In our blog this week, we have the pleasure of speaking to Yanika Cordina who runs Pet Nanny Care in Dorset. Tell us a bit about yourself, Yanika.
Animals have always been a part of my life from a very young age. I loved being surrounded by pets and I have always found it therapeutic. After moving to the UK in 2008 from sunny Malta, I decided to visit a few animal sanctuaries. It was a very emotional experience and I remember being quite upset just looking at all the beautiful animals waiting for a loving, forever home. That’s when I decided it was time for me to adopt two kitties, Honey and Bruce.
Tell us about Pet Nanny Care
The story started in 2014, two years after I adopted my two tabby cats. I had to go away for a week and I was looking to hire a pet sitter to come and visit and care for my cats whilst I was away. Unfortunately, the whole experience wasn’t very positive and when I returned home, the cats were very disorientated. Things were not done properly and it was extremely upsetting. From that moment I knew I could set up something special. Worrying about your pets whilst you’re away from home is the last thing anyone wants. I currently run Pet Nanny Care in Dorset, providing pet sitting service in Poole and Bournemouth areas. I also spend a lot of my time researching and writing about pet products and animal behaviour and I continuously update my readers and followers with interesting facts, tips and product reviews on my blog.
Why would someone hire a pet sitter?
There are many benefits as to why a pet owner should hire a pet sitter instead of asking your neighbour or your friend to pop in. Getting someone to just pop in to feed your pets is not advisable because not enough time is usually spent with your pets to encourage play, mental stimulation and human interaction. A pet sitter’s goal is to ensure your cat is calm, content, mentally stimulated and active whilst their pet owner is away from home. It is their duty to ensure that your pets are being cared for properly. Having more than one pet can also mean that one may get more attention than the other. A reliable pet sitter should ensure that all pets get the attention required during the visits.
How does someone know if they are hiring the right pet sitter?
Getting the right pet sitter is extremely important. There are many pet sitters across the UK so every pet owner should do their research properly before trusting a pet sitter with your beloved pets. I have learnt from my mistakes from hiring a pet sitter that did not meet the standards I was after and I am now glad to share these with you so you don’t have to go through any unpleasant experiences.
-Researching pet sitters within your area that are insured. An insured pet sitter means that they are serious about what they do and what they are offering. Trusting your cats and your home to a stranger whilst you’re away is already a big deal, so spending a little extra to ensure your pets are being cared for properly and that your house remains in order is extremely worthwhile.
-Check out their website, customer reviews, their social media pages if they have any and get in touch with one or two of their customers. Get their feedback so you can make a more informed decision.
-Check how much time they usually spend with your pets and what does the visit comprise of.
-Arrange a suitable time to meet with the pet sitter in your own home. Make sure your pets are around! An initial meeting allows you to express how you’d like your pets to be cared for and it’s also a good way to see how the pet sitter interacts with your pets. Every pet is different and special in their own way.
-Hiring a pet sitter who understands animal behaviour is also important. Pet sitting shouldn’t be taken lightly as there is a lot of responsibility involved. Knowing how to handle certain situations and acting on good judgement and knowledge are important attributes that you should look out for.
-And lastly, hire someone who will truly enjoy interacting and playing with your pets. See how they interact with your pets on the initial visit, check their social media sites, customer reviews and any pet visit pictures they might have on their sites.
What sets you apart from other pet sitters?
My aim as a pet sitter is to bond with the pets I am visiting, ensure that they are happy and relaxed every time I visit and provide reassurance to my customers. Many pet sitters provide a pop in service, where they just go in purely to provide the pets with food and remove pet waste. This type of visit usually lasts between 15-20 minutes. I don’t personally recommend this service to cat or dog owners. Cats and dogs need and seek human interaction and it is really important that your pets get the attention they need. Play and mental stimulation cannot be possibly achieved in 15 minutes.
Apart from visiting many pets, I also enjoy writing, researching and trying new pet product and I keep my customers and followers updated with advice, tips and product reviews through my blog and social media.
If you'd like to find out more, you can look at Yanika’s website www.petnannycare.co.uk
