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The
weather is great; you're itchy to get out of
the office and you're already looking forward
to your next trip -- be it business or vacation.
How do you feel
about leaving your home unattended while you're
gone? If you're like most people,
the thought of it makes you uneasy -- especially
if you have pets.
House sitting and pet
sitting are both booming businesses these days,
and they could be the answer to your worries.
So read on to find out how to find a good sitter,
and check out our
tip for writing off some of your drycleaning
bills at the end of the newsletter.
See you
soon!
Ed and Mary Longanecker
Iris City Cleaners and Laundering Company
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Dressed
to the Nines COUPON!
This is the season
for party wear -- whether you're attending a
wedding (or participating in it), going to Prom
or having a special anniversary party, you're
bound to get spruced up. And if there are parties,
there is food... and that means spills. Have
$20 in regular drycleaning done, and we'll do
a party dress, formal or tux jacket for half
price. (Excludes wedding
gowns.) (Include first
page of this newsletter with your order. Offer
expires May 28, 2005. Cannot be combined with
other offers.) |
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Taking
Care of the Critters You Love
No matter how great
your vacation plans are, or what exciting business
trip you've got on tap, the thought of leaving
your home -- and your pets -- while you are
traveling can be worrying. Even if you've got
a "self sufficient" cat most days of the week,
she can become upset and even ill if left without
your presence too long. And as for Brutus, well,
your shoes are fair game when you're gone.
Americans are pet people.
It's estimated that there are 110 million cats
and dogs that are kept as pets in this country,
and that doesn't even factor in all the birds,
reptiles, rodents, and other animals we love
and care for at home. It's numbers like this
that caused the term "pet sitting" to burst
on the scene less than 10 years ago -- and it's
one of the fastest growing professions around.
Benefits of using a
pet sitter/house sitter:
- Having
someone come in regularly while you're away
gives your home a lived-in look.
The papers and mail get picked up, and lights
go on and off. Oh, and the plants don't languish
on the window sill, either.
- Your
pet stays in a familiar environment
with its normal routine and diet.
- No
stressful trips to the vet or boarding kennel,
and much less risk of your pet picking up
a disease.
- You
don't have to watch friends and family scatter
when you tell them you're going on a trip,
for fear you'll ask them to care for Fluffy
or Spot.
- You
have reliable help, professional care and
concern for your pet, and someone able to
take charge in an emergency.
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How
to Find Reliable Help
Now that you've decided
you need a house sitter or pet sitter, where
do you find one?(The difference between the
two is that a house sitter will be there overnight
each night. A pet sitter comes and goes once
or twice a day and monitors your pet's routine
and needs.)
Where
to find a pet sitter:
- Check
with your vet's office first.
He or she will know of reliable people, especially
because many pet sitters are or were vet employees.
This brings a bonus of better pet care knowledge.
- Ask
at a good pet shop in the area.
Often they will know of services because the
pet sitters may come to the store in the course
of caring for pets and need supplies.
- Ask
friends who have and love their pets.
Finding a lead through a referral like this
is great, since you'll get inside information
on how well the actual care is handled.
- Check
the internet. There are professional
pet sitting organizations that enable you
to put in your zip code or other information
and receive referrals in your area. Try these:
(NOTE:
These organizations do not police the pet
sitters who register with them. They make
it possible for you to contact sitters, but
it is your responsibility to check them out
to be sure they meet your needs and are reputable.)
It
is essential that you check references, even
of a home or pet sitter you are referred to
by a friend. After all, you
are handing this person a key to your home during
a time when you are away -- and the care and
attention of your pet, as well. So, give yourself
time to find a good sitter before you go away.
This is not something to do the evening you
are packing. |
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What
to Expect
A reputable house sitter
or pet sitter will want to meet you and your
pet in advance of when you go away. An interview
is a chance for you to get to know the sitter,
and the sitter to get to know your pet. Watch
the interaction between the two -- if it seems
strained, or if the dog or cat does not like
the sitter, keep shopping around.
When talking with the
sitter, have your questions prepared in advance.
Ask about such things as services offered, fees,
whether the sitter is bonded and has professional
liability insurance, how he or she got involved
in pet sitting and how long ago, what they will
require from you before you go, and a list of
references. Also ask what contingency plans
the sitter makes in case he or she can't get
to your home for some reason (illness, accident,
weather, etc.)
The sitter will have
his or her own list of questions for you, such
as what your pet's routine is like, where food
and treats are kept, whether there are any health
issues to be aware of (be honest here), where
the pet likes to hide, and who the vet is that
cares for your pet. Every pet has its preferences,
and a good sitter will seek to meet those wants
and needs. You may feel silly telling your pet
sitter that your dog loves to watch the Animal
Channel for an hour or so each day, but don't
worry -- they've heard it many times from other
pet owners! The sitter will also ask you
to inform your vet that a sitter will be taking
care of your pet(s) while you are away, and
leave instructions regarding emergency care
(usually including a credit card number and
authorization for the pet sitter to seek treatment
if necessary.)
You can find checklists
of things to do before you leave town, lists
of questions to ask potential sitters, and much
more on the websites listed above, and also
on these:
Knowing that someone
reputable and reliable is going to your home
each day, playing with your pet, feeding and
examining the pet for any problems, and keeping
up the general household things that you need
done while you're away can make your trip much
less stressful. |
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International
Fabricare Institute
Iris
City Cleaners
is a proud member of the International Fabricare
Institute, a premier association of Dry
Cleaners, Wet Cleaners, and Launderers dedicated
to the advancement of technologies and service
to the textile industry. |
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We
are enormously appreciative of the opportunity
to share our weekly newsletters with you.
We feel that much of the content is valuable
for anyone who purchases fine clothing and is
interested in their preservations and cleaning.
Click on the symbol to the right if your would
like to send this and future newsletters to
a friend.
Thanks a million, Ed and Mary
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