A few suggestions when pet-sitting for a first-time client:
1. Text the client or send the client pics of their pets when you first go over to their house to take care of them. It shouldn't be on the client to check in with you on Day 3 to know if you're taking care of their pets. Crickets do not reassure someone on vacation who's never used your service before.
2. If you are going over to their house every day to feed/water the pets and clean the litterbox, ensure that the number of bags in the trash match the number of days you were supposedly visiting. We're paying for each visit. If there is half the number of expected bags in the trash it does not give us much confidence that you were there every day--or at least doing what was expected of you every day.
3. If you are getting low on any supplies or food left by the client, text/call the client to inform them and offer to pick up more--and feel free to add a surcharge for the inconvenience. We did not need to return home late to find no dry food in the house and wonder if the pets were fed at all that day.
4. Invoice the client within 2-3 days after the job is done--don't wait almost two weeks for the client to ask for their invoice (we also asked for our key back because the first time will be the last time we use this service). You're getting paid for this service, right? Be organized and attentive.
If it's not already obvious, we will be looking for another pet sitter in the future. read more