Overnight Care
During overnight stays, PetPals, LLC expects Independent Contractors (ICs) to provide comprehensive care for both the pets and the client's home, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment in the client's absence. Responsibilities extend beyond standard pet care tasks and include various aspects of home management.
ICs establish a "home base" by bringing necessary items for the overnight stay and adhering to the routines and schedules outlined by the client. Familiarity with the home's layout, key areas, and specific client instructions provided during the Meet and Greet is essential to ensure seamless care.
Maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in the client's home reflects respect for both the client and their space. Tasks include cleaning surfaces, vacuuming floors, washing dishes, and ensuring that bedding and towels are clean before departure. Clients returning from their travels should find their home in the same or better condition than when they left. ICs are to adhere to a 10 pm curfew, remaining inside the home by this time, per the service agreement. Taking photos of the home before settling in can serve as a reference to ensure everything is returned to its original state upon departure.
Accepting overnight care responsibilities includes committing to the home and pet care needs outlined by the client. Advocacy for the client's and pets' needs is an integral part of the role, including communicating with the team if supplies or resources need replenishment, such as running out of dog food. Proactive planning and maintaining communication with the team are vital to upholding PetPals' high standards for overnight care.
Overview of Midday Coverage for Overnight Pet Sitting
Midday coverage during overnight pet sitting offers flexibility to both the pet sitter and the client. It allows the sitter to manage personal plans or take breaks while ensuring that the pet’s care is uninterrupted. This approach provides a balanced solution for meeting the pets’ needs and the sitter’s ability to have time away from the client’s home.
Its important to support our overnight pet sitters as they have arguably the hardest job of them all. While providing overnight care may sound simple, it takes dedication to spend nights away from personal pets/home comforts.
Midday Coverage Scenarios for Sitters
Dinner Coverage for Personal Plans
If a sitter has evening commitments, they can arrange for a midday visit or a dinner visit as part of the pet’s care. For example:The sitter leaves the client’s home in the late afternoon.
Another Pal provides a dinner drop-in to ensure the pet receives care during the sitter's absence.
The sitter then returns later in the evening to continue overnight care.
Extended Overnight Care with Drop-In Visits
For longer overnight stays where the sitter wants to return home briefly during the day:The sitter provides morning and evening care, as well as overnight coverage.
A midday or afternoon drop-in visit is scheduled to ensure the pet is attended to during the sitter’s absence.
This option is ideal for sitters who need to recharge or handle personal errands.
Overnight Packing List
| Essentials | Checked |
|---|---|
| ID, Wallet, Credit/Debit Cards, Cash | |
| Phone & Charger | |
| Keys |
| Clothes | Checked |
|---|---|
| 2-3 outfits you can easily wash | |
| Pajamas / Loungewear | |
| Jacket or Sweater | |
| Shoes (comfortable for walking) |
| Optional | Checked |
|---|---|
| Sheets for shorter overnights | |
| Pillow from home |
| Toiletry Bag | Checked |
|---|---|
| Toothbrush & Toothpaste | |
| Face Wash & Moisturizer | |
| Hairbrush/Comb & Hair Ties | |
| Makeup & Makeup Remover (if you use) | |
| Deodorant | |
| Shampoo & Conditioner | |
| Body Wash or Soap |
| Entertainment | Checked |
|---|---|
| Laptop w/ charger | |
| Portable charger | |
| Book, Journal | |
| Games |