Memberships and Certifications ~ Certified in Pet First Aid and CPR by the American Red Cross ~ Pet Sitters International ~ Pet Sitters Associates LLC ~ Professional United Pet Sitters ~ Proactive Pet Sitters Association ~ National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

FAQs

WHEN should I use a professional Dog Walker or Pet Sitter?
WHY would I use a professional Dog Walker?
WHY would I use a professional Pet Sitter?
WHY should I use choose River City Rover as my Dog Walker or Pet Sitter?
What if you don't provide service in my area?

WHEN would I use a professional Dog Walker or Pet Sitter?

• When you go on vacation.
• When you travel for work.
• When you work long hours.
• If you have a puppy, older dog or energetic dog that needs a break during the day.
• If you have a dog or cat that needs medication.
• If you have been injured or have an illness that prevents you from exercising your dog.
• If you are welcoming a new addition to your family. You’ll be lucky to find time to sleep, much less care for your pets! This is a great gift for new parents.
• If you have taken on additional responsibilities like caring for a parent you may find you need help with your pets or perhaps with theirs.

WHY would I use a professional Dog Walker?

Doggy Health - Regular exercise is essential for ensuring good health for all dogs. Puppy Rovers, Rambunctious Rovers and Older Rovers all benefit greatly from regular mid-day walks or breaks.

Daily breaks help with housebreaking puppies. Older Rovers often need more breaks then they did when they were younger. Rambunctious Rovers definitely need exercise and socialization during the day. We believe a tired dog is a good dog and a good dog means a happy pet parent.

The Joy of Dog Companionship - Dog Walkers can become your partners in dog ownership. We allow busy people to enjoy the love and companionship of their dog while knowing that they are providing the exercise and attention their dog needs. You can feel good (and guilt-free!) coming home to a happy, well exercised dog. We LOVE making this possible.

WHY would I use a professional Pet Sitter?

Convenience - We arrive right on your doorstep. If you typically use a kennel, both you and your pet(s) avoid the trouble and trauma of transportation to and from the kennel. Your pets are at home waiting for you when you return. In addition you will not need to vaccinate your pet for Bordetella (kennel cough). This is required by most kennels.

The Comforts of Home for Your Pets - While we can’t replace YOU we can make sure that your pet(s) will have all the other comforts of home. Pets are much less stressed when they are in a familiar environment following their normal routine. By using a pet sitter you will know that your pet(s) will enjoy the comfort of their own home, sleep in their bed, play with their toys and see, smell and hear all the things they are used to.

Home Security - We also provide added security by checking on your home while you are away. We will bring in your mail and newspapers, alternate lights, blinds and curtains, water plants and take out your garbage. We give your home a “lived in” look while you are gone.

Professionalism - Your pets are our top priority. We will treat them as though they were our own. We are responsible adults and pet lovers. We are fully insured and bonded. We are certified in Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross. We continue our education through books, classes, podcasts and volunteer opportunities.

Why should I use choose River City Rover as my Dog Walker or Pet Sitter?

In any business there are many decisions to make, we take a very thoughtful approach and make our choices based on what we think will result in the best care and service to you and your furry family members. These are not always the easiest choices, but we feel they are the right choices. Here are just some of the decisions that we have made that put us in the position to provide the very best to you and your pets. Compare to other companies you are considering.

We use Employees NOT Independent Contractors

Our employees ARE employees, not independent contractors (ICs). ICs are in business for themselves and cannot be instructed in how to perform work. They cannot be required to attend company training or be supervised by experienced company employees. Though is it easier from an administrative perspective to use ICs, we knew that we would have to make the more difficult choice of hiring employees. By choosing to use employees we can assure you that they will be trained and supervised. All employees undergo a criminal background check by a professional employment screening service. We require all of our employees to become certified in Pet First Aid and CPR as soon as possible after being hired.

We are Insured and Bonded

River City Rover is fully insured and bonded for your protection and peace of mind. We are bonded because we understand bonding is expected by most clients. However, after carefully reviewing bonding polices and how they work, we were surprised to learn that a bond will only apply (this means pay) after it has been proven that the accused party has committed a criminal act. We didn’t know that - did you?

After learning this we took an extra step to purchase a special endorsement to our insurance that provides broader coverage and includes losses such as breakage and damage. This provides greater protection for you and is solely for your benefit.

What if you don't provide service in my area?

If we do not service your area we recommend that you visit the free online locators of the the two major professional pet sitter organizations. Both of them allow you to search their member service providers by zip code. You should still meet with them, check their references, insurance, etc. and do whatever else you need to do to be comfortable that you are selecting the best pet sitter for your pet's needs. Since not all local pet sitters are members of these organizations, please feel free to contact us if you need additional assistance and we will do our best to make a recommendation or find someone for you.

Pet Sitters International
Locate a Pet Sitter

National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
Locate a Pet Sitter

Even if we DO service your area, you may want to use the locators to be sure you have explored all your options for service providers in your area. We love an educated client. In addition, both organizations have a lot of very good information for pet owners. They have documentation on topics such as traveling with your pet, disaster preparedness and preparing your home before you go away.

Pet Sitters International
For Pet Owners

National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
For Pet Owners