Bird, Bird, Bird…Bird is the Word!

Hey, we are known as a premier dog walker and pet sitting service, but a lot of you in the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland have exotic birds.  They are every bit as beloved as four-legged creatures and usually darned valuable.  When you are about to embark on a trip away from home for days you need to feel confident that all is well with your feathered friends.

What are some ways to establish a good bird sitter?  You could –

1.  Ask an avian veterinarian.

2.  Inquire around at area bird clubs.

3.  Hire a relative or friend.

That last choice could be a regretful one.  The best choice may be us.  We are Critter Sitters of Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland.  When we say critters, we take tender loving care of all creatures great and small.  If you want to come home to a healthy, happy macaw or other birdie please call us for an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

A Pet Sitter Must Love My Pet Like Her Own.

It is just simply mandatory.  What would you do for your beloved four-legged child to protect it from harm?  Whatever that entails you must expect nothing less than that from the people you entrust to watch over them while you are on vacation or at work.  You look for compassion and longevity in the pet sitting business.

For more than 25 years Sandy Hafenbrack has devoted her life to caring for the lives of your pets in the Fox Valley.  Now, she has employed an amazing team of people who are dedicated to the same thing.  They will not only treat your “kids” with compassion, but also check around your home while you are away for any security issues.

That is a combination that is hard to beat.  Add to it, their medical training to help treat animals in need of daily shots, pills, etc. and you simply cannot do any better in Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland.  Please call Sandy for a complimentary in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

Dogs are Not Bears.

Well no duh!  Your four-legged canine best friend is not going into hibernation for the next several months.  They need fresh air and exercise now more than ever as the seasons change and the snow begins to fly.  They need potty breaks, walks, and exercise in the winter instead of being confined in your home all day.

Do you want to go out in the Suburban Chicago winter weather to walk your dog every day?  For many of us it is just not practical to do so.  You should be looking into hiring a professional dog walking service.  Hire someone who is hearty and more than willing to walk your pooch on some of our winter days.

The answer to your dilemma is found at Critter Sitters.  Visit the website www.alltopcrittersitters.com and see the gallery of beautiful creatures that Sandy Hafenbrack and her loving staff take care of year around.  They serve the entire Sugar Grove and Elburn area with special dog walking services.  Call for an in-home visit today at (630) 844-9554. 

What’s Julia Cooking Up?

A love for all creatures great and small…that’s what!  Julia lives in Sugar Grove, IL with her sons, her husband, and naturally her four-legged child Olivia who is the family dog.  Julia grew up in rural Indiana and her life has been surrounded by many of God’s beautiful animals.  She would be lost without the love of pets in her life.

Julia is one of the pet-sitting professionals who works with Sandy Hafenbrack, the owner of Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service.  It doesn’t get any better than having a loving, caring mom sit with your 4-legged kids and care for them while you are at work or perhaps gone for a short period of time on vacation, etc.

Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service has been around for many years now, serving the needs of Sugar Grove, Elburn and the growing area that IS the far west suburbs of Chicago.  Many people think that they can leave their pets all day while they drive toward the city to go to work.  Why not strongly consider the alternative and call Sandy at (630) 844-9554. 

Elizabeth…The Queen of Pet Sitters.

Liz, as she is known, is one of the amazing pet care professionals employed by Sandy Hafenbrack of Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service.  If you hear her mention the names Izzy and Bailey Jane she is just talking about her kids.  They are two marvelous felines who share her home and her life.

When it comes to pedigrees Liz has quite an impressive one herself.  At one time, she managed the Chicago Marathon for PAWS.  If you have not heard of it we are referring to Chicago’s largest no kill animal shelter!  She has spent her life loving all creatures great and small.  She will share her love of animals anytime you ask.

Liz is one of the truly caring pet sitters whom Sandy trusts implicitly to treat your beloved four-legged child with the same care and attention you do.  When you go to work each day or perhaps on vacation turn to Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service attending to pets throughout Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the surrounding area.  Just call Sandy anytime at (630) 844-9554.

The Human side of Pet Sitting.

Our beloved four-legged child does not take care of him or herself.  The human touch is what makes having a pet the fulfilling part of life that it experiences.  When you can’t be there to love on and exercise your best friend you need someone who cares as much as you do about their well-being.

Meet Beth…she has been an integral part of Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service since the beginning of 2017.  She has been caring for creatures great and small for more than four decades.  She knows that your pet IS one of your children.  And it only begins with dogs.  She is also experienced with cats, rabbits, birds, fish, lizards and all small rodents.

When you need someone to look in on and exercise your four-legged family member (especially daily) call Sandy at Critter Sitters.  She will arrange for Beth or another of her experienced staff to come out and meet with you.  Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service serves Sugar Grove, Elburn, and the surrounding area with the best pet sitting on earth.  Call today at (630) 844-9554.

Consider Adopting a Pet in 2016.

We hope that it has been a great year in your home.  Now that we are ready to turn the calendar is your family ready to welcome a new member into the household?  Think of the joy that a new pet would bring to your daily life.  A four-legged friend to come home to every day brings joy to your daily life and reduces stress. 

There are many considerations of course.  How much time do you spend at home?  Do you have time to train a pet?  What is the structure of your family, including children, etc.?  Do you have a backyard or an area to walk your dog if that is the pet you are considering?  How large of a pet can your home handle at this particular time?

If you decide to open your heart to a new addition and you live in the Aurora, IL, or surrounding area remember the name of Sandy Hafenbrack.  Sandy is the owner of Critter Sitters.  She will be your “other best friend” in the New Year as she will help you with all of your pet sitting service needs in 2016.  When you make that important decision to extend your family, call Sandy at (630) 844-9554.

Getting a Pet for Christmas.

What a wonderful gift.  You got a puppy for Christmas.  Isn’t that fantastic!?  Well…maybe it is and maybe not so much.  Do you work outside of the home?  Are there kids who will be back in school after the holidays?  What is your living situation?  Do you have a fenced in yard or do you live on a higher floor of an apartment?  There is much to be considered now that you have a new addition to the household.

There is no question that a puppy can add a great deal to a family.  The evenings and the weekends will be brightened by its very presence.  Please plan ahead.  If you are the gift giver then consider the training that will need to go into the process before you shock your children on Christmas morning with this life-changing gift.

Call Sandy Hafenbrack at Critter Sitters serving the Aurora and surrounding area.  Not only will she give you important tips on how to train and care for your new arrival, but she will play an important role in your 4-legged family addition’s life as the years go by.  Call Sandy right away at (630) 844-9554.  And…oh yeah…don’t wrap up your gift.  LOL!

How Important is Pet Insurance?

It seems hard to imagine that we as pet owners consider our four-legged friends to be valued members of our family and yet only 1% of us carry health insurance on our loved ones.  There are barely one million pets in this country that are covered by insurance out of 170 million!  We all admit that their lives are precious to us and yet we may lose them before their time has come simply because we cannot afford decent veterinary care.

Exercise your due diligence and research pet insurance on the internet.  You will find many different providers to fit your specific family needs.  Of course, you will factor in the ages of your pets and their overall health.  If you have a new addition to the family consider how long you want them to have a long and healthy life and factor in that value into the equation.

Critter Sitters serving Aurora IL and all of the Fox Valley wants you to know all of the options.  If we treat our pets like 4-legged children it might merit strong consideration.  Whenever you need short or long-term pet sitting in the Fox Valley please call Sandy at (630) 844-9554 or visit her website to read more about her services at www.alltopcrittersitters.com.

Pets with Special Needs

Pet sitting is not a job as much as it is a calling.  When you take on the responsibility of baby-sitting someone’s four-legged child you are the person most responsible for its health and safety while the owner is away.  Sometimes that means a great deal more than feeding, watering, and playing.  The right pet sitter is qualified to do much more.

Sandy Hafenbrack of Critter Sitters in Montgomery, IL serves the Fox Valley everyday and is equipped to help your pet if it has special needs.  Maybe age, illness, or disease has slowed them down a bit, but you can’t quit your job to care for them full time.  Sandy is experienced in administering insulin shots, subcutaneous fluids, and other medications to your sick and aging beloved member of the family.

You see, being a caring, loving sitter of your pet really is a calling.  If you have a pet that has special needs and you live in the Fox Valley area, please call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554.  Additionally, if you have that same calling that Sandy does and you live in the Aurora/Yorkville area give her a call to see if you might be just the right fit to join her caring team.

Did Your Dog or Cat Eat Something Poisonous?

You may be surprised what is completely harmless for humans to eat may be lethal if it is ingested by your 4-legged child.  Things like apple seeds, avocados, candy (especially chocolate), coffee, and even garlic as well as certain types of nuts may be hazardous to your pet’s health.  If you even suspect that your dog or cat has raided the pantry or wolfed down a quantity of potentially dangerous food you need to take action quickly.

Fortunately there is a 24 hour pet poison hotline that is always available to you.  The sooner a pet poisoning is diagnosed the easier and less expensive it is to treat your pet.  The hotline is toll free every minute of the day wherever you are in the United States by calling (855) 764-7661.  They have the ability to help every poisoned pet 24 hours a day. Their knowledge and expertise of pet poisons will put your mind at ease when dealing with a potential emergency.

Sandy of Critter Sitters Pet Sitting Service, LLC - serving the Aurora area in suburban Chicago wants your precious family members to stay safe.  When you need the finest vacation care or dog walking services Sandy is a phone call away.  She will treat your pets as if they were her own.  Call her today to discover her wide-range of services at (630) 844-9554 or visit her website at www.alltopcrittersitters.com.

Speaking of Cats.

Let’s talk about cat sitting.  When you think of cats you often think…well they’re so independent you just put out the food, the water and the clean litter box - and you may leave them alone for days which you would never consider doing with a dog.  It seems that way sometimes when your cat ignores you doesn’t it?

The truth is, studies show that cats are much more comfortable in their own familiar surroundings.  When you go on vacation DO NOT leave your cat at home unattended.  Critter Sitters, serving the Fox Valley in Western Suburban Chicagoland, will visit your home and care for all of cats’ needs such as feeding, watering, and cleaning the litter box.  We will NEVER let your cats out of the house.

The next time you travel for a couple of days or a couple of weeks - call Sandy at Critter Sitters to arrange for pet sitting services.  Her phone number is (630) 844-9554.  Or visit her online for a full list of services at www.alltopcrittersitters.com.

Home Daycare for Dogs

Doggy daycare can be a huge help in meeting your dog’s needs for attention now that the kids are back in school.  So many of us have high energy 4-legged kids that are bored and lonely when we are away from home all day.  Since their concept of time is different it may seem like you have been gone for days instead of hours.

You have probably heard of or even passed by businesses that provide all day care for your pooches.  Not only can that be very expensive, but now you have taken them out of the environment in which they feel safe and secure.  Maybe they are receiving attention, but not the warm friendliness of a familiar face visiting their domain.

Here is the solution!  Critter Sitters serves the Fox Valley in Chicagoland.  Sandy will come to your home in THEIR comfortable environment and take care of their needs such as food, water, recreation and just plain lovin’.  They will come to eagerly anticipate her arrival each day as they do with you.  Call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554 or visit her on the web at www.alltopcrittersitters.com.

Is Pet Insurance Right for You?

With vet bills on the rise, this is a question that dog owners ask themselves at some point. Choosing whether or not to buy pet insurance can be challenging. There are many factors to consider, including which provider and plan is most appropriate for you and your pet.  Opinions on pet insurance may range from “pet insurance saved my 4-legged child’s life” to “pet insurance is just a scam”.

Pet Health Insurance Pros

• Provides your pet with affordable care should they become seriously ill.

• Depending on your plan, costly emergency procedures are usually covered.

• Once fatal pet diseases are now treatable, yet can be expensive. Pet insurance makes them

affordable.

• Provides peace of mind for dog owners that want their pet to get the best treatment.

• Most offer discounts when insuring one of more pets, or for purchasing a six month or yearly plan.

Pet Health Insurance Cons

• Most have deductibles, co-pays and caps that may limit your pay out.

• With some plans, pre-existing conditions may not covered.

• Many breed specific conditions (hip dysplasia in retrievers for example) may not be covered.

• Money spent on premium payments is gone

Whatever is best for you and your loved ones please remember this.  When you need the best pet sitting services in Western Suburban Chicago trust Critter Sitters.  They serve the Fox Valley and beyond.  Get to know Sandy by giving her a call at (630) 844-9554.

Protect Your Pet from Heatstroke This Summer.

We have all heard it over and over…never, never, never leave a pet in a hot car.  Sometimes people think, 'Oh well, it just rained I will crack the window' or 'It isn’t THAT hot out there. I could sit in the car if I had to'.  Every year dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car - even for “just a minute” while they run an errand.  Do you want to have that on your conscience for the rest of your life?

Parked cars are deathtraps for dogs.  On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes.  Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes.  The heat is extra tough on dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paw pads.

Critter Sitters, serving the Fox Valley and the far western suburbs of Chicagoland, does not want anything to happen to your 4-legged child this summer.  While Chicago summers can have days of moderation, even temperatures in the mid-70’s could prove fatal for your dog if left in a parked car.  When you need the best pet care available in Chicagoland any time of the year call Critter Sitters at (630) 844-9554 or visit them on the web at www.alltopcrittersitters.com.

How to Hire a Pet Sitter.

After your own flesh and blood what is the next most precious thing in your life.  Most likely it is your 4-legged children.  Your pets are as important to your daily well-being as you are to theirs.  So when you must be away from home for any length of time you should hire a licensed qualified pet sitter.  A loving, caring pet sitter cares about your pets almost as much as you do.  They do much more than just feed and water your kids while you are away.

Your Pet Gets:

-The environment they know best.

-Their regular diet and routine. 

-Relief from traveling to and staying in an unfamiliar place with other animals (such as a boarding kennel). 

-Attention while you're away.

You Get:

-Happier friends and neighbors, who aren't burdened with caring for your pet.

-The peace of mind that comes from knowing that your pet is being cared for by a professional.

-Someone to bring in your newspaper and mail so potential burglars don't know you're away. 

-Someone who will come to your home so you don't have to drive your pet to a boarding kennel.

Your best bet for a great pet sitter in the far western suburbs of Chicagoland is Critter Sitters of Montgomery.  Sandy has 25 years of excellent service for the residents of Fox Valley.  She will take the very best care of your best friends while you are away.  Now that summer is here it is time to plan your vacation trips.  Start with a phone call to Sandy of Critter Sitters at (630) 844-9554.