Pet Sitting for all Creatures Great and Small.

One thing about our beloved pets is that they develop habits which stem from YOUR daily routine.  They sleep in similar places, eat at somewhat regular times, and (hopefully) sleep when you expect them too.  The important thing for a four-legged child is routine.  Anything that upsets that upsets the household.

What are your plans for 2018?  Will your job take you out of the house more often?  Will you be going on vacation(s)?  Do you have a sick relative outside of Chicagoland that you wish to visit?  Better yet, are you a snowbird who wants to escape winter for a month or so?  Every decision you make impacts your pets.

That is where Sandy Hafenbrack and her amazing, loving team of care-givers comes in.  Sandy is the owner of Critter Sitters serving Elburn, Sugar Grove, and other areas of Western Suburban Chicago.  When we say that she and her staff treat your loved ones with the same care you would we may be underestimating their love for all creatures great and small.  Call Sandy today for an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

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.

Holiday Vacation Time…What about your Pets?

If you are piling into your car to go to Grandma’s for a holiday visit, chances are you will be gone for several days.  This is especially true since Christmas falls on a Monday.  Surely, you have made arrangements for the care and feeding of your four-legged children while you are gone.  If not, it is high time that you did!

There are simple things such as regular visits from caring, loving humans.  Then there may be some complicated matters such as the administration of medicine and other life-saving materials that we routinely give our pets.  When you hire the right pet sitting service your peace of mind is immeasurable.

Those of us who live in the far western suburbs of Sugar Grove, Elburn and the surrounding area have learned over the last 25 years to count on Sandy.  Sandy Hafenbrack is the owner of Critter Sitters.  She and her amazing team will take care of your pets as if they were their own.  Time is of the essence.  Call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554.

With More Life comes More Challenges.

Just as human longevity has dramatically increased our wonderful four-legged children are living longer too.  For the most part, that is wonderful and we are truly blessed!  With longevity comes challenges.  Just as humans often need special care in their senior years so might our dog or cat or other beloved pet.

There are things that need to be done to enhance the quality of life in these golden months and years.  Such things as insulin shots, pill taking for recalcitrant pets, and administration of subcutaneous fluids.  Are you equipped for that?  It can be incredibly frustrating and stressful trying to administer these life-prolonging supplements.

You may have heard of Critter Sitters.  They are known throughout the Sugar Grove and Elburn area as premier dog-walking and pet care professionals.  Critter Sitters is also whom to call when your pet has special needs.  Visit their website at www.alltopcrittersitters.com then call Sandy for more information 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. 

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.

Holiday Myths and Facts about Cats and Dogs.

How many times have you heard someone say, “Be careful where you put that Poinsettia. Your dog may eat some of it and get deathly ill?”  It is true that holly and other plants can upset a dog’s digestive system.  Fortunately it will only cause a bit of a tummy ache, but keep them out of their reach anyway.  However, many holiday arrangements are made with lilies which may be extremely toxic to your cat.

You may have said that Aunt Ruth’s fruitcake is inedible, and that may be the truth for your pet.  Grapes and raisins are common ingredients in this seasonal tradition.  Your beloved pet could go into kidney failure if they ingest these seemingly innocent fruits.  Tinsel is another culprit - it may look shiny to your cat, but it can easily get wrapped around kitty’s tongue or intestines.

We just thought you should know.  Pet care is our year around care and concern  here at Critter Sitters.  We serve all of Aurora Illinois and the surrounding area.  If you have just gotten a “Christmas puppy” or if you have finally decided that your 4-legged child should have professional pet sitting while you are out, call Sandy today.  If you live in the area and want to become a part of her growing team of pet sitting professionals please call her as well.  The phone number is (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.

The “Dog Days” of Summer.

The summer months can be uncomfortable- even dangerous- for pets and people. It's difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm-caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results. 

Practice summer safety with your pets.  As we mentioned last month, DO NOT leave your pets in a parked car…even for a minute.  Keep an eye on the humidity as much as the temperature.  Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels. 

Remember to limit their exercise on hot days.  This is just common sense.  Fans do not help a pet the way they do a human so don’t expect that to cool them down.  And always provide ample shade and water while watching for any signs of heatstroke - such as heavy panting, glazed eyes, or a rapid heartbeat.

Whenever you need pet care and sitting services in the Fox Valley area contact Sandy at Critter Sitters of Montgomery at (630) 844-9554 or visit them on the web at www.alltopcrittersitters.com.

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.

Happy Summer Vacation!

It is time to hit the road with the family on that special summer getaway that you may have been planning for months or even years.  Before you hit the road, your checklist of things to do must include how your home is taken care of, and that includes making sure everything in and around it is safe while you are gone.  We sometimes put off travel indefinitely because we don’t trust anyone to take care of our pets and home while we are away.

If you live in the Fox Valley of Chicagoland put your worries to rest.  Your friends at Critter Sitters of Montgomery have everything under control.  In addition to taking excellent care of your four-legged kids, Critter Sitters will be happy to take care of a few household chores while you are away.  They will bring your mail and newspapers indoors if you wish.  They will also water your indoor and outdoor plants and take out the trash.

So stop worrying and hit the road.  Critter Sitters is known throughout the western suburbs for their expert pet care.  Everyone has come to know that when you need a variety of pet care services you give Critter Sitters a call.  Visit them on the web at www.alltopcrittersitters.com or call them at (630) 844-9554 and have a great and safe summer!

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.