Tag Archive for: Watch My Pets When I go into Labor

Will You Watch My Pets When I go into Labor?

 

So, you are pregnant and looking forward to the amazing day, but you inevitably think, “Who will watch my pets when I go into labor?”  You are not the only one!  At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we have helped quite a few people in this exact situation, enough that it was decided we needed a blog with all of the details!

If you are still deciding whether you will need a sitter, the answer is yes.  We have had more than one client not think they will need a sitter then call us at the last minute in a panic (from the hospital) to get us to run out and care for their pets.  Either their family that they expected to help out has not made it to town, the labor has been difficult and the husband does not want to leave or the weather is bad and the trip from the hospital will take longer than expected.

Here is the truth:  Adding a human child to the home will be one of the most difficult transitions in the life of your pet.  Do not make the situation worse by stressing out your pets with long stays at home alone broken up by quick trips outside with a distracted family member or friend.  Instead look at this as a time to get your furry friends some extra exercise or playtime.  A sitter can go on special walks or have cuddle time so that when you come home with your new family member your fur child is not already feeling stressed or full of energy.

Plan for needing a pet sitter and do not worry about your fur kids during this important time.  How to prepare depends on whether you are already a client of Wet Noses Pet Sitting.

If you are already a client:

  • Notify our office of the situation and let us know your due date.  We will check on the availability of your regular sitter around that time and notify the sitter of the upcoming dates.  Due to the unknown time we cannot guarantee your regular sitter but we will try to pair you with that person if at all possible.
  • Make sure we have keys to your home.  If you normally have your keys returned, this is not the time for last minute arrangements.  Your primary sitter should have a key and we should have one in our office as a backup.
  • Make sure all of your information it up to date in our system.  If any information changes in the following weeks be sure to change it right away.
  • When the time comes contact us right away!  After hours there is a way to get through to an on call manager, use it!  We will arrange visits according to your requested times.  If your normal sitter is not available we will send a backup sitter, but your pets will be well cared for.
  • Keep in contact.  We will continue services for your pets until we hear from you but it is nice to have an idea of when you plan to return home or if a family member will be taking over.

If you are not a client:

  • Get set up as a client!  If possible consider taking a day or two away to allow your pets to get used to having a sitter in the house.  We do require a $50 minimum to get you set up as a client, which we normally do not require until your appointment but in this case we will require it in advance of meeting your sitter.
  • Notify our office of the situation and let us know your due date.  Even if you do not have an appointment before your due date we will set you up with a sitter and have you meet with the person to gather keys and go over details.  We will attempt to pair you with a sitter that will be available on your due date but due to the unknown time we cannot guarantee the same person.
  • Make sure you keep all of your information up to date in our system.  If any information changes after your client meeting be sure to change it right away.
  • When the time comes contact us right away!  After hours there is a way to get through to an on call manager, use it!  We will arrange visits according to your requested times.  If the sitter you met with is not available we will send a backup sitter, but your pets will be well cared for.
  • Keep in contact.  We will continue services for your pets until we hear from you but it is nice to have an idea of when you plan to return home or if a family member will be taking over.

This can be a stressful time but the proper preparation can make it a little easier for both you and your fur kids!