Tom & Desiree's Pet Sitting

04/22/2025

04/21/2025

❗️🐱 ATTN: CAT PARENTS!!🐱❗️
Did you receive Easter lilies from your church or perhaps a friend or family member sent them to you? If you are a cat owner, DO NOT bring the lilies into your home! Every part of an Easter lily is toxic to cats (including the pollen and water dish) & even a small amount can cause kidney damage.

Learn more about lily toxicity in cats here: https://aercmn.com/save-a-cat-this-spring/

04/20/2025

Happy Easter from all of us at Tom & Desiree's Pet Sitting! 🐰🐣🐰🐶🐾😸🐹

04/17/2025

⭐Why should you only use a professional pet sitter?⭐

The growing need for pet care has prompted many tech companies and venture capitalists to enter the industry in recent years to launch pet-care apps and similar platforms, and individuals have joined the gig economy to earn extra cash as an occasional pet sitter or dog walker.

However, for pet parents who want the best care for their pets, selecting a professional pet-sitting or dog-walking company is a must!

Seeking out the services of a local professional pet-sitting business ensures you are utilizing the services of a local professional that is rooted in your community, involved in local pet-related efforts and is contributing to your local economy

PSI advises pet parents to do their due diligence to ensure they are hiring true professionals. The association offers a few tips:

1️⃣Schedule an in-person meeting. 👉PSI advises pet parents to schedule an in-person meeting with any potential pet sitter they are considering. This “meet and greet” or “initial consultation” gives pet parents an opportunity to meet the pet sitter, see them interact with their pets, and review their services as well as their credentials and policies.

2️⃣Ask the right questions. 👉PSI’s free Pet Sitter Interview Checklist includes important questions every pet parent should ask—from whether the pet-sitting company is bonded and insured to whether they use a pet-sitting services agreement or contract.

3️⃣Ask for recommendations if needed. 👉Don’t delay booking your professional pet sitter. Many professional pet sitters find that their summer schedules get booked up quickly. If the professional pet-sitting service you contact is booked, be sure to ask them for a recommendation, as most are happy to provide referrals to other reputable pet-sitting companies in your area.

04/13/2025

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, which is a project of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition.

As a pet parent, keep these tips in mind to help prevent dog bites this week—and all year long:

1. Share information about your dog’s history with your pet sitter. If you are using the services of a professional pet sitter or dog walker, remember they are tasked with keeping your pet safe and with trying to avoid problems when they encounter other people or pets. Let your pet sitter or dog walker know about any aggressive tendencies your dog has shown before, anything that stresses or freaks out the dog, and any other relevant information.

2. Do not interact with a dog without permission. Dog lovers may be tempted to pet any dog they encounter, but they should exercise restraint. Many pet sitters don’t allow interaction with the pets in their care, so ask before approaching any dog.

3. Keep your dog on a leash and stay alert. If you are walking your dog, make sure to obey all local leash laws, and understand that even where off-leash walking is permitted, it can be dangerous. Off-leash dogs can present a danger not only to a dog in a pet sitter’s care, but also to the pet sitter. The off-leash dog could even be the victim if it runs up to a dog that does not want to socialize.

04/11/2025

National Pet Day is celebrated on April 11th each year to honor and appreciate the joy and companionship that pets bring to our lives. It’s also a day to raise awareness about animals in shelters that are in need of loving homes.

It’s the perfect time to spoil your furry, feathered, or scaly friends with extra treats, playtime, and cuddles! Many people also use this day to donate to animal shelters, adopt a pet, or spread awareness about responsible pet ownership.

Are you planning anything special for your pet on National Pet Day? 🐾💕

04/04/2025

Happy World Rat Day! 🐭❤️

Today, we’re celebrating these intelligent, affectionate, and often misunderstood little companions! Pet rats are social, playful, and full of personality—they deserve all the love and appreciation.

If you’re a proud rat parent, take a moment to spoil your little whiskered friend today! Need a reliable pet sitter who understands the special care rats need? We’re here to help!

Drop a photo of your pet rats in the comments—we’d love to see their adorable faces! 📸🐾

04/02/2025

Happy National Ferret Day! 🥳🐾

Today, we’re celebrating these playful, curious, and oh-so-adorable little companions! Ferrets may be small, but they have BIG personalities, and they bring so much joy to their families.

If you're a ferret parent, give your fuzzy friend some extra cuddles today! Need a trusted sitter for your ferret while you’re away? We’re here to help with expert care tailored to their unique needs.

Drop a photo of your ferret in the comments—we’d love to see them! 📸💕

04/01/2025

At Tom & Desiree's Pet Sitting, we want to be prepared for anything that can happen during our pet-sitting and dog-walking visits. While April may be Pet First Aid Awareness Month, we focus on our pet first aid knowledge year-round. We complete the Pet First Aid & CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals course available through Pet Sitters International and re-certify every two years.

03/29/2025

https://www.science.org/content/article/can-ai-read-pain-and-other-emotions-your-dog-s-face

New approach for interpreting expressions in pets and livestock could improve animal welfare

03/19/2025

🐾 National Animal Poison Prevention Week Reminder 🐾

This week is National Animal Poison Prevention Week, and it's the perfect time to ensure your home is safe for your furry friends! 🐶🐱🐾

Here are some common household hazards to watch out for:

🚫 Foods like chocolate, grapes, and onions

🚫 Plants such as lilies (toxic to cats) and sago palms

🚫 Medications — even small amounts can be dangerous

🚫 Cleaning Products — keep these securely stored

Quick Tip: Save the ASPCA Animal Poison Control number in your phone: (888) 426-4435.

As your trusted pet sitters, we are always mindful of these risks while caring for your pets. Let's keep our furry family members safe and happy! ❤️

03/19/2025

🐹 March is Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month! 🐹

Thinking about adding a furry friend to your family? Guinea pigs make wonderful companions — they're social, gentle, and full of personality! Sadly, many end up in shelters waiting for loving homes.

If you’re considering adoption, here are some tips:

✅ Guinea pigs thrive with a buddy — consider adopting a pair!
✅ They need plenty of space, fresh veggies, and daily care.
✅ With patience and love, they’ll warm up to you and become part of the family.

Already have a guinea pig? We're here to help! Whether you need pet sitting while you're away or tips on keeping your little one happy, we've got you covered.

🐾 Let's give these adorable critters the second chance they deserve! 🐾

03/15/2025

It's time to share your love for the best pet sitter. The guy who the pets leap for joy to be with (Sadie and Ellie), or smile the entire walk with him (Hami), and stare lovingly and cuddle with (Shelby).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM!

03/05/2025

Did you know that today (March 5) is Thank Your Pet Sitter Day™?

There are easy ways to help support your local professional pet sitter or dog walker, even when you aren't in need of their services!

✔️Refer!
✔️Review!
✔️Repost!

03/05/2025

March 2nd-March 8th is Professional Pet Sitters Week!

So, in honor of this week, let's bust a myth:

Pet sitting is too expensive!

Not entirely true. Actually, it can be a surprisingly valuable investment. Let's compare options:

🐾 Friend/Family: May be free, but are they experienced? Trained? Insured? Reliable? What if something goes wrong? Are they trained in pet first aid or CPCR?

🐾 Boarding Kennel: Stressful environment for many pets. Limited individual attention. Risk of illness.

Often, neither one provides you with regular updates on your pet, so you have no clue what is going on.

vs.

🐾 Professional Pet Sitter: Personalized care in your pet's home. Experienced, insured, and bonded, as well as trained/certified in the latest and most up-to-date best practices in the business. Often has first aid/CPCR training (we do! 😁) Regular report card updates with photos, so you know exactly what is going on with your pet! Peace of mind for you.

Think about the true cost of pet care. Professional pet sitters offer exceptional value and peace of mind for your money.

02/26/2025

As a CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter, I (Tom) regularly participate in continuing education to maintain my certification and stay up-to-date on the latest best practices for business and pet care. For example, I recently completed the Aggressive Cats and How to Handle Them Pet Sit Pro Mini Course, and am excited to apply all I have learned to our business. Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your pets!

02/26/2025

🐾We haven't done a Pet of the Week in a while since we've been so busy, so here's to trying to get back on track with it. 😃

Meet Zeus. He's a Cane Corso and one of the most lovable boys you will meet. He loves to play tug-of-war, fetch, and be brushed. And let's not forget, he LOVES to go on his daily trail walk! He will also attempt to be the biggest lap dog 😄 and if he likes you enough, you may even get some doggy kisses. 🐶

Thanks for being part of the pack, Zeus! 🥰

02/20/2025

🐾 Happy Love Your Pet Day!🐾

Today’s all about showering our furry (or feathered!) friends with extra love and care. Whether it’s an extra treat, belly rub, or a long walk, let’s make our pets feel how much they mean to us. 💕

At Tom & Desiree's Pet Sitting, we treat your pets like family every day! Need someone to show your pet love while you’re away? We’ve got you covered.

Share a photo of your pet being spoiled today—we’d love to see! 📸

Have any questions about caring for your pet? Drop those in the comments too, and we'll answer them throughout the day!