Information for Pet Sitters
Our Objective
Australians love to travel and what better place to discover than our own
wonderful country. There have always been many of us young and older who “do”
the big trip….”travel around Australia”…be it for a few months or a few years.
And then there are of course the many couples and families who use their annual
holidays or just weekends to discover different places. Understandably many of
these travellers do not want to leave behind the much-loved four-legged member
of the family so we have more and more travelling pets. Although not always
easy to find there are campgrounds and other forms of accommodation around
Australia that allow animals so that means more and more people take advantage
of this possibility.
However travelling with pets does have its restrictions. There will always be
that special something to do where dogs or cats are not allowed…. and no friend
or family near by to help out. This is where PetPlaces sitters come to the
rescue. Someone local who will look after the beloved pet while its owners
undertake what ever it is they wished to do knowing it will be well looked
after for those few hours or days.
PetPlaces objective is to find as many of these special people as possible all
round Australia and make their details available to member travellers for their
convenience thereby making travelling with pets just that much easier and
enjoyable. The directory is also beneficial to those people who cannot take
their pets with them but need instead to find a good boarding home for them
while away.
Pet Sitters Wanted
PetPlaces can only be as good as its sitters. That is why we are always looking
for likeminded people who are prepared to take these pets into their homes.
There are many reasons why a sitter may register. Perhaps you yourselves are
one of those travelling with pets and can appreciate the difficulties involved,
maybe you wish to take advantage of the service yourselves and can reciprocate
at other times to help your fellow travellers. Or perhaps you are just an
animal lover, have pets of your own or you used to and like the idea of caring
for one occasionally. This is also another way of supplementing your income by
earning a few extra dollars. PetPlaces cannot however guarantee how often your
services would be required and therefore is not able to estimate just how much
this might be.
Requirements
Naturally the most important criteria is that you are a responsible person and
an animal lover. That you are prepared to take special care of “your guest” –
to take it into your home and heart during its stay with you. Most pet owners
who make use of this service pamper their pets and so expect that to continue
to a certain degree. That is why we endeavour to give as much information to
our members as possible about your situation and your stipulations so that they
can make an informed decision. (See below for “Information required”). It is
also not necessary that you be available all year round- (you might be off on
travels yourself some of the time) –but it helps if you can give dates if
known. It doesn’t matter where you are in Australia but obviously some areas
will be more frequented than others. If there are tourist attractions near you
then the more sought after your services will be.
What’s in it for you?
The joy of a four-legged guest’s company! The satisfaction of helping tourists
in your area enjoy their stay that much more! The enjoyment of meeting other
animal lovers and their pets. All of the above plus making a few extra dollars.
(see “Charges” below)
Who has access to sitters information?
PetPlaces is membership based. This means members pay a fee to access the
sitters directory as well as all other information on the website. As a member
they are issued with a number and password that enables them to access this
secured site. Anyone “surfing the net” will not be able to view your details.
Charges
The listing as a “Sitter” is free. All you need do is complete
and return to us the Sitters Registration Form and you will be added to our
directory. (Upon your request you can be just as easily be removed or make
changes to your details.)
Members contact sitters direct, we do not take any bookings!
What you as the sitter charge the member for your service of boarding their pet
is between the two of you. We can only give a guideline but it is at your
discretion IF and how much to charge. It
might also help to check what your local kennels charge. Perhaps you only wish
to reciprocate the service by helping other travellers and their pets.
Guideline for charges
|
Small dog/cat |
Large dog |
Day charge
(regardless how many/few hours) |
$10 - 15 |
$10 – 15 |
| Night stays |
$10 – 20 |
$15 – 20 |
| Weekly stays |
Discount |
Discount |
|
Where all food is supplied by owner |
Information Required – Sitters Registration Form
In many instances members will only have verbal or written contact with you
before deciding to leave their "loved one" in your care and therefore we
endeavour to give them as much information as possible about you beforehand.
That is why we ask you to be as detailed as possible when completing the
registration form. (see also "Example Registration Form") Please include any
stipulations you might have. We have tried to list as many points as possible
but you may add anymore of your own. Please remember that any of these items
can be changed upon request quite easily as you require.
• Name address and contact information:
These need to be fully completed for our files however on the directory listing
we only show first name, town with postcode, telephone numbers and email
address (if indicated on Registration Form) which is sufficient for the members
to contact you.
• Nearby attractions:
This is very useful for our members as they will also be able to search the
directory for sitters near particular attractions.
• About you and your pets:
This information helps give the member an overview of the environment into
which their pet will be placed. A fenced garden for instance will be for many
an important consideration.
• Photo:
A photo of you, and/or your pet, maybe in yard or garden would be appreciated
but is not essential. It will however personalise your listing. A short
description with the photo will be included on the website.
• Your conditions:
If you have any stipulations this is the place to make it known so that the
members will know from the start. It does not mean you have to be rigid with
these conditions but it does give a guideline. If open to discussion then mark
"negotiable".
• Type of guest:
The majority of the time it is dogs looking for a sitter but cats can be a
local request and occasionally some other animal such as bird or fish (or even
a horse). Again the question if it is allowed inside or where it sleeps will be
very important to the owner.
• Availability:
Please note that even if nothing is stated here it does not mean you will have
to be always available. Also you as the sitter will always have the possibility
to decline taking a pet for what ever reason. There are however some instances
when sitters know that they cannot take guests in particular months of the year
or even say weekdays because of work. By noting this on the form the members
will not need to contact you unnecessarily. You can also inform PetPlaces at
any time of change to this or any other entry.
• Other conditions:
Any other special comments can be entered here. For instance you might want to
reserve confirmation of the booking until you have met the "guest". Or perhaps
you are prepared to walk the dog if it is staying longer. The checking of
vaccination certificate and heartworm control might be another stipulation.
Or perhaps you might want “tourists only” or/and “short stays only”.
Follow-up reviews
As part of a sitter's listing to be viewed by members is the Members Comment
Section. Members are encouraged to make comments good or bad about any sitters
they use. This is particularly helpful for fellow members as PetPlaces is
naturally unable to vet every sitter listed. Conversely we request the sitters
to advise us of any adverse experience they might have with any members. As
stated before, PetPlaces is only as good as it's sitters so we want you to be
happy. On the other side of the coin, if the sitters aren’t good there will be
no members and therefore no PetPlaces!!
Vaccinations and Health Issues
If you have pets of your own then it is important that they are up-to-date with
their own vaccinations and any other relevant medication such as heartworm
tablets if applicable. Also ensure they are wormed regularly and are flea free.
PetPlaces strongly recommends that you check with your own vet for his/her
suggestions as to what is essential in your area both for your own pets and for
the visitor.
As for your guest, check with the owner that its vaccinations are current and
we suggest asking to see the certificate on arrival. If your vet has suggested
any other requirements then discuss them with the owner when you are contacted
(see form "Suggested Questions to ask the Pet's Owner") or include it in the
"Other Conditions" section of the Registration Form.
Suggested questions for sitters to pet owners
Sometimes it is easy to forget to ask some relevant questions when on the phone
to a potential guest’s owner. Therefore we have put together a few suggestions
on a form with room for you to write the answers if you wish. (See form
"Suggested Questions to ask the Pet's Owner".)
Example of Agreement / Indemnity between Sitter and Member
Several people have expressed their concern over litigation / liability issues
if they were to become sitters for PetPlaces and in today's society that is a
valid point. Following on from there perhaps both sitters and members should
express in writing not only their own undertakings but also those expected of
the other party, even though we tend to think of these as a given.
To that end, I have together with my solicitor, drafted an agreement for MY OWN
PERSONAL USE as a sitter and member.
In conjunction with the following disclaimer, PetPlaces can upon request provide
this example draft Agreement for your assistance. This is not an official
PetPlaces document / form as PetPlaces is not involved in any agreement reached
between a sitter and a member.
No responsibility can be
accepted if information is incorrect or inaccurate. PetPlaces does not purport to be a legal entity
or capable of giving legal advice and strongly encourages the sitter to make whatever investigation
he/she feels necessary and to obtain legal advice before using the Agreement.
As a suggestion, you may wish to consult the "Legal Aid Services" of your area,
which I believe are free. This particular agreement is drawn-up indemnifying both
the sitter and member equally. Please note that it is your decision if
you use this or any other form of Agreement / Disclaimer between you as a
sitter and a member.
Just advise PetPlaces Administration if you wish to receive a copy of the draft
agreement.
Pet Places Sitters Agreement
This form is really self-explanatory. Its main purpose is to record your
acknowledgement and understanding of our disclaimer of liability, the
collection and use of your personal information, and your agreement to these.
If you have received these forms by mail, there is a second copy of the
agreement enclosed for your own files.
Next Step?
Hopefully you will decide to join our PetPlaces family and become a registered
Pet Sitter.
All you need to do is:
1 complete the Sitters Registration
Form
2 sign and date the Sitters
Agreement
and
3 return these (with a photo if you have one, although this is not essential)
to us at
PetPlaces
PO Box U19
Upper Burnie Tas 7320
We will confirm their receipt with you.
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