Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, House Sitting – Gold Coast

Posts Tagged ‘vanessa’

Mocha (tri colour) and Latte (dark brindle)

Just a quick note to say that I was able to catch up with Mocha and Latte recently.  I also took the chance to donate some more funds towards my sponsorship of the boys. I figure it’s the next best thing I can do since I personally am not in a situation where I can foster and/or adopt them.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THEIR OFFICIAL ADOPTION PAGE

As of this blog entry, “the boys” are looking for their Forever Home.  They will have to be re-homed together since they have such a strong bond (and it’s best for “piggies” to be in pairs as they are actually quite a social animal).  Just contact Alex at Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue for further information on adoption, being a foster carer and/or proper care of Guinea Pigs.

Enjoy the following video footage I shot of them enjoying some “fun in the sun”.  This is most certainly entertaining if nothing else.

xox Aunty Vanessa

It is wonderful to have pets in our homes; they help us relax on stressful days. For some of us, pets are our only reliable companions. Our pet dogs not only will help us relax and provide companionship that we need, they also guard our property. There are so many other benefits in owning a pet. However, there are number of complications as well in owning pets. Even though we may not be extensive travelers, there might be occasions in life that would force us to travel for a couple of days or we might like to take a vacation for a week to rejuvenate ourselves after a stressful year. In all these situations life can get bit complicated when we own a dog or other pets because travel and pets or vacation and pets are very bad combinations. Not all our friends may be that passionate about having to visit your home to help care for your pets. We cannot travel with our pets either in most situations. How do we handle such situations?

This is where the role of Professional Pet Sitters comes into play. These days we can get professional pet sitters who will be interested in taking care of our pets ( for a fee ) while we are away. This service creates a win-win situation for both parties. You, as the pet owner, can have stress free travel with the thought that your pets are being taken care of and that they are safe and at the same time the professional pet carer too continue doing what they love to do.

Professional Pet Sitting is becoming one of the most popular services these days as the number of people who own pets is also increasing day by day. Soon we will need more pet carers than baby sitters. More and more people realize the benefits of having a pet at home. Though there are some discomforts and responsibilities that come with it, families are still interested in owning pets. Services like Professional Pet Sitting come as a very timely service for pet lovers.

As founder of the Network of Professional Pet Carers, I can attest to the fact that the number of pet sitters are also increasing !  Only because there is an increasing demand for this type of service. Professional Pet Sitters will take care of all your pets needs, they will provide your pet with food and water at regular intervals and ensure that they are fed in a healthy way. They will also spend time with your pet engaging them in playful activities and give them the exercise that they need so that when you are back you will not find a depressed and hungry pet but a happy and active pet.

With Professional Pet Sitting services, you don’t have to worry about putting your dog with other animals in the kennel boarding where they can contract infections or where they can be bullied by stronger dogs. (The same can be said about catteries.) It is important that you should find a reliable and experienced Professional Pet Sitter in your locality.

If Gold Coast Pet Sitting cannot be of service, as Founder of the Network of Professional Pet Carers Gold Coast, I can have a variety of other professional service providers contact you or you can easily find a Professional Pet Sitter in your suburb by using the Network’s website, which has a comprehensive database of Professional Pet Sitters in almost all the Gold Coast. Visit www.goldcoastpets.com.au/petwise to find your Professional Pet Sitter today.

Contact Vanessa at Gold Coast Pet Sitting for your free no obligation quote !

Tess (Left) + Kimba (Right) | Photo by Vanessa | © Gold Coast Pet Sitting - All rights reserved

From Vanessa (The Owner):

1 – My clients (the dogs) always have a positive attitude !

2 – Plenty of the pet parents have commented on my slender frame – this is because my “job” keeps me fit !  At the same time, do not underestimate my strength.

3 – I love making Marnie jealous !

4 – I’m a forever student amongst the animals.  Animals are the best teachers and listeners in the world.

5 – My love for all the animals in my care and life is endless and it is returned ten-fold.

Connor (Left) + Tosh (Right) | Photo by Francy | © Gold Coast Pet Sitting - All rights reserved

From Francy:

1 – It’s not work, it’s going out for a play with my four-legged friends

2 – A dog’s tail wag is not fake and wider than any human’s smile !

3 – Your “customers” are always happy to see you

4 – Because walking, running, playing and laughing keeps you very healthy

5 – As a professional pet sitter I get to “hang out” with a great variety of all kinds of animals and also discover some great hidden walks, lakes and forests on the Gold Coast !

As a founding member of the Gold Coast Network of Professional Pet Carers, I’ve noticed the business of dog sitting has grown considerably! Dog sitters make sure that your beloved pet is walked and fed properly while you are away or at work.  Dog sitters are also known as pet carers, pet sitting, dog minders or dog walkers.

If you’re trying to figure out what to look for in a professional dog sitter, consider the following:

• What is your budget ?

Whilst using a friend, family member, neighbourhood kid and so forth is the obvious affordable option as they will do it for free I can assure you as a professional pet carer who has “job shared” with family friends or relatives or neighbours, the saying “you get what you pay for” (or in this case do not pay) is true.  These people have their own lives and usually their own animals thus may not put the needs of your animal(s) at the top of their list or even miss visits because they know you have employed the services of a professional dog sitter.

At the same time, using someone who is obviously doing this for some extra side cash or a paying hobby (thus not charging the same price as professional services like us at Gold Coast Pet Sitting) isn’t always the next best option.  No doubt they have a passion/love for animals (and may have plenty of their own) or else they would not have opted to do this for some extra cash or a paying hobby!  Please be very aware that these people are doing this around their current life and jobs.  They will most likely be doing it all by themselves without a support network behind them or even procedures/systems in place for all the situations that can arise or just not have the same professionalism. Since they are not a full time business (only a paying hobby or extra side income), their own lives will come first.  Even the vet nurse working at your vet who is offering dog walking or pet sitting isn’t the best option.  This vet nurse has to be available for any last minute emergencies at her current workplace first and foremost thus may work long hours.  If you work long hours that are emotionally and physically draining (“on your feet”), you know you are not always going to be operating at your best at the end of the day.

• Does your dog sitter have an Australian Business Number, Company Number and/or Registered Business Name ?

This along with the next point below is the huge point of difference between someone doing this as a hobby or extra income versus a professional dog sitter.  Leaving the care of your beloved animals should be approached just like you would if you were to hire any contractor such as a plumber or electrician.  This shows that the person has determined they want to be different and more professional than the “kid next door”.

Just a note in regards to registered business names: after the first year of having the business name it costs the owner of the name to acquire a current certificate from the Office of Fair Trading. Not all business owners will opt to purchase this certificate + instead will give you their current business name number instead. If you really want to do your research, you’ll have to invest up to $50 to get a “business name extract” from the Office of Fair Trading to receive further details (such as when the business name is due for renewal, if it is a current business name, and so forth.

You can check to see if a business name is currently registered by clicking here and you can check if someone’s ABN is in fact their own ABN by clicking here.  It is illegal for someone to use an ABN that is NOT in their own name.

• Does the dog sitter have their own public liability insurance ?  Can they show you a copy of the certificate of insurance ?

Do not just take their word that they are insured.  Organisations such as Australian and New Zealand Pet Sitting Organisation will only list businesses who have shown proof of insurance – ask for the same proof when you meet them!  It is easy for anyone to “say” they are insured.  This insurance will also help with your peace of mind.  This person is taking the responsibility of the care of your home and property (which includes your animals as they are legally considered property) seriously. This point alone can separate a lot of people because insurance is costly and some people are not planning to do this for that long.

• Trust Google versus the Yellow Pages

If the business fails to show within the first or second page of your organic (not paid) search results on Google please do not bother with them as a business.  Anyone can be listed in the Yellow Pages – it doesn’t take any skill, effort or investment to have a basic listing.  Not just anyone can be listed and show up on the first or second page of organic (not paid – ignore the yellow paid listings) search results on Google.  This takes an investment by a person whether their own time, effort and/or skill or hiring someone else to do so.  This also reflects on the quality of the business too.

When searching for professional pet carers to join the Gold Coast Network of Professional Pet Carers, I did use the Yellow Pages online to contact people. The difference between the quality of professionalism with the people I found via Google and the people listed within the Yellow Page astounded me !  It still does to this day.

Along the same lines, check that the website you are visiting is up-to-date!

• Find an independent website to search for reviews and check references

I encourage this even with my own business.  Anyone can create a testimonials page!

Gold Coast Pet Sitting purposefully became a member of the Ask Erni directory of businesses because it is independent.  The team behind Ask Erni will interview businesses (as they did me) to ensure they are a good fit for the directory.  This ensures you, as the consumer, are only given quality business listing within this resource.

Do not trust reviews you see on Google Maps as these can be created by anyone with an email account. There is no real verification in these reviews.

I hope the above has been of assistance in helping you to find the best dog sitter for you.

When your pets start to chew on grass, there is no need to be concerned. It is a normal and natural behavior.  Dogs are omnivore, and require both plants and meats to survive.  When you find your dog eating grass, they are getting more roughage in their diet to aid in digestion.  You may also find that some animals just enjoy the taste of grass.

Cats on the other hand, are carnivores.  They do not need as much foliage in their diets like dogs do.  When you find your cateating grass, it may be to aid them in digestion as well.   A lot of pet stores do carry catnip grass just for cats.  Cats seem to enjoy the taste.

Both dogs and cats like to eat grass, and it does not mean they are sick.  It is true you may find your dog eating grass before he vomits, but this again is to aid in digestion.  He is probably eating the grass to help settle his stomach.  Same goes for cats that may have eaten something that was hard to digest.

Be careful not to let your pets eat grass that has been fertilized, sprayed with chemicals, or has bug poisoning on it.  This could be fatal to your pets! If you see your pets eating more grass then usual, and you are concerned about them eating a chemical, you can grow your own grass at home, and offer it to them once a month.  You can do the same for your cats; however it is not necessary, as cats do not need it, they just like the taste and/or texture.

When you see your pets eating grass, pay close attention to what they are eating.  Make sure they do not eat a mushroom.  Some wild mushrooms can be poisonous to dogs and cats.  You will know right away if they did eat one, because they will begin to foam at the mouth, and start acting dizzy.  You will need to take them to the veterinarian urgently.

If you find your dog eating a lot of grass, you may want to switch their dog food to something that has more fiber, or plant material in it.  This is not necessary as long as you don’t mind them eating the grass, but if you are worried about them eating a mushroom, or if your yard is sprayed with fertilizers, then I would switch the dog food, or offer grass that you grow yourself.

Cats sometimes eat grass to help them regurgitate a hairball.  You should not prevent them from eating grass, unless you feel there are harmful chemicals on it.  If this is the case, you can buy cat grass, and make it available to them.  When you see them eating grass, let them be; only they know what their system needs.  Grass eating is a very normal behavior in both cats and dogs, so when it occurs there is no need to be alarmed. They are just doing what comes naturally to them.

I had returned from a lovely House Sit with a client (hello Charlie Buttons) … and was taking out the garbage.

These are the two Guinea Pigs I found today

In my unit complex there is a huge tree and garden area in the front of all the units.  There was some movement near the fence (between my unit complex and the next one) in ‘my’ garden. It took me a second to realise.. hang on here.. they look like Guinea Pigs !

Of course I couldn’t help myself – I had to rescue them. LOL! I approached them with a calm soothing voice as well in a slow manner (so as to not scare them).  Wow! They were tame!  No bites. No real struggle. A bit of a verbal protest but otherwise the first Guinea Pig (the dark brindle one) let me put it on my knee + pat it.  The second one (the tri colour one) was the same.

If I was in a different situation, you can bet good money I would kept them (after they would’ve had a check up of course).

The container I ‘housed’ them within whilst I got ready to take them to the local vet was my un-used disinfected ‘big’ kitty litter tray.  Boy am I glad I didn’t throw it out! I also found the most grainy food I had as well as gave them some water.  Woha! They WERE hungry lil buggers! They didn’t really care about the water – gimme the food!!!

YAY! Food! nomnomnomnom

Well, now Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue will be contacted via the vet on my behalf.  I’m going to contact them myself today to inquire if they picked these two gorgeous creatures from the local vet I left them within so as I can follow “their story” (hopefully they passed the check up!).

I do have to wonder tho’…. are they lost or were they released?  None-the-less, these two Guinea Pigs were VERY lucky to be in ‘my’ garden at that point in time when I had returned from a Live In House Sit booking!  A part of me wants to believe that they “knew” I was their angel.

Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue

Also a courtesy mention to Super Butcher Yatala Fans – THANK YOU !