Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Keeping Your Pets Happy While Selling Your Home

Courtesy of Paw Prints The Magazine

How to Keep Fido’s Tail Wagging While Selling a Home
by Stacy Smith
The process of selling a home is both an exciting and stressful time. With the opportunity for new beginnings in a new home just around the corner, homeowners are busy with frantic activity preparing to show the home to potential buyers. Unfortunately, the hustle and bustle can cause undue stress on household pets, as their familiar surroundings change. With home sales increasing nationwide, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) is reminding pet parents to consider pet-friendly solutions to minimize trauma throughout the process of selling a home.

“Pets are most comfortable when surrounded by familiar sights, sounds and smells,” explained John D’Ariano, President of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. “It’s important to take extra precautions in keeping Fido safe and happy throughout the transition of a home sale.”

To assist pet parents in helping pets cope with changes throughout a home sale, NAPPS is providing the following tips and recommendations:

Create a Safe Haven – Does your pet have a favorite toy, blanket or pillow? Create a safe haven of familiar objects for your pet throughout the hubbub of renovations, furniture movement and packing.

Maintain a Routine – While the household schedule may change to accommodate showings, make sure Fido maintains his regular diet and exercise schedule. Too busy to take your pet for a walk? Consider hiring a professional pet sitter for daily walks and play time.

Promote Your Home as Pet-Friendly – Is your home the ideal haven for a fellow pet parent? Highlight the specific pet-friendly features – such as a large yard or the perfect sunny window for cat naps – in your home’s description. This could be the quality that sets your home apart from the rest!

Hire a Pet Sitter During Showings – Pets are not able to run loose throughout the home during a showing, so many pet parents choose to hire a professional pet sitter to provide dedicated attention, play time and exercise during visits from potential buyers.

Relax – Tension can build throughout the process of selling a home, so take the time to relax with your pet! A ten-minute break to play fetch in the backyard or a short walk around the block will give you and your pet the opportunity to take a deep breath and enjoy each others company.

Hiring a Professional Pet Sitter

To assist pet parents in the process of finding a professional pet sitter while selling a home, NAPPS offers the following recommendations:

Develop a set of questions and conduct a thorough interview
Ask for multiple references
Request proof of bonding and liability insurance coverage
Make sure he/she interacts well with your pet

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