Dog Community

Question for all

Posted : 8/5/2007 9:47:11 PM

OK, I need some thoughts on this.

I am a pet sitter. Before I take a new dog or cat I go over and visit with the new pet, meet the owners and go over a lot of questions I have for them. That could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the type of owner. Then I have them give me a little tour of the house-just the parts I will be in, show me where things are kept, we try the key, etc.

Anyway, the last question I ask before the tour is-

Who would take care of (insert name) in the event that God forbid something happens and you don't return home?

(These are people who are going away. I normally don't ask it if I'm just going to be doing daily walks although it could come up if the person is single. If the parents are a married couple it's highly unlikely they will both not come home if something happens on the way home from work because they usually aren't traveling together.

What do you think of this question being asked? Does it make you uncomfortable? Do you feel like it's unnecessary? What would you think if a pet sitter asked you this? I started asking this after 911. You never know. And, I know I can't take them all in.

The reason I ask is because I felt I got an uncomfortable vibe from my most recent two new clients.

I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks.

glenmar

Posted : 8/5/2007 9:54:27 PM

Lori, if your gut says to ask, go for it. I would rather someone KNOW the answer than to guess.

Hunterwayit

Posted : 8/5/2007 9:55:15 PM

I think I would be uncomfortable being asked that outright but maybe if you had a contact form for all emercency contacts etc and worked that into it somehow.

Luvntzus

Posted : 8/5/2007 9:57:27 PM

I think it would be best to just ask for an emergency contact. That person would be able to handle things from there. I guess I don't think it's really necessary or appropriate to ask anything beyond that.

FourIsCompany

Posted : 8/5/2007 9:59:38 PM

I wouldn't mind at all. I think it's an important question. Perhaps they were uncomfortable because they hadn't thought of it before?

DumDog

Posted : 8/5/2007 10:06:45 PM

with me... i wouldnt mind. that crosses my mind daily.... i know my kids would be fine with family, but my dogs? God save them.... no one in MY family wants anything to do with them. our annoying relative visits have decreased drastically because of the breed we own [8|]

but for some people... i would have to agree that asking for an emergency contact would be less.... brash ,i suppose the word might be. my mother inlaw for example would probably be weirded out by it. but in her old age, everything must be sugar coated.

besides.... when you fill out job apps, or day care services.. they ask for emergency contacts.

Dawn Stroup

Posted : 8/5/2007 10:59:04 PM

I think this is an appropriate question. I personally have all my pets with 'in case' homes. Maybe these people have just never thought about it, I think many really nice pets end up in the pound that way. But I would keep asking that question because maybe it will start them thinking and planning (God forbid).

sillysally

Posted : 8/5/2007 11:50:21 PM

I would have no problem with such a question. Actually, it would give me more confidence in you as a pet sitter (I'd feel like you were very much on top of things). I say ask it.

ETA: IMHO there is a difference between an emergency contact and someone who will take the pets if something happens to the owner. If I had to fill out a form that asked both of those questions, my answers would be different for both of them. Plus, if there are multiple pets they may be split up and go to difference people. I would think that the owners telling the pet sitter this themselves would prevent issues in the future should the worst happen.

Luvntzus

Posted : 8/5/2007 11:54:46 PM

But wouldn't it be like a babysitter asking who your kid's godparents are? It seems like all you need to know is an emergency contact.

janet_rose

Posted : 8/6/2007 5:23:49 AM

luvntzus
But wouldn't it be like a babysitter asking who your kid's godparents are?

No, because there are laws, courts, and social services to control where children go if their parents have not specified guardians. Babysitters are never put in the position of either adopting their chargers or leaving them where they are not well cared for and safe.

The emergency contact for most people is someone that they trust with managing their pet's health care and who has authorization to spend the owner's money for that purpose. This could be an elderly grandmother who lives in an apartment and has no way to care for, say, 3 Rottweilers.

I would think that most people who are uncomfortable with the question simply have not made plans for their pets in the case of their death. They are uncomfortable with admitting that.

A petsitter would probably be better off having owners fill out a form a day or two before the conversation where it is discussed. This way people don't have to say "I don't know" with no time to come up with answers.

spiritdogs

Posted : 8/6/2007 7:04:48 AM

What do you think of this question being asked?

ASK!!!!! And, don't worry about what the person thinks. Chances are they have not even thought about this, and need to. In fact, when I am asking the elders that very question, and they say something like, "Oh, call my son, I'm sure he'd take Fifi." I tell them to call the son and ask directly. Then, I tell them I'm just making sure because of a son I knew (true story) who left his mother's cat in her apt. alone for three months. The cat got adopted by another elderly resident of the building, after the manager paid to feed it for the whole time it was alone... I use 9/11 as an example all the time!

paulaedwina

Posted : 8/6/2007 7:05:32 AM

As a rescue volunteer, having had to place ridgebacks when an owner has died unplanned, I have an 'in the event of my death or disability' thing for all my animals. However, I do think asking someone that point blank is off putting. I would ask for emergency contacts and vet information and leave it at that.

I understand your post-911 feeling. I used to live right outside Fort Detrick and when 9-11 happened and they sent us home, we packed our vehicles waiting to evacuate. Since then I've always keept in mind how I was going to evacuate ALL my animals. I drive a Tahoe.

Paula

mrv

Posted : 8/6/2007 7:20:20 AM

Not only would I ask, I would offer them a copy of an advanced directive they could complete and have noterized. My dogs have them and the papers are carried in the car when we travel. I will share a copy if you would like.

houndlove

Posted : 8/6/2007 7:37:25 AM

I would maybe not be so up front about the death angle, but ask instead, "Do you have a plan for your pets if you have an accident and are unable to return home on schedule?"

For me, I don't have a specific set of homes worked out for my animals because I know that my parents would handle it in the way I'd want them to (and I know everyone says this but if you were to meet them and talk to them about my pets, you'd see how I can be so certain). But if someone were to ask if I had homes lined up or a plan in place, I'd have to say no. What I have are my parents who love my pets to pieces and are responsible pet owners themselves and I know they would find good homes for my crew among our friends and family. I leave them as the emergency contact and I know they'd handle things should there be an actual emergency. Maybe when you get an emergency contact you could ask, "Would this person be available to handle the situation if there was an emergency in which you were unable to return home for quite some time?"

marynh

Posted : 8/6/2007 7:58:13 AM

I personally would have no problem with that question...I would be impressed by you that you would care enough to ask!!!!
Actually I have that info all written down, notarized, and a copy given to everyone who has graciously accepted the care of my pets in case of mine and my husband's demise.
We're all gonna die eventually best to have everything covered.