Pet Sitter in West Palm Beach Recommends Booking Early for Upcoming Holidays

Four Paws of Palm Beach books up early for pet sitting jobs over the holidays. It’s not unusual for Barry & Becky to start Thanksgiving & Christmas morning at 4:30 – 5 AM and end at 9 – 10 PM. We take care of our Border Collie Tokyo, then we head out to begin our morning run. We eat our holiday meals in between caring for clients pets and homes. We make sure all the needs of the pets in our care are met. That includes walk, scoops, petting, combing and medications.

Pet sitters in West Palm Beach do fill up their care spaces quickly over the holidays. It’s not unusual to have 20 visits on a holiday day. We still manage to have a little time to celebrate our own holiday. Becky often cooks the day before and the microwave makes for a quick meal.

When booking a pet sitter or dog walker in West Palm Beach or Palm Beach be sure to ask for your complementary consultation. Be sure they are licensed, bonded & insured. Booking a pet sitter for the holidays early is the key. You can rest assured that Four Paws of Palm Beach will care for your pets as we would care for our own pet. We love what we do and we would love to work with you.

Happy Holiday from Four Paws of Palm Beach!

Pets and Halloween Safety Tips

 

 

  1. Keep all candy, especially chocolate(toxic), away from pets. Make sure used wrappers are discarded and your pet is not able to dig them out of the trash.
  2. Place decorations out of the reach of your pets. Accidental ingestion of decorative items could cause choking or result in the need for surgery.
  3. Designate a secure spot for your pets inside your home. Trick or treaters come and go all evening and your pets could slip out an open door.
  4. Exercise caution when walking your pets outside. Scan the ground for dropped pieces of candy that your pets could consume. Carry a small flashlight if it’s dark.
  5. Pet costumes should be roomy, reflective and fire retardant.

Halloween is a fun time for people and pets. Keep your pets safe. Be a Good Human. Happy Halloween.

HURRICANE SEASON IS LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY ARE YOU PREPARED?

Hurricane Guide

What are your plans in case a disaster should strike Palm Beach County? Four Paws of Palm Beach recommends that all their pet sitting clients have a disaster plan in place.  Having such a plan will reduce stress and panic when a disaster strikes.

Hurricane Season starts June 1st and ends November 30th.  Although hurricanes are Southeast Florida’s annual disaster concern, disasters can happen in many forms and at any time as we have learned in Boston, MA and West, TX.  Disasters can be man made or natural and can happen at any time.

For hurricanes, keep a current medical history for all your pets.  Place the record in a gallon Ziploc bag along with current photos, microchip information and an alternative contact person. The record should be kept with the pets crate or carrier.  Include a weeks supply of medications, food and water prior to June 1st.  Should you need to evacuate, make plans now for where you will go.  Please don’t leave any pets behind.  All counties in Florida have a shelter for pets.  Check which hotels will accept you and your pets.  Many veterinarian hospitals are approved to shelter pets in a hurricane.  Many have permanent generators.

Four Paws of Palm Beach is ready to assist their clients in West Palm Beach.  Should Palm Beach close the bridges and restrict re-entry to residents only, we would offer to move our pet sitting clients pets to the mainland prior to bridge closings. Several of our Palm Beach clients have arrangements with a neighbor in case the access to Palm Beach is restricted.  Again, they have made a plan for what if!

Four Paws of Palm Beach, the premier pet sitting service in West Palm Beach, is prepared for disasters, are you?  Take time today to write down your disaster plan. You have to write it down to “Be prepared.”  Disasters can strike anytime and anywhere.  Your success is in you planning.

To view a list of pet friendly hurricane shelters click here.

Recommended Reading: American Red Cross Pet Safety  view more.

Dog Walker – West Palm Beach Pet Sitter

One of Our Many Happy Clients - "Sadie"

When the dog walker needs a pet sitter in West Palm Beach?

Dog walkers and pet sitters are on call for pet care 365 days a year.  Our passion is taking care of pets and clients homes in West Palm Beach.  So what does a pet sitter/dog walker do when they go on vacation or have an emergency?  Dog walker/pet sitters do need a vacation.  Who would they trust to care for their own pets?

Four Paws of Palm Beach in West Palm Beach is a family owned and operated pet sitting business.  We have contracted with a few veterinary technicians in the West Palm Beach area to be our back up for such occasions. This allows us, the owners of Four Paws of Palm Beach, to have “Peace of Mind.”  Just like our clients pets receive “best” care, we want that same “best” care for our own pets.

Several pet sitters in West Palm Beach have Four Paws of Palm Beach set up as emergency back up for their businesses.  By working together, everyone wins.

Four Paws of Palm Beach – dog walker/pet sitter in West Palm Beach.

Why Hire a Professional Pet Sitter?

Obie in Northwood

Advantages for your pet:

1)  Reduced Stress.  Your pet(s) stays in its own familiar secure environment where all the sights, smells and sounds say “Home!”
2)  Diet and Exercise.  Customary diet and exercise routines are followed, with no interruption to upset your pet(s).
3)  No “Travel Trauma.”  Travel in a vehicle to a relative’s home, boarding facility or kennel may upset your pet(s). Plus, you save time and gas by just locking your door knowing the pet sitter will be there to care for your pet(s).
4)  Health Concerns.  With a pet sitter, there is minimal exposure to illness of other animals. This will save you money at the veterinarian upon your return.
5)  Hospice Care.  Trained professional pet sitters can administer medications recommended by your veterinarian. Pet(s) are more comfortable receiving palliative care at “Home.”
6)  TLC.  Most importantly, your pet(s) receives love and personal attention while you are away.

Advantages for You:

1)  Travel. You won’t be inconvenienced or upset by transporting your pet(s). Plus, you can just leave for the airport, train or cruise ship knowing your pet sitter will be there to care for your pet(s). Also, when you arrive on an evening flight, your pet(s) will be home waiting for your return. Boarding and doggy day cares are often closed evenings, Sunday’s and holidays.
2)  No Imposition.  You don’t have to impose on a friend, neighbor or relative to care for your pet. Instead, you can rely on a pet care professional who will put your pet’s needs first.
3)  Licensed, Bonded & Insured.  States, counties and cities license pet sitters. Pet sitters should also have in force insurance and bonding. This protects you, your pet(s) and your home while in the care of a professional pet sitter.
4)  Security.  Your home is made more secure by the crime deterrent services provided by most pet sitting services.
5)  Peace of Mind.  While you’re away, you can feel confident your pet is in capable, caring hands. With today’s communication technology, pet sitters can email or text you each visit, enhancing that peace of mind.
6)  Special Services.  Pet sitters can provide additional home services while caring for your pet, such as watering plants and bringing in the mail.

 

Four Paws of Palm Beach

Editor in Chief

In 2001, we rescued Rudy, who had been abandoned at an apartment building.  She was pregnant, so we opted to have the kittens.  The only surviving kitten was Four Paws, a sweet grey domestic short hair with 4 white paws.  Four Paws loves to lay across you, get under the covers or in general be very close to people when they decide to lay down.  The perfect therapy cat.

He plays hide and seek with our Border Collie, Tokyo, and his feline brother, Doc Holliday.   He’s always running back and forth in the house thinking everyone is playing along with him.  He can also open cupboard or closet doors, finding really cool hiding spots.

Hence, Four Paws became the inspiration for naming our pet sitting business, Four Paws of Palm Beach.  Since Four Paws is the office cat, a character in his own rights and our love of Dilbert made choosing “Four Paws at The Water Cooler” as the name for this blog.  After all Dilbert has the dog character and Four Paws deserved his cat day as speaker at the water cooler.

Fourth of July and Pets

The Fourth of July is a celebration of our freedom and independence as a nation. The United States is the best place to live in the world. Many celebrate with BBQ’s, fireworks and family get together.  Pets are pets, and because we are busy with our celebrations, we need to ensure the safety of our pets.

Make sure your pets are secured especially if you have guests that will be opening and closing doors a lot.  Pets can easily escape.  They should be microchipped in case they get lost.  Microchips also need to be registered.  That’s how pets are traced back to the owner of record.

Fireworks can be very scary and dangerous.  We use the “Thunder Shirt” to keep him calm for the loud booms.  They are available thru your veterinarian, online or at pet stores.  Other options can be discussed with your veterinarian.  We used to use a tranquilizer, but prefer the “Thunder Shirt”.  Thunder shirts swaddle the dog and decreases the static electricity of their hair.

BBQ’s are always lots of great food, but pets love to eat all that food as well.  Preventing your pets from eating the Fourth of July BBQ food can save you money and time at your veterinarian office.  Just feed them their regular diet.  Maybe a few extra dog treats.  Four Paws wants his “kitty” treats.