Many pet owners are reluctant to part with their trusted pet sitter. But if the pet sitter is moving away or can no longer work for their client due to illness or increased family responsibilities, clients will need to find a replacement. Pet sitters can help.
Network with Family, Friends and Acquaintances
Networking is a great way for job seekers to find a job. It is also an effective method to use to find the right candidate for a possible job opening when you are resigning. Do you have a close friend that is out of work, who would make a good pet sitter? Has your sister-in-law been on the look-out for work since she was made redundant at work last year? Put the word out that you are looking for a replacement pet sitter and wait for the responses to come in.
However, you should exercise caution if you choose to network through social networking sites. Do not post your client’s name, address or any other personal details that could compromise their privacy or identity. Simply state that you are searching for a new pet sitter and let your contacts know that if they would like to learn more, to contact you directly by phone. You should talk to potential candidates before referring them on to your client to see whether they would be a good fit. It will then by up to clients to decide whether or not to hire them.
Encourage Your Client to Post an Ad
Clients who are about to lose their pet sitter may be wondering how to go about finding a replacement. If you have been with them for several years they may not even remember how they found you!
Encourage your client to post an ad in the local newspaper, on Craigslist, Care.com and in other prominent locations. Some sites, such as Care.com, encourage users to submit to a background check and to include personal references. This can set a client’s mind at ease, as they have a greater assurance of finding a candidate with a clean background report and reliable references.
Provide Sufficient Notice Until a Replacement is Found
Pet sitting requires the same level of courtesy and consideration as any other job. That includes providing sufficient notice. Even if you are not instrumental in helping your client find a replacement pet sitter, you should still provide plenty of notice before you leave, especially if you worked on a regular, weekly basis and your client has relied heavily on you to care for their pets.
Pet sitters who are moving on are under no obligation to find a replacement. But if they have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with clients and their pets over the years, they may feel more inclined to help clients find a hardworking, trustworthy replacement.
More from this contributor:
A Pet Sitter’s Responsibility Toward Pets.
How to Work as a Pet Sitter with Little to No Professional Experience.
Should You Encourage Your Child to Pursue a Pet Sitting Career?