Posts Tagged ‘pet sitting’

Doggie babysitters sure do exist! Gone are the days when the only babysitter that comes to your house are for the two legged (human) kids. Gold Coast Pet Sitting offers pet sitting by the hour with your own personal doggie babysitter.

Being a doggie baby sitter is an awesome job! We have gotten requests for this service numerous times and have been able to accommodate on a case by case basis for many years. Now, we are officially announcing that you can call a doggie babysitter for your pet! Service is in your home and we can walk, play, swim, cuddle, etc. with your fur baby.

Just like the two legged kids, it is billed hourly starting from $80 for 2-3 hours then $25 per hour there-after. Please try to give us as much heads up notice as possible so we can be there as your own personal doggie babystter!

We get it. Sometimes you don’t want your fur kid to stay home alone. So let us come and be your personal doggie babysitter.

Contact us today !

Today’s blog post is courtesy of Danielle C. from Protecting Max in Dallas, Texas. Danielle is an ex-pat (Aussie) and co-founder of Association Of Pet Sitting Excellence (which I’m an active member).  The following applies to us here in Australia not just the USA. 

We get many inquiries for pet sitting services each week from pet owners and we regularly follow up with potential clients that tell us that they found a friend or neighbor that can care for the pets for this trip.

As a professional pet sitting service your friends, family or neighbors are our biggest competition.  They are there ready to help you out and care for your pets so that you don’t have to pay a service while you travel.

And don’t get us wrong we understand that owning pets can get expensive especially when you travel.  And we certainly don’t question the ability of your friends and neighbors to care for your pets – most have pets of their own.  But what happens if something goes wrong while friends and neighbors are caring for your pets.  Will you be covered?

What many pet owners don’t realize is that when you hire a professional pet care service you are really  paying for peace of mind and protection of your pets and your home.

When you hire a professional to care for your pets your pets and home are protected in three ways:

A professional pet sitting company carries liability insurance.

Pet sitting liability insurance is there for protecting you, the pet owner.  It covers your pets, and  your home and it’s contents.  If your pet is injured during your vacation then the insurance will cover all their vet bills.  If your sitter loses your keys the insurance will pay to install new locks on your home.  If the person caring for your pets leaves the water on and your house floods then the damage will be paid for by their insurance.

Of course these are all worse case scenarios and at Protecting Max in our 7 years caring for pets we have never had any of these incidents happen and we have not had to make a claim on our liability insurance.  We always take every precaution to avoid injury to your pets or damage to your home.  But if the worst does happen then you will be covered.

A professional pet care company has a back up plan

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your pets if your friend or neighbor had a life threatening emergency?  They may be in a car accident or have a sudden family emergency .  What will happen if they can’t be there to care for your pets?  Will anyone else know that they were acting as the caregivers for your pets?  Will anyone notice if your pets go without care ?

When we sign on to be your professional pet sitter we always have a back up plan.  If one of our pet sitters is injured or hospitalized then we step in to take over their jobs or assign them to another pet sitter.  Your pets will never be without care.

A note from Gold Coast Pet Sitting:   This also applies if you plan to use your friends or family to board your pets at their home. What happens if they find it is all “too much” ?  Or they have some other form of emergency where minding your pet is now an inconvenience ? Just because they adore their own pets does not (unfortunately) always translate into love for other peoples’ pets.  Case in point … we had a client recently who whilst she adored her own pets caused terrible anxiety in her friend’s dog whom she was minding due to lack of dog behaviour/psychology knowledge (her actions caused her friend’s dog to become anxious).  We were scheduled to help with walks and in the end she ended up dumping the dog back at its home (most likely not telling the friend I’m guessing).  In the end, the dog was much better off being at home (no anxiety) instead of with our client.  

A professional pet sitter knows what do do in a pet emergency

If one of your pets has a health emergency while in the care of your friends an neighbors will they be prepared and be able to act quickly?  Will they know how to give CPR or bandage a wound that is bleeding profusely?

All of our pet sitters are trained in pet first aid, know the symptoms of illness in your pets, and know who to react quickly to protect the health of your pets.  I teach pet CPR and rescue skills during my regular first aid classes which all of our pet carers attend.  They will be able to take the proper action to safegaurd your pets and they know the location of the nearest pet emergency hospital and are willing to take the time to get your pet there to be assessed by a veterinarian if required.

Most importantly when you hire a professional pet carer -  the care of your pets is our job and we take this responsibility very seriously.   Other priorities or emergencies will not stand in the way of us caring for your pets.

You can trust that we will do everything in our power to protect the safety and wellness of your pets at all times.  You can always contact us to check on your pets during your travels too and we’ll be happy to call you or text you with updates.

So next time you are traveling make sure to value the peace of mind that you will get from hiring a professional pet sitter to care for your pets.  We’ll love them like our own and offer you triple protection!

Image via Wikipedia

What is FUNNY MONDAY ?

Over on the Gold Coast Pets community facebook page every Monday I encourage our community to get the week off to a funny start.  Share a funny story, joke or photo that makes you laugh ! Post in our comments below or on our facebook wall !

Here is my contribution as it made me smile today….

One day a man was driving down the road with twenty penguins in the back seat of his car. The police stop him.  The police suggest that he can’t drive around with the penguins in the car  he should take them to a zoo.

The man agrees and drives off.
The next day the same man is driving down the road with the same twenty penguins in the back of his car. Again he is stopped by the same policeman. The policeman says: “Hey I thought I told you to take those to a zoo.”

The man replies: ”I did. And today I’m taking them to the movies”.

Related articles

• How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb? | Animal Jokes, Funny, Humour @ Gold Coast Pets FUNNY MONDAY (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• Yes – We “sit” Horses ! @ Gold Coast Pet Sitting (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• Tips to get THE BEST EXPERIENCE out of working with your pet sitter, pet minder or dog walker (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• VIDEO: Criminal Penguins Steal Love Nest Pebbles (icanhascheezburger.com)

Easter, Good Friday and Anzac Day Pet Sitting and Dog Walking – limited spots still available !

It’s that time of year ….  Easter !  It’s extra special this year as it is a very long weekend due to Anzac Day public holiday happening along side it.

Gold Coast Pet Sitting is still accepting pet sitting, dog walking and limited overnight pet sitting bookings during this period.

Why you should hire GCPS versus friends:

While having friends, family, or neighbors care for your pets may seem like a logical (cheaper) choice, professional pet sitters (like us) do this for a living and have the experience necessary to care for your animals.  ( Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn of the myriad of reasons “why” ! )

Click here to download ( FREE ) a list of Questions to ask any Potential Pet Sitter.

What’s in it for you once you choose Gold Coast Pet Sitting:

• You are connected to a community of other Gold Coast pet parents through our email newsletter, Facebook pages, twitter and website !  No other pet sitting business is as well established, active and connected with social media.
• You can choose the way you want to contact us: Phone, SMS, Email, Facebook or Twitter !
• You have a team that are the type of extended family you want — friendly, loving, trust worthy, professional, knowledgeable and experienced !
• Your pets get to enjoy all the sights, smells, and sounds of HOME ensuring you come home to your happy, healthy pets as they are waiting for you. Plus your home and property is kept safe and problems are identified early - saving you from stress/bills on your arrival.
• You do not have to endure traffic, waiting for boarding kennels/catteries to open, travel trauma for the pet(s), having to pack an extra bag for your dogs, potential extra vet bills due to kennel cough or cat flu…..
• You have someone who will help connect you to many valuable resources within the local community because of the relationships the owner has built and continues build with the Gold Coast community.

What are our prices ?

Remember, our prices are all inclusive and stay the same all year !  No nasty extra charges or surprises.

If you live within 15 minutes of Oxenford Cove Park or within any of the following suburbs of Carrara, Benowa, Bundall, Sorrento, Highland Park, Worongary, Merrimac, Clear Island Waters, Robina, Tallai, Gilston, Molendinar, Ashmore, Southport, Runaway Bay, Nerang, Oxenford, Helensvale, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Monterey Keys, Pacific Pines, Pimpama, Willow Vale, Maudsland, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Andrews, Tugan, Bilinga, Coolangatta, Tugan Heights, Kirra, Varsity Lakes, Miami, Nobby Beach, Reedy Creek, Murwillumbah and Northern NSW your pet sitting prices are:

• $25 for one standard 30-40 minute pet sitting visit
• $35 for one standard 30-40 minute visit plus one quick 20 minute visit
• $35 for one luxury 60 minute visit
• $50 for two standard pet sitting visits
• $70 for two luxury 60 minute visits
• $75 for three standard pet sitting visits

All our pet sitting bookings include a neighbourhood dog walk (whenever possible), medication (when needed), poop scooping, kitty litter cleaning, feeding, light grooming, massage, watering of plants, wheelie bin in/out, mail collection, and ensuring your home is secure and safe.

If you live outside our service area, please add $10 to cover travel charges to service your area.

For overnight pet sitting, please book now as we have very limited spots available, the cost is $60 per night.

BOOK NOW !

Loving YOUR pets and keeping YOUR home safe

PHONE 0420 355 887  or  click here to contact us !

Our phone hours are Monday – Sunday 8am until 6pm

Dog owners love to think of their dogs as children.  “That’s my baby,” they’ll say when referring to their dogs.  They’ll refer to themselves as “Mommy” or “Daddy” when talking to their dogs as well.  And, of course, they buy their dogs toys to play with.  Choosing the right dog toys can be tricky.  People like to get cute, squeaky toys for their dogs or give them stuffed animals to chew on and carry around (the stuffed toy becomes the dog’s “baby” quite often – “Get your baby, checkers!  Checkers, where’s your baby?”) because they think it’s “adorable.”  Dog toys don’t need to be “cute.”  They need to be practical, fun for the dog, durable, and safe.

Avoid Non-Toy “Toys”

For as lovable, loyal, friendly, and playful as they are, dogs are not the brightest creatures.  They are naturally attracted to things that can cause them the most harm.  It’s important to start early with your dog, providing save toys to chew and play with while teaching the animal to avoid household items it may wish to use as toys.  Dogs love to chew on pantyhose, for example, but these could easily be partially ingested, choking the dog.  Some dogs will chew on power cords, risking a harmful (or fatal) electric shock.  Teach your dog early on what things are for chewing and playing and what things are off limits.

The Best, Safest Dog Toys

The size of a toy is an important consideration.  Kongs, balls, and other typical toys must be small enough that the dog can chew them and carry them, but not so small that they can become lodged in the dog’s mouth or throat.

Durability is a factor, especially for a dog that loves to chew.  A toy that will break apart easily can become a hazard as the small, sharp parts can be swallowed, caught in the throat, or cut the mouth and gums.  Again, a hard rubber Kong (easily one of the best dog toys ever conceived) is an excellent choice.

Softer toys, like the popular “squeak” toys made of thin plastic and full of air are good for dogs that are a bit gentler.  They’re unlikely to chew through such items and are usually attracted by the squeaking sound.

Tennis balls are great for some dogs, but poor choices for others.  This is a question of size ratios.  If the dog is too small to fit a tennis ball all the way in its mouth, then it can be an excellent toy that the dog will love but costs very little.  If the ball can fit all the way in the dog’s maw, however, it becomes a choking hazard.

Related articles

• Why Does My Dog Love to Play with His Stuffed Toys? (brighthub.com)
• Fun With Kongs! (wlte.radio.com)
• Useful Dog Tricks Video (doggies.com)
• Humans baffled by dog toys (alphadogblogger.wordpress.com)

Image via Wikipedia

Gold Coast Pet Sitting services the following suburbs of  Carrara, Benowa, Bundall, Sorrento, Highland Park, Worongary, Merrimac, Clear Island Waters, Robina, Tallai, Gilston, Molendinar, Ashmore, Southport, Runaway Bay, Oxenford, Helensvale, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Monterey Keys, Pacific Pines, Pimpama, Hope Island, Willow Vale, Maudsland, Coombabah, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Andrews, Tugan, Bilinga, Coolangatta, Tugan Heights, Kirra, Varsity Lakes, Miami, Nobby Beach, Reedy Creek.

Gold Coast Pet Sitting provide caring and affordable Pet Sitting & Pet Minding services on the Gold Coast specialising within the following suburbs of Carrara, Benowa, Bundall, Sorrento, Highland Park, Worongary, Merrimac, Clear Island Waters, Robina, Tallai, Gilston, Molendinar, Ashmore, Southport, Runaway Bay, Oxenford, Helensvale, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Monterey Keys, Pacific Pines, Pimpama, Hope Island, Willow Vale, Maudsland, Coombabah, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Andrews, Tugan, Bilinga, Coolangatta, Tugan Heights, Kirra, Varsity Lakes, Miami, Nobby Beach, Reedy Creek and have been since late 2008.

Save the stress and have a great, relaxing holiday knowing that Gold Coast Pet Sitting will be looking after your pets in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home.  With many years in the business, Gold Coast Pet Sitting knows that providing an in home Pet Sitting / Pet Minding service will lessen the stress caused by your absence.  They are able to take care of not only dogs and cats, but goldfish, guinea pigs, poultry, birds and any other small domesticated animal.

Unlike boarding kennels and catteries, which can be impersonal at times, Pet Sitting is a cost effective way to have your beloved pets looked after in a friendly and calm atmosphere.  The benefits of having your pet looked after in their own home are many and include:

• exposure to illness from other pets is minimised
• feeding and exercise routine is not interrupted
• no travel trauma for pets or owners

They not only provide Pet Sitting, but incorporate dog walks and are happy to administer medications if necessary.  Your pets health and safety is paramount to Gold Coast Pet Sitting and only the best of care is provided.

In fact, there are a few more services that Gold Coast Pet Sitting provides including clearing out your letterbox and put out your rubbish bins so that the home has a “lived in look” whilst you’re away.

So, for your next trip away whether it be for a few weeks or a weekend, contact Gold Coast Pet Sitting to arrange all your Pet Sitting requirements on (0420) 355 887.

Pet Sitting & Pet Minding Gold Coast

Carrara, Benowa, Bundall, Sorrento, Highland Park, Worongary, Merrimac, Clear Island Waters, Robina, Tallai, Gilston, Molendinar, Ashmore, Southport, Runaway Bay, Oxenford, Helensvale, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Monterey Keys, Pacific Pines, Pimpama, Hope Island, Willow Vale, Maudsland, Coombabah, Palm Beach, Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Andrews, Tugan, Bilinga, Coolangatta, Tugan Heights, Kirra, Varsity Lakes, Miami, Nobby Beach, Reedy Creek.

Related articles

• Take care of dogs during summer | dog sitting gold coast (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• The “QLD itch” – SOLUTION ! | pet minding gold coast (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Currumbin, Australia (travelpod.com)
• So.. you want to use a cheap pet sitter or a friend ? THIS IS A TRUE STORY (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• Discover twentyone Palmbeach (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• Gold Coast – Gold Coast, Australia (travelpod.com)

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Shout It Saturday – Pet News ! (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• Qld government collars dog breeders (news.theage.com.au)
• Fireworks fans urged to consider animals (money.marksandspencer.com)
• Take care of dogs during summer | dog sitting gold coast (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• 2011 Million Paws Walk RSPCA – Miami Gold Coast (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• FREE Pet Tips & Advice (Tip Giving Tuesday) (goldcoastpets.com.au)

Image via Wikipedia

Every Tuesday over at the Gold Coast Pets facebook community and twitter —  TIP GIVING TUESDAY — Time for YOU to Shine ! Share YOUR PET CARE TIPS !  Here is one of the featured tips …

From Sarah Ellis

Trust your instincts – if you think your pet is out of sorts, you are the one to know first – and that could be the difference between life and death!

Related articles

• Confused.com top 10 tips for preventing pet damage to your home (confused.com)
• TIP GIVING TUESDAY ! Try these tips ….. (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• The “QLD itch” – SOLUTION ! | pet minding gold coast (goldcoastpets.com.au)
• FREE PET ADVICE | Pet Care Tips ( Tip Giving Tuesday ) (goldcoastpets.com.au)

Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• Where to Insure Your Pet (therealowner.com)
• Soaring cost of vet bills may cause pet insurance premiums to rise (money.marksandspencer.com)
• Cheap pet insurance may not cover chronic pet health problems (money.marksandspencer.com)
• Pet expert advises kitten owners to tape cables to avoid pet insurance claims (money.marksandspencer.com)

Initially inspired by Cesar Milan’s “Fun Fact Friday”  - As admin I made the decision to do the same so as we can learn more about the wonderful animals in our lives as well as in the world at large.   Unlike Tip Tuesday, these are “animal facts”.  Tip Tuesday is about helping provide the best type of care for Pet Parents !

Just search “tip tuesday” or “fun fact friday” in the search bar at the side to find all our blog posts.  ENJOY !

***

Angela Love from http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hugalicious-Ragdolls/170819502928084 has the following fun facts to share with us !!

Fun Cat Fact - The largest cat breed is the Ragdoll. Males weigh twelve to twenty pounds, with females weighing ten to fifteen pounds. The smallest cat breed is the Singapura. Males weigh about six pounds while females weigh about four pounds.

Fun Cat Fact - If your cat is near you, and her tail is quivering, this is the greatest expression of love your cat can give you. If her tail starts thrashing, her mood has changed — Time to distance yourself from her.

Fun Cat Fact - The average age for an indoor cat is 15 years, while the average age for an outdoor cat is only 3 to 5 years.

***

Have you any fun facts you can share with us ?

This information has been provided to you from Vanessa, the owner of Gold Coast Pet Sitting.
For more information please go to http://www.goldcoastpets.com.au