Hi There...
The first thing to consider is what type of service you want... do you want someone to come into your home and stay there with your pup, do you want them to take your pup to their house, or do you want to leave your pup at your house and have them come in several times a day to care for them?
I use the last option...
1. I made sure the company was bonded and insured since they will be coming into my place.
2. I made sure they could come early in the morning and late at night because I didnt want them alone for long stretches of time within someone checking in on them.
3. I asked about what they would do in an emergency... I was happy with the system they had in place... they will take the dog to the vet to be treated, they attempt to contact you first to make decisions once they are there, if they can not get you they contact the emergency contact you left, otherwise decisions are made by the vet... they take the pet to MY vet so that makes me happy as well, they are not going to some stranger.
4. I asked how they deal with special requests, our sitter will basically do anything we ask, feed special food... sprinkle cheese on the food if they refuse to eat,
etc.
5. How often could I contact them? I have my sitters cell phone number and can call her anytime day or night and she will talk to me... I try to always call when I know she will be at my house so that I am not taking up extra time in her day (she devotes enough to mine when she is watching them) but she always nice and will stay on the phone as long as I like if I call another time.
6. What is your sitter has an emergency? This actually happened during one of my trips... my sitters mother became very ill and she could no longer watch my pets... the company owners (who we met at the initial consult) took over immediately with their care and called us and explained everything... my pets never missed a visit and all was well.
7. What does each visit entail? My sitter will do anything really... she walks the dogs, plays with them, feeds them, cleans their area up, etc.
I use the local franchise of
Fetch! Pet Care - Welcome to Fetch! Pet Care obviously they are all run differently but the one I use is amazing.
Also you want to make sure you meet the person first and feel comfortable with them and the way they interact with your dogs.
Everytime we come home the dogs are happy and well adjusted... the last time we went away, we arrived home early and she was still at our house and the dogs came to the door greeted us and then ran back to play with her
To me THAT is a good sign.
I chose this option because I knew they would be happier in their own home and I didnt have to worry about them getting vaccines I dont like to give them... many boarding facilities require them and obviously this option does not.
Let me know if you have any other questions.