The joy that comes with owning pets can sometimes be inexplicable. Pet owners establish such a strong bond with their pets that going away even for a few hours brings anguish for both the pet owner and the pet. And yet life has to go on, even with pets around. You must run errands, go for meetings, go to work, and sometimes travel out of town either for work, business or leisure. Such moments call upon you to rely on pet sitting services to ensure that your pet does not feel neglected while you’re away. With a pet sitter, your pets stay in their usual environment, meaning they don’t suffer the anxiety and stress attacks that come with being ferried to a new environment.

If you’ve used pet sitting services in the UK before, you probably already know what to expect and how to sieve your way to the perfect sitter for a smooth experience. If you’re looking to hire a sitter for the first time, there are a few basic things you should bear in mind. We walk you through them below.

Pet training – You want to hire someone who has undergone pet training of some sort. They should be comfortable handling pets and have basic pet first aid. The last thing you want to do is leave your adored pets with someone who doesn’t know the first thing about normal pet behaviour, because, how will know when something is wrong with your furry ones? Numerous institutes offer training on pet care and accreditation from recognised bodies such as the Pet Education Training & Behaviour Council of Great Britain and IVCAS.

Experience in handling pets – And especially if they have handled your type of pets. You’ll have better peace of mind knowing the person in whose hands you’ve left your pets has the skills needed to take good care of your pet when you’re gone. If the pet sitter does not have much previous experience, you may still consider them for the job, particularly if they’ve undergone training and appear confident during your initial consultation ad meet-the-pets session. In some cases, individuals who are passionate about pet sitting may be starting out and need someone to trust them with that first job. Another way to navigate the doubts is to have the sitter spend some time with the pets when you’re nearby. Then you can observe how they relate with the pets and decide whether hiring them is a good decision.

Pet sitting insurance – The ideal pet sitter should have pet sitting insurance; no serious sitter will seek a contract without sufficient insurance and other credentials in place.

Professional body membership – Like any other professionals, serious pet sitters are members of a recognised pet sitting body. Call the body they’re affiliated with for confirmation of membership and verification of their credentials and ability.

Above all, learn to trust your gut when it comes to hiring pet sitters. Study their mannerisms when you meet them for the first time, taking note of their attitude and how they react to your pets on first sight and contact. Then you’ll know if they’re right for the task or not.