“Rover Pet Sitter Lost Her Dog and Was Billed for it”
As technological advances make it easier than ever for “businesses” to offer services through a few clicks of a mouse, we are seeing more and more horror stories in the pet sitting industry. So many apps acting as the middle man between client and pet sitter are popping up everywhere. This leads to the false assumption among pet parents that the same securities of hiring a professional pet sitting company in their town will be afforded to them when hiring independent contractors via a middleman app. This is completely false. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that you hire a professional. Here’s why.
Risk of Pet Sitting Apps
Pet Sitting Apps are convenient, but come with little protection. Take this case as reported by NBC Los Angeles, “Pet Sitter Hired Via App Lost her Dog, Then Was Billed for It”. After a woman hired a pet sitter via a popular pet sitting app and went off on vacation, her dog was lost. She wasn’t notified until many hours later after the incident. Furthermore, the “middle man” company did little in terms of help, reassurance or anything at all. While on her flight back, friends jumped into action and located her dog almost 24 hours late. Shockingly enough, the pet parent was then hit with a massive bill by the popular pet sitting app. According to lawyer Todd Friedman, “You’re basically signing all of your rights away” when you enlist the services of a pet sitter via these popular apps. He went on to say that you are agreeing to it as stated in their terms and conditions. This is one of too many horror stories out there.
Experience, Licensing, Insurance
The benefits to hiring a professional pet sitter can be dumbed down to three words: peace of mind. How? A professional pet sitter will come with years of experience, licensing and insurance.
Experience
Many people shake their heads at the thought of hiring a professional to pet sit for their pets. Many people may grumble silently or aloud, “How hard is it to walk and feed a dog?” The truth is, it’s not – until it is. A professional pet sitter has seen it all. Illness of pets, dogs that have maneuvered out of their electronic fencing, house floods, and much more. However, they are prepared for it. While it’s not a pleasurable experience, a professional knows that to do in any given emergency and has not only a backup plan, but a network of resources at their fingertips.
The experience of a professional pet sitter will also come with local references right within your community. Reviews can be found via their online presence on social media and/or the pet sitter’s website. Simply put, a track record of happy customers, both human and furry will follow the pet sitter. This, of course, is how the professional pet sitter wants it because it’s their bread and butter, their livelihood.
Licensing and Insurance
Pet Sitters, or any other business worth their weight in gold, will be legally licensed to operate. This small detail is just one of many that show the professional pet sitter literally means “business”. A business license shows that company xyz has legal authority to operate within a certain city and/or state. Would you hire a contractor of any kind to come into your home that is not operating legally? If you would, you are certainly taking a chance you definitely should not be taking.
In addition to a license, a professional pet sitting company will have insurance. Insurance will protect you, the pet parent from any loss, theft or damage that occurs to your property while in the care of the pet sitter. While homeowner’s insurance may potentially cover loss or damage within your home, you would still be on the hook for a possible hefty deductible. The person entering your home to “work” is also covered by the insurance the professional pet sitting company has. The professional pet sitting company will also pay into workman’s comp, adding yet another layer of protection to you. Additionally, your dog is part of the “property” your professional pet sitter is insured to cover inside and outside your home.
Are you prepared to throw caution to the wind by not hiring a professional pet sitter to enter your home and care for your pets? When it comes down to it, it’s simply not worth the risk. Contact us for more information about how our love for animals, experience, licensing and insurance can put your pets in the best hands while you’re away.
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