Aquatic pets and reptiles are only a couple of the pets that can't usually be boarded with the local vet.
Anyone who has ever been astounded by the high cost of boarding a pet at a kennel, or worse, has tried to board a pet that can't be boarded, may have considered hiring a kid to do the job. A responsible young person can benefit from such owners' frustrations and get pet-sitting jobs. Usually, the kid's best source of work is people he knows or small posters placed in pet shops or veterinarian's offices.
Easiest Pets to Sit
Goldfish can be easier to care for.
Any pet that can be cared for once daily or less is an easier pet for which to care. Aquarium dwellers, reptiles and outdoor cats fall into this category. Some of them can even come stay with the young person (if parents agree, of course). For these pets, the pet-sitter should make sure support systems (like filters and heaters) are working, and feed the pets as instructed by the owner. Most pet owners want to be notified if there are any problems so they can let the sitter know what to do.
Slightly More Work
Don't lose the critter while cleaning the cage.
Pets that often need sitting, but may require more work, are small caged animals, like rodents or birds, and sometimes indoor cats and/or outdoor dogs. These pets will generally need care a couple of times a day. In addition to feeding them, the kid need to be prepared to clean out their habitat or litter. Be sure the sitter has clear instructions and a safe way to contain the animal while working.
Substantial Responsibility
Don't forget that dogs kept inside need daily exercise.
Many kids want to be allowed to sit for house dogs. If the kid is well acquainted with the dog, or has lots of experience with dogs in general, he might be a good candidate for sitting a dog kept indoors. Usually these dogs will need to be fed, watered and exercised one or more times a day. The sitter should be prepared to keep a relatively regular schedule for the animal and be comfortable with putting a leash on it. Additionally, the sitter must know exactly what the boundaries are with the dogs. Unless the sitter is very familiar with the animal and neighborhood, it is a good idea to have an adult available anytime the young sitter is outside with the animal. Sitters should be careful about where they place posters for these jobs, so they won't be viewed as taking someone's business. (In other words, a boarding vet may not want a sitter advertising better rates than those on the vet's bulletin board.)
Intensive Responsibility
Young pet-sitters need to be very comfortable around pets like horses to care for them safely.
The job becomes intensive if the pet is exotic or very large, or there are several of them. Even fish aquariums take a lot of work with 10 of them in a house. For an exotic pet, make certain the sitter fully understands all the responsibilities involved. The sitter should not hesitate to ask, even if he thinks it sounds stupid. Particularly for these jobs, it's important to write down all of the instructions. It will be a good idea to go through the whole procedure several times while the owner is still present.
Tags: good idea, sitter should, these jobs, with animal, with dogs, young person