Should a pet sitter have insurance?

Deeds: Yes. Insurance covers liability if I or the pet would get hurt on the property.

Garrett: Absolutely. Potential customers should ask for proof of coverage. Insurance covers anything that might happen to the pet in the care of the sitter.

Browning: Yes. We carry insurance in case something happens when we're there.

What happens during a typical visit?

Deeds: A basic sit is 30 minutes and I feed and walk them, administer medications, make sure they have fresh water, and clean the litter box.

Garrett: A typical visit lasts 30 minutes and I walk the dog, play with cats, feed and water them, and clean the litter box. I can also do private overnight boarding for small dogs.

Browning: I go in for a half hour, play with them or walk them, and make sure they have food and fresh water.

What does a homeowner need to do before hiring you?

Deeds: We do a meet and greet where we go over the service agreement, meet the pets, get contact information and get permission to take the pet to the vet if something happens.

Garrett: A meet and greet is mandatory. I won't take an assignment without meeting Mom and Dad, and the pet. We go over the contract, fees and emergency contact information.

Browning: I won't do a job without an interview. I go to their house, and we fill out the contract, and get the vet's number, the vaccination information and their emergency numbers.

How much does it cost?

Deeds: One pet is $15 per 30-minute visit, with a minimum of three visits a day. It's $17 for two pets, and $1 for each additional pet.

Garrett: A 30-minute visit is $15 for one pet at a minimum of three visits per day. It's $17 for two, and an additional $1 for every pet thereafter. It's $25 per day if the pet stays with me.

Browning: It's $16 per visit for up to two animals, usually three times a day.

How do you help keep a client's home safe?

Deeds: I walk through the house to make sure it's secure, and I'll bring in the mail and paper, and turn on different lights to make it look like someone's there.

Garrett: I rotate the lights, open and close the blinds, take the mail and newspaper in - just having someone coming in and out of the house is a deterrent.

Browning: I'll take in the mail and paper, take out the trash, and switch up the lights, and make sure the house is secure.