Keeping Your Pet and Home Safe

Chicago, IL (August 2007)- When people are unable to care for their animals they often call upon professionals to ensure their furry friends are fed, walked and entertained. People interview pet sitters just like they would interview baby sitters for their children. There have been countless reports of incidents involving the mistreatment of pets and, most recently in Chicago, stealing items from clients' homes. Can pet owners feel safe when their pet is being cared for by a complete stranger? How can they ensure your home is being protected? These are just a few of the questions circling amidst the recent stories about less than ethical pet services.

Urban Out Sitters (729 W. Randolph St., 312-651-7387) is the Chicago area leader in providing high-quality pet services that include dog walking, grooming, boarding and day care. Owners Joseph Giannini and Tommy Spinosa understand through their extensive experience what qualities to look for in a pet care professional. Additionally, they offer insight to specific warning signs of questionable behavior. When hiring potential pet care candidates, they put them through a rigorous interviewing process and background check.

"We look for maturity and sense of responsibility in a pet care provider; someone who wants to make pet care a professional career. We can usually tell whether someone would be a trustworthy care taker. We are very experienced and can tell when we truly connect with the pet care professional," said Giannini.

Urban Out Sitters's concern with pet security doesn't stop with the hiring process. Utilizing the latest technology, Urban Out Sitters offers a hidden camera to clients who think there might be suspicious activities while the professionals are in their home or caring for their pet. Clients can log on to the internet and watch every move made by their pet care professional-from anywhere in the world. "Our job is to create peace of mind for our clients that their professional will not only take care of their pets, but respect their home and belongings as well," stated Spinosa.

All too often people are not cognizant of questions to ask pet care professionals to ensure the best care possible for their pets. Giannini and Spinosa offer the following tips about what to look for when hiring a pet care service:

Is the facility bonded and insured?
Can the facility provide references upon request?
Will the care taker visit the client's home before the first pet-sitting assignment to meet the pets and get detailed information about their care?
Does the care taker show a positive attitude during the initial meeting and seems comfortable and competent in dealing with animals?
Will the care taker provide written literature describing services and stating fees?
Is the care taker courteous, interested and well-informed?
Does the care taker want to learn as much as possible about the animals in his or her care?
Does the care taker have experience in caring for pets and are they clearly mindful of their safety and well-being?
Does the care taker exhibit courtesy and professionalism in all dealings with staff, customers and industry colleagues?
Does the care taker keep regular office hours and answer client inquiries and complaints promptly?
Does the care taker have a veterinarian on-call for emergency service?
Does the care taker have a contingency plan for pet care in case of inclement weather or personal illness?
Does the care taker conduct business with honesty and integrity and observes all federal, state and local laws pertaining to business operations and animal care?
Does the care taker take precautions to make sure a client's absence from home is not detected because of any careless actions or disclosures by the sitter?

Should pet owners begin to question the behavior of your care taker, Spinosa and Giannini suggest licking the ends of a piece of hair then sticking it over closed desk drawers or cabinet doors. The saliva will hold the hair in place, unless of course, the doors or drawers are opened. This is a quick way to tell if someone is going through your things. When in doubt of dubious behavior call your pet service provider and inquire about the safety of your pet and your home.

Urban Out Sitters has three locations in Chicago: In the West Loop at 161 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL, and at 729 West Randolph, Chicago, IL 60661. In Lakeview, Urban Out Sitters is located at 3241 N. Dayton St., Chicago, IL 60657. For more information about their wide range of pet care services, please call (312) 651-PETS, send an email to info@urbanoutsitters.com or visit their website at www.urbanoutsitters.com.

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