9 tips to be the best pet borrower on the block

A pet borrowers manual of excellence!

Congratulations on becoming a Share My Pet borrower! You have made the first step toward forming a new relationship with a pet and their owner. Your journey of companionship, friendship and trust begins here.

As a Pet borrower, you have a very important role to play. The pet in your care is ready to receive extra love and companionship. Their safety and happiness during their time with you is in your hands. Here are some golden rules and guidelines to help you be the best pet borrower you can be!

Pet borrowers need to be clear communicators

Initial communication with other members will be made via the Share My Pet messenger system. Use the messenger system to get to know each other and ask questions.  All your personal information is kept private at all times and is never visible to other members. Once you feel like you would like to meet in the “real world” arrange a date and time that suits you both.

Share My Pet advises all initial meetings to take place in a neutral, public area such as a café or dog-friendly park. Once you both decide that you’re a good match, you can exchange phone numbers and personal contact details. Try to be clear with each other about what you hope to get out of pet sharing. 

Be Honest

Always be honest and open about your level of experience in animal care. Pet owners will want to know your level of skill and experience before they feel comfortable and willing to let you care for their beloved pets. If you have little or no experience yet that’s O.K!

Be honest about it and demonstrate you are willing to learn all about your new fur buddy with the help of the owner. Great pet owners love to pass on information and knowledge about what keeps their pets safe and happy. As a pet borrower, you have a great opportunity to learn first hand how to care for your new part time buddy. 

As a pet borrower- always think safety first

Always put the pet’s safety, health and well being at the center of all you do. Consider if the pet in your care will be safe, comfortable, and enjoying the experiences you are offering them. Some situations such as loud noises, other animals, too many people/children can make pets feel anxious.

Share My Pet has an ONLEAD POLICY for all dogs being shared. Be sure to discuss with the owner their pet’s likes/dislikes and personal preferences. Each pet is unique!

Discuss what happens in an emergency

We highly advise you to have a conversation with the pet owner about what to do in the event of an emergency before any pet sharing occurs. Please ask the pet owner what they would like you to do in case of a medical emergency. Know which vet practice the pet in your care is registered to. In case of an emergency or accident, please act with the animal’s best interest at heart and act promptly. You are responsible for ensuring the pet receives prompt help and care. It is the pet owner’s responsibility to pay for any medical costs to their pet. Always carry the pet owners contact details with you and let them know what and where you are planning on going. Discuss what you would like to do in the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster.

If the pet under your care has pre-existing medical conditions and needs medication have a discussion with the owner about this. Pet owners will make sure they give you clear instructions on what their pet needs. 

We recommend to all our pet borrowers is to gain some skill and confidence in dealing with any emergency by doing a Pet First Aid course. Please see the link below: for more information. 

Pet First Aid 

BE PUNCTUAL

Everyone appreciates their time being valued so please be punctual for pet sharing dates. It’s important to be realistic about how frequently you are going to be available. Pet owners need to be able to trust you to be on time, stick to dates and arrangements made. If you have a change of plan, then please contact your pet parent as soon as possible to inform them.

Treats- Check in with pet owners first

A great and fast way to bond with your new companion will be with treats and rewards. Be sure to ask the pet owner whether their pet has any dietary restrictions, allergies, or is on a diet. Please be familiar with foods and plants that are dangerous and toxic for the pet in your care. For more information go to:

Poisonous foods for pets

Weather- keep conditions in mind when pet sharing

Be prepared for weather conditions to change. In the winter, make sure the pet in your care is kept warm, sheltered, and dry. In hot weather, always have shade and water available. Don’t exercise pets in the hottest part of the day. Never leave an animal in a car! Even for short periods when the weather is warm car temperatures can rise very quickly and be fatal. Please read more on summer safety tips’ at:

SPCA hot weather advice

Share My Pet Summer Safety Tips

Pet owners love to hear feedback

Pet borrowers are highly encouraged to give some feedback on how their time with a pet went. Passing on information about the pet’s behavior, any questions that may arise, funny little stories, or a cute picture or video of the animal having a great time with you is valued. It gives the pet owner a sense of happiness to see their pet out and about having fun and it’s always nice to hear how the pet sharing date went.

Feedback could include anything you noticed about the pet’s behavior while you were with them or anything you feel the owner should know about. For example, a scratch/cut, or their interactions with other animals. Quality feedback ensures that pets have a second pair of eyes looking out for them and their health.

 

SEND PHOTOS OR VIDEOS

What can I say? I love seeing my pets on Instagram or being sent a super cute photo of them enjoying a day out with their new friends. Great pet borrowers help share these moments with the pet parents and the wider pet sharing community. 

Share your adventures on your Instagram and be sure to tag us in #sharemypetnz so we can see the love too!

Use @sharemypet.co.nz for both Facebook or Instagram posts. 

 

If you enjoyed this blog and would like further reading on all things pets and animals please go to our website Share My Pet and check out our news section. We have many more blogs, a media page or lots of information about pet safety. Happy reading!