Pet Sitting Meet and Greet

AHB Pet & Home Care

Initial Consultation

Initial Consultation = Meet and Greet

Everything you need to know about

Meet and Greets 

AHB Pet & Home Care requires an initial consultation with every client before we begin pet sitting services.

There is no cost for the initial consultation and this meeting does not imply an obligation for us to work together.

This consultation is beneficial for both the clients and the sitters and we believe that is has much to do with providing our clients with the best possible service.

This brief article will provide you with an outline of what you can expect from our initial consultation, which we also call a “Meet and Greet”. Please let us know if you have any additional concerns.

AHB Sitters don't want you to be surprised. Let us answer your questions.

Why do we need a meet and greet?

Due to the nature of pet sitting, this meeting is often the only time that human clients ever see their pet sitters; so we take these meetings very seriously. This meeting gives clients the opportunity to see their pets interact with the new sitters and get to know more about the sitters themselves. This visit also helps all parties to see if AHB Pet & Home Care is the best service for the pet family.  

No matter how easy the pet care instructions are, we like to ask questions. During the visit our sitters will take notes of client instructions, the locations of supplies and other important details. We encourage all potential clients to make notes of questions they may have before the meet and greet. All sitters are capable to go into detail about pricing, policies and company procedures. 

Should a potential client decide to choose AHB Pet & Home Care, the meet and greet is the time when we will get a copy of the house key and possibly, the initial payment.  

When can I schedule a meet and greet?  

After you have an active Time to Pet account, you are ready to schedule the initial consultation. On Time to Pet, potential clients are able to review our policies.

When potential clients complete the online profile before our meeting, our team is able to review all of the basic information before we go to the home; this means that we can spend the majority of our time learning about specific pet care needs and instructions, not filling out paperwork.. This also allows our office to make a best match of sitters to clients.

Our team schedules initial consultations Sunday - Saturday, from 9am to 6pm. Once you have an active Time to Pet account, you can use the portal to schedule your consultation.

Who will come to my house?

AHB sends 2 pet sitters to each initial consultation. The primary benefits to this  method are:

• Client meet both their primary and secondary sitter in person
• Both primary and secondary sitters receive their instructions directly from pet parents

Before the initial consultation, potential clients will receive an “AHB Bio” for each of the sitters in their Time to Pet portal, so that they can know a bit about their new sitters. When the sitters arrive at the meet and greet, they are easy to recognize in their AHB attire.

How long is the meet and greet?

AHB Sitters value your time. Our average consultation is a 30-minute visit, but we will always follow the lead of the client; some clients need less time and some need a little extra.

Where can I get more information?

If you would like to know about us, please feel free to:

• Request current client references from our office
• Visit us our website at www.ahbsitters.com
• Follow us on Facebook @ahbsitters

We are happy to help you with your pet care needs.  We welcome any questions that you may have.

What is the next step?

Request a Time to Pet account and/or a meet and greet. You can do this by phone or online.

We recommend scheduling an initial consultation as early as possible so that you can begin benefitting from our pet sitting services right away. 

You can contact us by phone at (413) 310-3784 or by email at ahbsitters.office@gmail.com.

Contact us today!!! What are you waiting for?! 

Contact AHB Pet & Home Care today for a free consultation

What pet should I get? -

Choosing the right pet

Pet ownership can offer real satisfaction to an individual or a family. However, choosing the right pet makes a big difference as to how satisfied you may feel. We would like to help you choose a pet and have a smooth transition. So we have put together 5 important things to keep in mind when you are considering a pet.

These tips are appropriate for you whether you choose to buy or adopt your pet.            

In the United States, some popular pets are cats, dogs, rats, fish and birds. Each of these animals has the ability to bring joy to the right family. Please continue reading to help you decide if one of these might be right for your family.

5 things that you should do before making a commitment to any pet:

Dogs are loyal and loving

1. Take your time. Don’t make a pet an impulse purchase. No matter how cute the animal or how inspiring their story may be. Pet stores, shelters and rescues all have a built-in bias, so these places are probably not the best places to seek advice on the pet that may be best suited for you. The pet you choose will become a member of your family, so you should give this decision all the thought that you would to any major purchase.

2. 

   Rats are smart, friendly and clean

   2. Research your options. If you are considering a dog, keep in mind that each breed has its own personality, needs and abilities. Do your research and make sure that you know what qualities are a good fit for your family. You should also do some research on the organization that you are considering to work with; find out about their reputation and how much support and information will they provide you with before, during and after the process. Lastly, if you are only familiar with dogs and cats, it will be beneficial for you to compare different animals that offer similar benefits; for example, rats may suit your needs if you are interested in an alternative to a dog. Click here to find out more about choosing a pet rat.

3. 

   Gazing at fish has proven health benefits

   Match your lifestyle. Do you rent an apartment in a professional building or do you have a large, private fenced yard? Will your pet be home alone for long hours or are you seeking companionship? Are you a night owl or a morning bird? There are great pets to suit different schedules, lifestyles and environments. If  you are looking to reduce stress and lower anxiety, you might consider getting fish for your home.  

4. 

   Birds can be life long companions

   Assess your needs. While it is a wonderful thing to provide a home for an animal, you also need to think about your family’s personality and what you hope to get from this new addition. Will the pet fill the empty nest? Are you hoping to have a playmate for your child? Do you hope that your pet will be independent and low maintenance? The answer to each of these questions will help lead you toward the right pet for you. If you need an animal that does well in a small living space, you may look into birds. While birds need less interaction than furry friends, they are very social, highly intelligent and can easily be taught new tricks.     
5. Consider the costs. After the initial expense, having a pet will continue to cost you both time and money. Food, bedding and toys are a few of the recurring purchases that you may have. Depending on the type of pet you choose, you may also need to budget for the groomer, vet and a pet sitter. In considering the cost, you must also remember that some pets have lifespans equivalent to humans. 

These are the basics to keep in mind when you are trying to choose the right pet. For additional support and ideas for pet owners, Follow us on Facebook

Senior pets FAQ's

Senior pets are always in need of adoptive families

Why adopt a senior pet?

While November is "adopt a senior pet month", it is always a good idea to adopt a senior pet. Senior pets are least likely to be adopted from overcrowded shelters and unfortunately, senior pets are among the first to be euthanized if they aren’t adopted in a timely manner. By adopting a senior pet, you are quite possibly saving it's life.

Adopting a pet in need is a win-win situation and getting to know the local adoptees can be lots of fun. When visiting your local shelter, please don't overlook the senior pets because they have so much to offer and the love they give you will be so rewarding. Many older pets lose their homes for reasons having nothing to do with their behavior or temperament. Some of these reasons may include death of a guardian, a new baby, a move and various other lifestyle changes. These seniors are often grateful for their new family and make wonderful household pets.

While no one can deny that puppies and kittens are super cute and playful, many potential pet owners are not really ready to have their lives totally turned upside down as they wait for their fur babies to learn the rules and mature. In the Unites States, senior pets are the least likely to be adopted, yet they have the best manners and are the least destructive.

If you are considering adoption, a senior pet might be just right for you. Here we will answer 3 FAQ’s about senior pet adoption. Please Click Here if you want to read some of the benefits of adopting senior pets.

Save a life - adopt a senior pet

3 FAQ’s about adopting senior pets

1. Q: When is a pet senior?  

A: It varies, but cats and small dogs are generally considered seniors at the age of 7. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans and are considered seniors when they are approximately 6 years of age.

2. Q: Can I get a purebred senior pet?  

A: Yes. If you really love a certain breed of dog or cat, chances are there’s a breed rescue club that can point you in the direction of older purebred pets in need of homes.

3. Q: Will an older pet cost more in vet bills?

    A: Veterinary attention and medication are needed at all ages and may or may not be

more costly for an older pet. Before you adopt a senior, be sure you get a health report

from a veterinarian. That way, if you discover that the animal has a health problem, you can decide if you are able to make the needed financial commitment before making an emotional commitment.

We hope that you can open your heart and home to a senior pet. If you do, we would love to hear your story. Please share your story with us

For more tips on pet adoption and pet care, Follow Us on Facebook

Best pet care option: professional pet sitters

Who can care for the pets?

What is the best pet care option?

Common pet care options:

Friends and family

Kennel or vet’s office

Kid next door or hobby sitter

Professional pet sitter or service

At some point, nearly every pet parent is faced with the task of finding the best pet care option. The most common, comfortable choice is to have a family member or close friend care for your pet. However, there are times when the family/friend option may not be the best pet care choice.

 

One example of this may be when a medical condition makes it difficult or impossible to perform certain vital duties associated with caring for a pet, like cleaning the litter box or walking the dog. A friend or family member may be unable to come to your home every day, and visiting your pet more than once daily may cause a real hardship on your loved ones.

 

Many extended pet families plan their vacations in rotation, so that someone is always at home. For some, this is the only way they can imagine to avoid sending their pets to a kennel. For others, they are nervous about having the kid next door care for their babies and their home. 

Professional pet sitters help save parents time

Here are a few immediate benefits of hiring a professional pet sitting service:

• Teamwork - Professional pet sitting services function as a team and are able to work around client schedules, easily making multiple daily visits to homes.
• Peace of mind - Professional pet sitters reduce the stress and anxiety of pets and their people by caring for pets where they are most comfortable, in their own homes.
• Service with integrity - Professional pet sitters are not only animal lovers, they are trustworthy professionals qualified to look after both your pets and your home.

Regardless of the reason that you need to find pet care, finding someone to care for your precious pets can be a time consuming process and you may feel anxiety about leaving your pets and home in the care of someone else. We understand and we can help.

The top 3 reasons why you should choose AHB Pet & Home Care

#1. We will save you time and make your life so much easier - and what pet parent doesn’t need that? When our professional pet sitters enter into your life, you will probably begin to wonder how you ever managed without us. We can take care of all the things that make having a pet work (i.e. early morning walks, regular visits while you are away from home, yard waste cleanup, trips to and from the groomer and other things like this). Our services allow you to spend more time enjoying your pets.

#2. Your pets deserve professional care - they are an important part of the family, after all.

While there are often advantages to having a friend or family member care for your pets, the disadvantages can often cause real problems. By having a professional pet care service you can have peace of mind knowing that nothing will come before caring for your pet. We are a team and if anything ever comes up with your primary sitter, you can be sure that the secondary sitter is on their way to your home.

#3. We see things differently - your family is unique, and we want to fit your lifestyle. AHB does not take a “one size fits all” approach to pet care. We take our relationship with each human and animal client personally. When you initially contact us and during our initial consultation, we really listen so that we can provide the right care and learn the rules of your home. Our pet sitting software allows you to communicate easily with your pet sitter and get photo updates right to your phone so that you can be as involved in the visits as you would like.  

For more information about AHB Pet & Home Care and the services we offer, please visit us at www.AHBsitters.com , call (413) 310-3784 or Follow us on Facebook

Why adopt a senior pet?

Should I adopt a senior pet?

November is "adopt a senior pet month". If you are considering an animal adoption, please consider adopting a senior pet. When families visit shelters, they are often looking for young pets and unfortunately, senior pets are among the first to be euthanized if they aren’t adopted in a timely manner. By adopting a senior pet, you are not only providing it with a better life but are quite possibly saving it's life.

Adopting a pet in need is a win-win situation and getting to know the local adoptees can be lots of fun. When visiting your local shelter, please don't overlook the senior pets because they have so much to offer and the love they give you will be so rewarding.

While no one can deny that puppies and kittens are super cute and playful, many potential pet owners are not really ready to have their lives totally turned upside down as they wait for their fur babies to learn the rules and mature.

If you are considering adoption, a senior pet might be just right for you.

4 Great Reasons to Adopt a Senior Pet

1. Training - Many adult pets have spent years living with a family and being socialized to life with humans. They are likely to understand basic commands and adjust easily to the house rules.

2. Low energy - Older pets are relaxing to hang out with. Most older pets are well past the search-and-destroy phase. Senior pets tend to have a comforting, calm presence, they are not full of wild energy to burn and they are not terribly bored when at home alone.

3. Health History - A senior pet holds no surprises as to how big he might get, what color his adult coat will be, or whether his hips will be healthy. A senior pet comes to you with a much more predictable future than that of an 8-week old puppy or kitten.

4. Companionship - Many new owners form a close bond very quickly with their senior dog or cat, because the pet shows them a level of attention and devotion that is unique to older adopted animals. Due to their older age an slower pace, senior pets are often excellent companions for senior humans.

For more tips on pet adoption and pet care, visit us at www.facebook.com/ahbsitters