Summary

The article provides advice on keeping pets safe while away on vacation, emphasizing the importance of having a plan for pet sitters who may get locked out of the house.

Abstract

The article begins with a hypothetical scenario of a family leaving their pet with a neighbor's kid while they go on vacation. The author raises concerns about potential problems that could arise if the pet sitter gets locked out of the house. The author, a locksmith, explains that locksmiths have the ability to compromise the security of a house's locks, but they must also consider liability for themselves and the homeowner. The author suggests a solution to this problem: creating a document with photocopies of the homeowner and pet sitter's IDs, permission for the pet sitter to access the house, dates that the homeowner will be away, and getting the document notarized. The author emphasizes the importance of protecting pets as if they were family members and ensuring their safety when leaving them at home.

Opinions

The author believes that it is important to have a plan in place for pet sitters who may get locked out of the house while caring for pets.
The author emphasizes the importance of protecting pets as if they were family members and ensuring their safety when leaving them at home.
The author suggests that creating a document with photocopies of the homeowner and pet sitter's IDs, permission for the pet sitter to access the house, dates that the homeowner will be away, and getting the document notarized is a good solution to this problem.
The author believes that locksmiths have a responsibility to consider liability for themselves and the homeowner when compromising the security of a house's locks.

Expert Advice: Keeping Pets Safe While Away on Vacation

Please don’t let this happen to you and your furry best friend.

“My wife, the kids and I are going away for a Dream Holiday vacation and the neighbor’s kid is going to walk our dog.” “Are there any unexpected problems that might occur?”

Yes, there always can be potential problems lurking when you leave your house, but have you thought about the safety of your pet? I’m sure the neighbor’s kid will do an excellent job walking Fido. But what if he loses your key, or accidentally locks himself out of your house. What’s the plan then?

If the pet sitter is locked out of your house, he’s going to need a locksmith to get back in.

As you know, locksmiths have the ability to “compromise” the security of a house’s locks, but locksmiths really just can’t ride around and “break-in” to people’s homes just because someone says they are pet sitting.

We as locksmiths have to think about liability; for ourselves, and the homeowner.

Locksmiths want to protect you from:

An “ex” with an agenda.

Thieves staking out the house and wanting in.

And other scenarios.

Here’s your solution. Get a blank sheet of paper, photocopy your driver’s license and the id of the person pet sitting on it. Write down the name & address of whoever is going to be watching fido, or fluffy, permission to be given access to your home should keys be lost, stolen, or just accidentally locked inside. Dates that you as the homeowner/pet owner will be away should also be included. Sign it; get it notarized if you can.

Of course, the locksmith that arrives at the scene would require proof of identification from the pet sitter, neighbor, etc. that holds the piece of paper with their name on it from you before we let them into your house. Take this one extra little step before leaving on that relaxing vacation, and you’ll avoid breaking out in a cold sweat worrying about your pets if your pet sitter locks themselves out of your house.

Remember, you wouldn’t leave your child home all alone without anyone to watch or care for him or her, so are you covering the basics when you leave the other members of your family; your pets, home?

Sometimes it seems as though our pet’s safety is often taken for granted, but it should be at the top of the list when it comes to planning an out-of-town trip, or even weekend getaways.

Let me relate to you a story that happened recently.

I was called by a company that does a pet sitting service. It seems the owner of the pet sitting service lost or misplaced the keys to a house she was pet sitting. Needless to say, she needed to get into the house that was locked, (to walk and feed and water the pet she was caring for), and if I (who has a locksmith company) would come and open the house.

Now, this might sound simple enough, but one small problem for me. How was I to know she was allowed in that particular house? What if she was an “ex” with an agenda? What if she and her “boyfriend”, “husband” or whatever were just staking out the house and wanted in? I know these scenarios may seem absurd, but nowadays, thoughts like this run through my head.

We as locksmiths have to think about liability.

So I asked the appropriate questions, do you live there, do you have ID, do you have permission? As I said, sounds simple to start off with, but this is serious, very serious.

As locksmiths, we have the ability to “compromise” the security of a house’s locks. We really just can’t ride around and “break in” to people's homes just cause someone says they are pet sitting.

The lady was very gracious, and understanding. She even offered to call the owner to give me permission over the phone. I know, sounds simple, but wait. What if it was just someone, anyone with a cell phone and that house address. I could be given permission to let the pet sitter into the house, but it might still not have been by the owner.

So, how could this whole unfortunate event have been different?

Let’s take time to do a little planning, for the sake of the pet sitter; professional or next-door neighbor kid, the locksmith that gets called on jobs like this, and most of all, the poor pet, that is like a family member that just wants to go to the bathroom and eat!

Here’s my solution again, (as mentioned earlier) simple and easy, only requires a few steps, and everyone is protected.

Photocopies of Homeowner & Pet Sitters ID.

2. Permission for pet sitter access into the house.

3. Dates Homeowner is away.

4. Notarize your permission document.

These few steps, as drastic as they may seem will ensure that if a locksmith is needed, he or she is only letting an authorized person into your property.

Remember, you don’t want to forget about the safety of your furry four-legged companions.

PS…the above pet in question was “rescued” safe and sound. :)

Have you scheduled your FREE 15 Minute Home Security Consultation with me yet? Visit: http://SLConsulting.Solutions

PPS… Before you go, please check out these fantastic writers and friends! Donna L Roberts, Ph.D. (Psych Pstuff), Phil Truman Joan Kent, Ph.D. Terry Mansfield, Penofgold, Less Doing, Ryan Seacrest, Dayton Parks, Thewriteyard, Lena Lee, Jake Penningsworth, Jonah Angeles, Agnus Lauriano Adelia Ritchie, Ph.D., Dr. Preeti Singh, Mario Batali, ✌TJ Parker, Liam Ireland, Genius Turner, Linda Halladay, Tim Maudlin, Jeff Herring, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz Ada LLoyd, Roger Himes Esq. Mario López-Goicoechea Dejan Stojanovic Nenad Vicovac

Discover more of my articles and podcasts at https://taplink.cc/thomassherwood9155