Pet Sit & Go
Community Comments

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies
Petifesto

Our Petifesto is a list of criteria to help you make your home exchange as easy as possible for your guests and your beloved little creature(s).

We recommend that at least 80% of these items are covered or dealt with prior to your going away.

  1. Arrange for a neighbour or friend to act as a 'guardian angel' for your pet and home exchangees while you are away. For example, provide them with a key to your house, and arrange for them to greet your guests upon their arrival so she can introduce your pet to them. This helps to ensure a smooth, hassle-free settling in for everyone.
  2. Whoever volunteers to be your Guardian Angel should have transportation, as you may be including your vehicle in your exchange.
  3. With your Guardian Angel's permission, leave his or her phone numbers with your exchangees.
  4. Provide a list of emergency contact numbers including like the local emergency vet, your regular vet, and a nearby people-based medical clinic, and anything else that comes to mind that may be useful. If your guests are from another part of the world, make sure to include 911 on your list under emergency access numbers, as emergency access numbers are different in Europe and other parts of the world.
  5. Provide a list of parks where your dog can be walked.
  6. Make sure you have enough pet food and litter on hand to last the entire time you're away.
  7. Make a note for your exchangees of the following:

    8.  

    if you have a dog:

    1. Where it is usually walked and how often
    2. Has your dog been trained, and so allowed off leash?
    3. What, if any special characteristics does your dog have that your exchangees should be aware of?

     

    if you have a cat:

    1. What areas of the house is it not allowed in?
    2. Is your cat allowed outdoors, and if so, what, if any hazards exist outside — for example, are there coyotes in the area? Are you near a busy road? Are there other cats around that aren't friendly? Do you live in a high rise with a dangerously high balcony?
  8. If you have medical records, including vaccinations, for your pet, make sure you leave them handy, with notes of anything your animal may be allergic to.
  9. If you cannot think of anyone suitable to be your Guardian Angel, try your Vet's office. Very often they will either have people, or know of someone who is reliable who can help. A professional pet sitter may be useful in this situation as well.