ownership
Stores
Duke's Kid's Club
About Us
Links/Associations
 
                                         
 
 
 Choosing A Pet Sitter Advice from the Humane Society 
 
The Pros and Cons of Kenneling (Boarding) vs. Getting a Pet Sitter for Your Dog Advice from PetPlace.com
 
Become A Great Client - Advice for you in working with a pet sitter/dog walker.
 
FAQ for Pet Sitting         

 

Q: What is pet sitting?
A: Pet sitting is a term used when a person comes to your home to care for your pet in your absence. Pet sitting in the sitters home is technically not pet sitting but is referred to as boarding or day care.
Q: How does it work?
A: Once a customer is registered with us, we will provide service to your pet(s) in your absence.  This absence may be just during the day while you work or it may be for a full day, days, a week or weeks.
Q: How much does your pet sitting service cost?
A: Pet Sitting service starts at $12.00 for a 20 minute pet sit for 1 pet.
Q: What services do you perform while pet sitting?
A: What we do during a normal pet sit:
*Give your pet(s) the food and quantity you specify
*Give your pet(s) clean, fresh water
*Clean the food and water bowls
*Clean up any accidents or messes which your pet(s) made
*Clean your cat(s) litter box
*Clean up the daily dog waste
*Brush your pet(s) and check for any injuries, sores, etc.
*Play with your pet(s)
*Give your pet(s) lots of lovin'
*Administer medications if required
*Give your dog(s) a potty break and/or a brief walk
*Make sure all gates are closed and secure
*Make sure all exits are closed and secure
*Check home for any obvious disturbances
*Verify the comfort level (heat, A/C, etc.) is adequate for the welfare of your pet(s)
*Bring in your mail and newspapers to give the appearance of being lived in 
*Flush toilets to give the appearance of being lived in
*Water plants (if requested, provided they are all in one protected area)
*Reset security system, if you have one
*Leave notes as to the conditon of your pets(s), their behavior, etc.
*Rotate lights to give the appearance of being lived in
*Make sure house is secure upon leaving
 
The main purpose of pet sitting is to care for your pet(s.)  If your pet shows signs of illness or in need of medical attention, we will take your pet to your vet or the nearest animal hospital.  You must make prior arrangements for payment for emergencies with your vet and/or nearest animal hospital.   
Q: What will you not do during pet sitting?
A:  Our pet sitters are not allowed to have alcoholic beverages on your property nor are they allowed to smoke on your property.  If they are staying overnight, they will bring their own food but they are not allowed to consume your food or beverages.
 
Pet sitters are not allowed to bring any other animal onto your property nor any other person into your home. They are not allowed to use your phone except to call you, our company or for an emergency.
 
While pet sitters are free to accept unsolicted tips from you they are not allowed to request payment for their services in cash nor request checks payable to themselves nor request credit card information from you (this info should only be given to the office.) 
 
We will not knowingly put ourselves nor your pet(s) in harms way.  We will not attempt to care for an animal which is aggressive or who has a history of aggression, attacking or biting people or other animals. 
 
We will not perform any task requested of us which would violate our moral or ethical standards and we will not knowingly violate any laws or ordinances.  
Q: What areas do you serve?
A: Currently we serve Collinsville, IL and the surrounding area.
Q: What qualifications do you have?
A: Certified Pet Sitter, Instructor in Pet First Aid/CPR.
Q: What requirements must be met to qualify for your service?
 
Click on Service Request  and send us  an email requesting pet sitting service or call us at 618-482-8680 and leave a message if we do not answer. We will attempt to respond within 48 hours.  If you are planning a vacation, you should contact us well in advance and get set up.  We must have all paperwork in place before service can be extended.  Once you are registered, we will attempt to extend service within 72 hours but cannot guaranteed it due to scheduling restrictions.  
A: If you will be absent for 24 hours or more, a dog usually requires 3 visits per day and a cat will require 1 visit per day.  
 
Generally, in the morning between 7 am and 9 am, we will make a morning visit. Generally, in the afternoon between, 11 am and 1 pm we will make an afternoon visit and in the evening between 4 pm and 7 pm we will make an evening visit. Many times we can be flexible on these times.  Overnight visit are generally from 9 pm until 7am the next morning. 
 
If you will not be gone for 24 hours or more, but you need us to check on your dog or allow for a potty break or feeding, then the above times will generally apply for a morning, afternoon or evening visit.  Exceptions may be made to times before 7am or after 7 pm but extra charges may apply. Pet sitting on major holidays will be accomodated at an additional charge.  Other smaller animals will be accomodated as needed with a minimum of one visit within a 24 hour period.
 
Q: How do I pay for your pet sitting service?
A: We require payment in full prior to your pet setting date.  If you will be using our service on a regular basis for occasional potty breaks or feedings, you can place a deposit with us that we will apply to services when you call.  If we are required to perform services which were not paid for in advance (ie., purchase dog food because you ran out,) you will be required to submit payment to us upon your return.
 
Q: Isn't Doggie Day Care better than pet sitting?
A: There is a need for both pet sitting and doggie day care in our busy world today. What a lot of pet owners that utilize a day care program may not realize is that many dogs simply are not comfortable around other dogs. Even though dogs are pack animals when they become a member of your family that group becomes their "pack" and they find their place in your pack.
 
Some dogs are very social and friendly and enjoy interacting with people and other dogs but many simply don't want to be bothered with a bunch of barking dogs all day. Some are frightened and anxious about the situation. It stresses them out just like it would stress many of us. Some dogs must be kept away from the other dogs for safety reasons and don't get the advantage of that socialization anyway. Some dogs like the interaction of other dogs on a short term basis but all day away from home is just too much for them. 
 
Remember that dogs by nature sleep a lot. A typical dog will sleep 12-13 hours a day and large breed dogs can sleep 16-18 hours a day, so sleep is a very important part of a dog's day.  Also, dogs come and dogs go and so the group is constantly changing. 
 
Employee turn over in many day cares is also great due to low pay so the care givers are constantly changing and there is less personal one on one time. The pet owner must also take the time and effort to get the dog or dogs loaded up in the car and taken to the day care and then pick them up.  The hours for day care like child care are usually fixed so if you have to work overtime picking up your dog may be a problem.  The dog is also exposed to things that would not be an issue if left in the home. 
 
So which do you choose?? Obviously it will depend on your needs and those of your pet. 
 
Here are some of the advantages of a pet sitter coming into your home:
1)  The pet remains in familiar surroundings - same bed, same smells, same toys, same food dish, same water dish, etc.
2)  If there is more than one pet in the home, the cost of pet sitting can be much less.
3)  If you have other pets in addition to your dog(s), the pet sitting can generally accomodate all.
4)  The pet is not exposed to the possible diseases of other pets and less likely to suffer an injury from a strange dog.
5)  The dog(s) does not have to be taken in the car (which is sometimes very stressful in itself for some dogs.)
6)  The pet owner is not inconvenienced in having to take and pick up the dog(s).
7)  The pet owner does not have to worry if running a little late getting to the day care.
8)  The pet gets one on one personal attention from the pet sitter.  The pet sitter does not have to deal with 20 or 30 dogs at a time.
9)  The pet sitter and pet can develop a trusting relationship.  Even where more than one pet sitter is involved it is still fewer people (and hopefully much less turn over) than a pet encounters at a day care.
10)  The pet sitter(s) and pet owners have more of a relationship.