Southwest Pet Sitting LLC

Web Changes

This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first. 

Southwest Pet Sitting LLC Establishes Internet Presence

See the press release for more details.

Southwest Pet Sitting LLC becomes an Arizona corporation in 2005.

Press Releases

These are the press releases we've issued over the first year. 

• August 19, 2005 -- Professional Pet Sitters
• March 24, 2005 -- Why a Pet Sitter?
• March 24, 2005 -- Benefits of Using a Pet Sitter
• November 12, 2006 -- Don't be Scammed, Use a REAL Pet Sitter

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

TIPS FOR PREVENTING HOME BREAK-INS AND THEFTS:

1.  Examine the exterior of your home, pretending you are a burglar.  Look for any parts of your property that offer intruders ways to hide on the property or easy access to the property and home.  Keep any side or back gates locked securely. 

Make sure your property is well lit.  Use motion sensor lighting, area lighting, and/or dusk to dawn lighting to help illuminate dark areas, even around the garage or storage buildings, barn, or tack and feed rooms.  Trim any overgrown bushes or trees to eliminate areas where an intruder could hide.

2.  Make your home look lived in, even when you are not there.  Using a pet sitter helps make your home look lived in by picking up the mail and newspapers, taking care of the pets, pool, and plants, changing lighting around, turning on/off the TV or radio, moving the curtains, bringing in the trash can after trash pick-up, and many other things to make the home look like you are still there. 

Make sure there are some type of curtains on all windows that are not opaque so that a burglar cannot scope out your home when you are not home by looking in the window to see what is a nice item to break in and steal. 

3.  Keep your doors and windows locked, even when you are home.  Use a dead bolt lock on exterior doors so they are harder to break in.  Use a rod of some type, like a broom handle, wood dowel, or piece of pvc pipe, in the sliding glass door track to keep that door from being easily opened.  Also install a screw over the top of the sliding glass door so it cannot be easily lifted out and removed to allow entry for a burglar.  The burglar could break a window or the glass door, but it makes much more noise.  Even second story windows can be accessed so keep those locked also.  Your pet sitter will check all the doors, windows, and other buildings while she is there to make sure nothing was broken into or changed in any way.  Calling the Police is not a problem for your pet sitter while you are away.

4.  Some persons also install security systems of various types around their home and property.  Your pet sitter will keep it armed while you are away.  Please let your pet sitter know the number or contact information for the security company if it is needed.

5.  Install fencing around your property or at least around the back part of the property.  Fencing helps deter burglars and helps keep out unwanted wildlife or other people's livestock.

6.  Keep the phone numbers for the fire dept., police or sheriff, poison control, your doctor, the veterinarian, and relatives, friends and neighbors all close to the main phone in case of emergency. 

7.  Post a sign outside your home like a sticker on a front window to let emergency personnel know if there are pets in your home, what they are, and how many.

8.  Lock up all important papers, jewelry, computer hard drives or laptops, items with credit card information or social security numbers, insurance cards, passports, etc. when you are not home.  Use a fire proof safe or a locking file cabinet or even a locking closet to make harder access for a burglar to these items. 

Make a list of all credit cards and numbers and their contact numbers in case of theft and put that into your safe or locked area also.  This is even if you have those cards with you, in case you need to report them stolen.

Next make a listing of all vehicles like cars, trailers, RVs, campers, boats, etc. that you have on your property, their make, model, year, VIN number or serial number, tag numbers, etc. so they can be identified if they become missing or stolen.  Let your pet sitter know what vehicles, etc. are around so she can report the item to the police if it comes up missing.

9.  Keep a listing of collectibles you have in your home in a safe place.  This could include artwork, jewelry, guns, ammunition, collectible items like a Betty Boop set, etc.  Some persons even video tape or take photos of all of their rooms in their home in case of fire or theft to be able to remember everything that was there and to be able to prove to the police or insurance adjuster that they really had the items they are claiming are missing or destroyed, the condition of the items on the date of the photos or tape, and their general location.  The listing should include a description of the item, age, markings, serial numbers, etc.

10.  Also take pictures of all of your livestock, especially horses and cattle.  Due to their high value, they are still being stolen in some areas and if you have photos you can show the police, livestock inspector, etc. you can more easily identify them and hopefully recover them.  Since the Livestock Board in Arizona has ceased requiring hauling cards, many horse persons no longer have anything in their possession to even show the markings of their horse.  Some persons have begun tattooing, branding, or inserting micro chips to help trace their animals more easily.

11.  Tack rooms and storage sheds are also being broken into and it gets worse around the holiday season.  Make a listing of all your items in the tack room, especially your saddles, bridles, bits, etc. and put it in your safe place.  The same for your storage sheds.  Some persons even etch or otherwise mark their items so they can be more easily traced.  Any windows on sheds or tack rooms should have bars on them and keep the tack room or storage shed locked at all times.

12.  Make back-ups of all information on your computer(s) in case it is stolen or destroyed and put it in your safe place.  Nothing is worse than having to "recreate the wheel" if your computer is stolen and you lose all your files.  Do this regularly also so you have the most current information possible.  A good rule of thumb is to regularly do back-ups on your computer at least every quarter to keep the back-up copy most current.  Do this especially right before you leave your home for your trip.

13.  During the holiday season, a twinkling Christmas tree looks nice in your front window but it draws burglars to look inside and see how many presents are around the tree, and what other little goodies are around that he might like to come back and steal.  Keep at least the sheers closed in front of that window so the lights are twinkling through the window sheers but the burglar cannot easily see inside. 

14.  If you have windows on either side of your front door, are they positioned such that they could be broken and your door opened?  Can a burglar look inside and see what nice items you have laying around he might want to steal?  Those windows look nice but you might want to consider sheers, louvers, or curtains on them or unbreakable glass.

15.  Let your pet sitter know if an item is going to possibly be borrowed, if a repair person or landscape or pool person is supposed to come by, or if a relative or friend is going to come by.  Your pet sitter is watching your pets and property and if anything changes or comes up missing, it helps to know if these persons are supposed to be around or can borrow anything. If the friend or relative is going to have a party in your house while you are away, is this OK?  Let the pet sitter know this also.

*******

These tips have been learned over the years as we have pet sit homes and also through experience and education.  We hope these tips will help you make your home and property safer and more secure.  Please ask your pet sitter for any hints or ideas on any of these areas or for information on websites or professionals to confer with on these topics.

CHECKLIST FOR WHEN YOU LEAVE ON YOUR TRIP:

These items are a simple but extensive checklist for when you leave on your trip.  We hope this list helps you to have a safe, enjoyable trip:

1.  Packing is an extensive chore.  Here's a list of items to take:

• Formal wear, including purse, stole or wrap, earrings, necklace, hose, shoes.  Men need their suit or tux, shoes, vest, cumburbund, tie, cuff links, tie clip.  Shoe shine kit or buff.  Watch on men/women.
• Toiletry kit, including deodorant, powder, perfume/cologne, shaving items, contact lens items, band aids and ointment, Q tips, cotton balls, facial cleansers, shampoo/rinse, small scissors, sewing kit, mouthwash, toothpaste and brush, tooth repair kit, polident and/or poligrip, makeup items, tweezers, hair bands/ties/clips, brush/comb, carrying case for all this stuff!
• Glasses and cleaning items.
• Clothes adults for warm and cool weather, at least a windbreaker if you are not sure if its going to be cold.
  Underwear/bras - white and black bras at least, men need neutral colors.  White underwear for wearing under white pants.
  Nightwear like nightgown or pajamas
  Belts
  Jewelry, good stuff and costume
  Socks and/or knee hi's and stockings
  Pants - jeans and at least one pair dress pants, ladies - slacks/jeans
  Shirts - long and short sleeved
  Shorts - at least one pair (it will be 80F if you don't take one pair!)
  Jacket or sweater
  Shoes - nice pair, sandals, and tennis shoes
  Dresses/skirts
  Sweat clothes for work outs or hanging out.
• Children need their clothes, formal if needed, and also need toys, games and a plan for their care and entertainment for while you are traveling.  Cruise ships and some time shares will have activities for certain times during the day for children.  You will also need their passports and will need to make sure they are up to date on vaccinations.
• Swim suits, towels if you are not sure the place has extra towels, sun screen, hats, lip balm, ear plugs.
• Hats, gloves, ear muffs for cooler locations.
• Language book for that country's language.
• Travel guide for that country/location.
• Map or atlas if you are going to be driving.
• A book or puzzle book or magazine.  Cards, small games if you get stranded during a hurricane.
• Medications and also tylenol, antacids, stuff for just in case.
• For time shares, take Febreeze for the smoke odors in the room if you are not a smoker, and take room freshener for at least the bathroom.  Put in large zip lock bag so it can't leak on your clothes in luggage.
• Directions to the location, cruise terminal, airport, timeshare, etc.
• Airline reservations printout for each person
• Complete copy of all itinerary and airline/hotel/motel/car reservations/time share reservations.  Copy of Cruise packet. 
• Put tags on all luggage.  Is luggage in good shape or should you put a strap on them?  Do not lock your luggage.
• Passports and driver's license.
• Credit card - at least one.  Cruises require one for all charges during the cruise, you have to take the card you plan to use with you so they can confirm it.  And take one for just in case.
• Health insurance card.  Check with insurance to see if you are covered outside the country.
• Car insurance card for rental if your policy will apply to a rental or you have to buy their insurance.
• Tip money, lots of "ones" for tips for cabbies, luggage handlers/bell boys, taxis, etc.  Check out what is the normal tip percentage in that country or location before you go.  Some countries do not give tips like the US at 15%. 
• How to get you to the hotel or ship if you are not staying anywhere and going directly to the location or ship?  Taxi?  Super Shuttle?

2.  More stuff to help you get ready:

• Any required vaccinations?  When is the last time you had a tetanus shot?
• Hair cut or trim/color?  Nails?  Pedicure?
• Money and/or traveler's checks.  Do you need any foreign currency?  Phoenix airport has a currency exchange in Terminal 4 for when you return but the exchange is usually better in the foreign country for when you first arrive there.
• Call and confirm airline reservations the night before.
• Call the pet sitter and confirm all dates and times.  Let her know if anything has changed since you last saw her.  Did you give her a key?

3.  Shopping list for a Time Share when you get there:

• Clothes washing liquid/dryer sheets
• Dish washing liquid
• Febreeze
• Does the time share have toilet tissue/paper towels?
• Breakfast stuff
• Salt/pepper (carry this anyway if you time share a lot)
• Coffee stuff (can carry coffee with you if you time share a lot but buy your creamer/sugar there)
• Sodas
• Snacks
• PIzza
• Oil and/or pam spray
• Butter or margarine?
• Sandwich stuff
• Liquors/beers/wines - wine cork and bottle opener should always be carried to time shares
• Any entertaining stuff needed?
• Salad stuff?
• Fruit
• Meal stuff for one night
• If you want to grill out at least one night you will need charcoal and if not self-lighting charcoal, get charcoal fluid.  Matches.
• For fireplace, need matches if not a gas fireplace and if the resort doesn't provide them.
• Cigarette or cigar stuff, matches.

4.  Pre-purchase event tickets if you can before you arrive to avoid standing in lines and the "rush" to get tickets.

5.  How will you get home when you return?  Super shuttle or parking place like PCA parking?  Do they have a shuttle to their parking lot?  Did you park at the airport?  Cab?  Family member or friend?

6.  Call pet sitter when you return!

*****

This listing is by your pet sitters as experienced travelers.  We hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip!  Let us know if you think of any thing we should add to our listings above.

Send mail to cking01@gmail.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2005 Southwest Pet Sitting LLC
Last modified: 11/13/06