Pet Poisoning.

It is a frightening fact, over 100,000 pets are accidentally poisoned in this country every year.  If and when it happens to your four-legged or feathered friend it is imperative that you do not panic and act quickly.  It starts with safety first by removing all of the potentially harmful products, plants, and foods from their wandering mouths.

Here are some helpful tips to remember –

1.  What did your pet digest and when?
2.  How much did they intake?
3.  Know the pet’s current weight.
4.  What is your pet’s medical history?

These are all important steps to insuring that your pet survives this scary incident.  When you cannot be around all day you want the peace of mind that comes with having the area’s best pet sitting service look in on your pet and your home.  In Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn and surrounding Chicagoland that answer is always Critter Sitters.  Call Sandy today at (630) 844-9554 for a visit to your home

Get to Know Us Before You Get to Know Us.

It may sound confusing, but it has a great deal to do with your busy schedule.  Choosing the right pet sitter in the Southern Fox Valley is as important to you as choosing the right family doctor or dentist.  You cannot afford to make a mistake just because someone on the internet proclaims that they are qualified pet sitters.

That is why we want you to visit www.alltopcrittersitters.com.  We want you to get to know who we are and what we do before we come into your home and baby-sit your four-legged kids.  On our website you will find a form.  It is called Sign Up.  Take your time and fill it out so we can discover your family’s needs.

My name is Sandy Hafenbrack.  Many years ago, I turned my love for all creatures great and small into a thriving pet sitting business in Aurora, Sugar Grove, Elburn and the surrounding area around the Fox Valley.  Your pets are your most important possessions and we know it.  Please fill out the form and I will give you a call or call me at (630) 844-9554.

You’re Going to be Gone for HOW Long?

Most of the year if you leave home it is for a day or perhaps a weekend.  In the summer, you may be absent from your castle for weeks.  Vacation should not be stressful worrying what’s going on back at home!  Small animals which can be left safely for a day or two are in danger if left alone for weeks.

Your gerbil, rabbit, guinea pig, macaw, even your expensive fish need care if you are going to be gone for a couple of weeks.  And what about your home itself?  Shouldn’t someone be looking in on the household periodically to insure safety and security?  You know the answer to that…of course they should!

If you live anywhere around southern Kane County in Chicagoland you can trust one of the best pet and house sitters in the land.  Sandy, or someone on her trusted team will look in on your home and your little critters while you relax worry-free hundreds of miles away.  Call Sandy today to arrange an initial visit at (630) 844-9554.

Your Four-Legged Child Needs their Exercise as Well.

How far away from work do you live?  If you live in the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland, chances are you have a long commute.  Our days are extended by many minutes (maybe even hours of driving).  When we are in the car or at work hours seem like days to our beloved pets…especially our dogs.

Here is a test.  You try holding it all day!  Exactly, so why would you expect your dog to do the same thing?  Human contact is what brought the wolves to the fire eons ago.  Human interaction is what your dog(s) crave.  If you are not there to provide it, why not someone who loves all creatures great and small?

The answer in Sugar Grove, Elburn, and Western Suburban Chicagoland is Critter Sitters.  Sandy or one of her amazing team members will come over every workday and walk as well as play with the “kids”.  Now that is peace of mind on which you cannot put a price!  Call Sandy and arrange an in-home meet and greet at (630) 844-9554.

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.

Sitting for Critters is not Just for Dogs.

Oh no, there are dozens of beloved pets both great and small that need to be looked in on.  Cats certainly come to mind.  Just because your kitty seems like a loner does not mean he or she wants to be left alone for days.  To a cat, a clean litter box is like a clean bathroom to us, so why subject her to that?

Beyond that there are exotic birds that live for decades and should not be left to sit by themselves for days on end.  There are hamsters, guinea pigs, bearded dragons (cute as heck in their own way!), snakes, etc.  Any and all mammals and reptiles need looking after if you are gone for more than a day or two.

Enter Critter Sitters.  Sandy and her amazing staff really do care for all creatures great and small and know how important they are to your family structure.  Monty Python had a cute skit back in a day that said with tongue in cheek “you wouldn’t want to come home to a dead cat!”.  Let your pets enjoy the comforts of their home while you are gone.  Call Critter Sitters serving the far Western Suburbs of Chicagoland at (630) 844-9554.

What are you Planning for 2018?

I’ll bet you that you did not plan on having a house fire!  Jill of Critter Sitters did not either.  She was entreated to watch over a family’s four-legged children while the humans traveled during the Christmas season to visit their human friends.  Along the way, potential disaster struck.  The Christmas lights started a house fire.

Now, understand Jill’s job as a representative of Critter Sitters was to watch the pets.  However, when the outside lights started a fire Jill acted quickly.  She contacted the fire department and, of course, made sure that the cats were okay.  The fire fighters did their job and Jill rose to the occasion because that is her call of duty!

When you hire Critter Sitters, serving Elburn, Sugar Grove and many adjacent Western Suburban Chicagoland communities, you are hiring responsible people who will care for your home as well as your pets.  Why would you call anyone else?  Sandy at Critter Sitters is the boss of this amazing team.  Give her a call at (630) 844-9554.

Vetting your Sitter.

We could say…vet your vet…you should do that too, but here we are talking about the humans that you trust to watch, walk, and generally baby-sit your four-legged children.  Who are they exactly?  Will they care as much about my pet as I do?  These are critical questions that need comforting answers.  So, make a New Year’s resolution!

For example, what vets do they use and trust?  What adoption services do they “adopt” and endorse?  Do they have the expertise to care for your loved one in case of an emergency?  Are they “friends” of the ASPCA and the American Kennel Club.  And, above all, who are the pet-sitters that are a part of their team.

All of these answers and more can be found at this website…alltopcrittersitters.com.  For decades Sandy has been caring for pets in the Elburn, Sugar Grove, and surrounding areas of Western Suburban Chicago.  She has built a team of caring, loving individuals who have been thoroughly vetted.  Call Sandy to arrange an in-home visit at (630) 844-9554.

Happy Holidays from Critter Sitters.

It is a joyous time of year in far west suburban Chicago.  Friends and relatives are gathering together with their four-legged children to celebrate the holiday season.  Isn’t it great to have a pet?  That is especially true this time of year when many may suffer a case of holiday blahs.  A warm hug and a wagging tail will perk you right up!

At Critter Sitters we hope that this season is the best ever for your family and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We have spent 2017 adding to our staff of professional animal care-givers so that you can rest assured that when you leave your loved-ones in our care we will treat them like our own.

Could you take an extra five minutes during this busy time of year and visit our website?  It is www.alltopcrittersitters.com.  Here, you can read all about us and meet our loving pet-sitters who hope to serve you in the Sugar Grove, Elburn, and surrounding area this busy season and throughout the upcoming year.  Once again, happy holidays to you and your critters from us!

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. 

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.

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.