You are on vacation......so is your dog!!!!!!

DOG SITTING PROGRAM

Overview

Over the years, we have found that many of our members are often hard-pressed to go away for a weekend, a long weekend or a week's vacation for lack of appropriate care for their dogs. As an alternative to impersonal kennel boarding and expensive in-home pet sitting services, GRRSN is pleased to offer our Dog Sitting Service. 

The GRRSN Dog Sitting Service has been designed to provide short term (1 day to 2 weeks), personal care for your dog(s) in the home of one of our GRRSN members. This service is provided by GRRSN members to GRRSN members and all proceeds will benefit GRRSN.  Forms and instructions are located at the bottom of this page.

 Who Can Participate?

The GRRSN Dog Sitting Service is currently available to GRRSN members only. You must be a GRRSN member in order to serve as a Dog Sitter.

 Because GRRSN and many of our members have primary experience with dogs, the program is available for dogs only, though dogs can be of any breed. (Sorry to all of the much-loved cats, birds, hamsters and other creatures out there.) 

 How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of the GRRSN Dog Sitting Service is $25.00 per day for the first dog and $40.00 per day for two dogs. (For sitting of 3 or more dogs, please contact the Dog Sitting Coordinator for cost and availability.) All dog-sitting fees are considered to be a donation to GRRSN and payments are made directly to GRRSN. Fees are paid by the Dog Owner and are due to the Dog Sitter at the time when their dog(s) are picked up. Dog-sitting services are provided by GRRSN members on a voluntary basis and service is provided as a donation to GRRSN. (Rates have been established based on the prevailing rates of local boarding kennels and have been set far below the prevailing rates for most in-home pet sitters.)

 The cost includes care for your dog(s) in the home of one of our GRRSN Dog Sitters. The Dog Owner is responsible for providing all food, treats, medicines, crates, toys, beds, etc. The Dog Owner is also responsible for the cost of all medical expenses incurred in an emergency situation.

 How does the Process Work?

 When a Dog Sitting Request Form is submitted, the Dog Sitting Coordinator will search the Dog Sitter database to identify an appropriate Dog Sitter. Potential Dog Sitters will then be contacted to determine their availability.

 •  Availability

In order to ensure the availability of a compatible Dog Sitter, we request that you submit your Dog Sitting Request a minimum of 14 days (or earlier if possible) before your needed sitting dates. Unfortunately, there will be cases when a compatible Dog Sitter is not available during the needed sitting dates. Therefore, the GRRSN Dog Sitting Service is based upon the availability of a compatible Volunteer Dog Sitter.

 •  Proximity

As a Dog Owner, it will be your responsibility to drop off and pick up your dog(s) at the Dog Sitter’s house. You can note how far you are willing to travel on the Dog Sitting Request Form. In many cases, it may be worth it to drive an extra 15-30 minutes to ensure that your pets are staying in a personal, home environment with trusted caregivers. With volunteer Dog Sitters throughout the GRRSN area, the Dog Sitting Coordinator will make every effort to identify a compatible Dog Sitter within the closest proximity to your home.

 •  Compatibility

Please keep in mind that one of the main objectives of the GRRSN Dog Sitting Service is to ensure the compatibility of all of the dogs, pets and persons involved in the Dog Sitting interaction. If possible, we encourage the Dog Sitter and the Dog Owner to arrange an initial meeting between the two parties and their pets to determine the compatibility of all persons and pets involved. Neither the Dog Sitter nor the Dog Owner will be expected to enter into a dog sitting arrangement wherein any party is uncomfortable.

 When compatibility and availability have been confirmed, the Dog Sitting Coordinator will provide a cost estimate the Dog Owner.

 The Dog Owner will be then responsible for dropping off their dog(s) at the home of the designated Dog Sitter at the prearranged day and time. The Dog Owner will also be responsible for leaving sufficient food, treats, medicines, crates, toys, beds, etc. with the Dog Sitter at this time. During the duration of care, the Dog Sitter will be responsible for feeding, walking/exercising and dispensing medicines, etc. for the dog(s) in their care. At the end of the dog sitting period, the Dog Owner will be responsible for picking up their dog(s) at the home of the Dog Sitter at the prearranged day and time. All fees are due from the Dog Owner to the Dog Sitter at the time of pick up and payment should be made payable to GRRSN (not to the Dog Sitter personally). The Dog Sitting Coordinator will provide both the Dog Owner and the Dog Sitter with a copy of the bill prior to the start of Dog Sitting. All payments should be forwarded by the Dog Sitter to the GRRSN Treasurer within 5 working days of receipt.

 How do I get involved?

Volunteer Dog Sitters

If you have been unable to volunteer as a Foster Family for our rescued Golden Retrievers, volunteering as a Dog Sitter may be an alternative that will allow you to participate in GRRSN on a more convenient basis. If you would like to volunteer to be a GRRSN Dog Sitter, a Dog Sitter Application can be obtained from the Dog Sitting Coordinator via e-mail, fax or regular mail or completed below. Upon receipt of your Dog Sitter Application, your information will be recorded in our database for use in determining your compatibility with that of volunteers requesting dog sitting services. Please note that you are volunteering your time and care and that your efforts are considered to be a donation to GRRSN.

Dog Sitting Requests

Finally, you can get away for a weekend or a week with the peace of mind that your best friend is cared for by trusted caregivers in a personal, home environment. If you are interested in having your dog(s) cared for through the GRRSN Dog Sitting Service, appropriate paperwork can be obtained from the Dog Sitting Coordinator via e-mail, fax or regular mail. We request that you submit your Dog Sitting Request a minimum of 14 days (or earlier if possible) before your needed sitting dates.

We can also provide dog sitting in your home.  Complete Your Dog's Biorgraphy as well as the Dog Sitting Request Form.  Please contact the Dog Sitting Coordinator for further information. 

 Questions??

 If you should have questions or need further information regarding the GRRSN Dog Sitting Service, please contact the Dog Sitting Coordinator as listed below.

AVAILABLE FORMS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE AS A DOG SITTER OR ENROLL YOUR PET IN THE PROGRAM.

If you would like to become a Dog Sitting Volunteer for GRRSN please comple #3.  If you are in need of a Dog Sitter and this is your first time applying please complete #1 and #2.  Return customers only need to complete #1 each time they require a dog sitter.  #4 Is to be completed by the dog sitter and presented to the Dog Owner for payment to GRRSN.  Thank you for your participation in our program. 

 1. Dog Sitting Request Form

2. Your Dog's Biorgraphy - To Enroll Your Pet in the Program

3. Dog Sitter Application  

4. Dog Sitting Service - Cost Estimate/Invoice