I made it a priority to talk about the difference between professional pet sitters and those who are simply not that professional in my last BLOG.
There is a reason why I keep pondering the issue! Unfortunately, in this uncertain economy with high unemployment rates, many have turned to halfhearted efforts to make a few $$$ as fast as they can without being serious - or even worse, those con-artists who make you believe to be professional - who are a far cry from that!
As I learned recently , there was an incident in Scottsdale Arizona, which did not end up as “purrfect” as the case The Purrfect Nanny was involved in. Read our story on our BLOG.
Now back to the case in Arizona. It was probably an easy decision to hire Amanda. Amanda, who represented herself as a professional pet sitter to the owners of four lovely dogs. Those owners trusted Amanda with the life or their dogs and the safety of their home. What could possibly go wrong? Amanda presented herself as a trustworthy individual with a professional website. I’m sure those folks thought they found the perfect person to take care of their pets. Instead they ran into a con-artist. Be aware, there is nothing easier nowadays than to create a website, many companies even provide free templates! A website alone, does not mean you are dealing with a professional!
Amanda did not do what she was supposed to do. Indeed, she is suspected of having locked out two of the dogs in the yard during the night, resulting in their horrible death.
Read the story, published by AZ Family below!
But before you do that, let me tell you what is an essential part of the hiring process, so you can make an educated decision, whether or not the company you are hiring is a professional pet sitting service.
- Ask family and friends for recommendations.
- Do a web search and find out as much as possible about the company you are planing to hire.
- Invite the pet sitter for a complimentary visit and find out if you and the sitter are a fit.
- Ask the company if there has been a background check performed on the sitter.
- Ask the company for insurance and bonding. If you are not 100% sure you can trust them - let them show you prove of the aforementioned.
- Check if the company is a member in good standing of professional associations, such as NAPPS and ASPE.
- If you feel good about the pet sitter and the company they represent, don’t be shy to ask for references. Any company with good client relations will be able to provide you with at least 3 client recommendations.
- Make sure you get a call, text, or e-mail a day or two before your sitting starts - confirming the sitting one last time.
- Make sure you read the company policies and pay your bill if the company requires payment upfront.
- Ask your sitter to keep you update on your pets well-being while you are gone.
And now, read the story and let me know if you will follow my advise next time!
SCOTTSDALE — They walk, swim, eat and sleep side by side, but the four dogs aren’t just best friends, they’re family to John Reynolds and his wife Joanna O’Neal.
“Our life revolves around our dogs, from the second we wake up to the time we go to bed,” O’Neal said.
The couple even wanted to take them on their vacation to Mexico over the holidays.
“That wasn’t an option,” Reynolds said.
The couple tried another route and contacted a woman named Amanda Turner with a business called Amanda’s Pet Sitting.
O’Neal said Turner visited their home before deciding to hire her. She wanted Turner to meet their four dogs and to discuss their food, sleep and play schedules.
“She seemed great!” O’Neal said. “I mean, I got a very good feeling from her.”
O’Neal says Turner agreed to stay overnight at their home — 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. — for the three nights they were away.
When the couple returned from their vacation, however, they made a horrifying discovery.
“It was a bloodbath back here,” O’Neal said.
Two of the dogs — Jack and Reggie — were dead, both reportedly attacked by a bobcat in the backyard. Reynolds and O’Neal say an animal control professional helped confirm that claim.
The couple believes Turner did not stay overnight like she was paid to. Instead, they believe she left the two larger dogs outside overnight, which is when the attack happened, killing Jack, and injuring Reggie so badly that he had to be put down.
“He survived a brain tumor and skin cancer, and this just isn’t how I thought I was going to have to say goodbye to him,” Reynolds said. “It’s been tough.”
We found Turner on Facebook.
We also found her mugshot. It turns out, Turner is a convicted felon who is still on probation for theft.
“This person should not be having a job where she has keys to people’s house,” O’Neal said.
We couldn’t find Amanda’s Pet Sitting at any of the addresses listed for the business.
Turner declined our request for an interview but, over the phone, told 3 On Your Side that her theft conviction is completely unrelated to her pet-sitting business.
As for Jack and Reggie, Turner says she was at the home but doesn’t know how she slept right through the attack.
In the meantime, Reynolds and O’Neal have paid to have bobcat traps on their property to try to protect their remaining two dogs, dogs now without their best friends and owners still trying to figure out how this could have happened.
“This should’ve never happened,” O’Neal said.
“Nothing we can do will bring, will bring those two back,” Reynolds said.
The couple has filed a lawsuit against Turner in justice court.
If you’re looking for a pet sitter, your best bet is to find one through word of mouth. Ask around, and once you find one, be sure to check references.
This is the end of the story - a very sad end, don’t you think so? Please don’t do the same mistake.
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