1. Be sure to confirm your departure dates with your pet sitter a couple of days before you leave to make sure she has the correct dates on her calendar.
2. Count noses right before you leave. You wouldn't want to lock anyone in a closet.
3. Leave written permission for your animals to receive emergency medical care.
4. Also leave written instructions for their food and medication.
5. Make sure any places where your cats can hide completely out of sight are closed off. Your pet sitter should be able to find and see the cats every day to make sure they're okay.
6. Make sure your pets' supplies are easy to find. It's hard for your pet sitter to remember where everything is when she's visiting many, many houses. And have enough supplies on hand. Your pet sitter might not have time to do your shopping for you!
7. Make sure the pet sitter understands your animals' personalities. It's important for her to know your cat may bolt for an open door or your dog will pull as hard as he can in pursuit of a squirrel.
8. Leave a phone number where you can be reached in an emergency. A cell phone number's fine, as long as the phone's always on and with you.
9. Set your thermostat at a temperature that will be comfortable for your animals. Remember, dogs and cats feel the heat and cold, too.
10. If you have a key made for your pet sitter, test it by locking and unlocking the door when it's closed. Sometimes, new keys turn in the lock when the door's open but not when it's closed.
