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Episode 64: April 19. 2023
Some of our new clients have reported that their former pet care providers shared their personal details on public forums. The info shared included the pets' medical problems & necessary medications, life events of the clients, what behavioral challenges the pets were experiencing, which city the client lives in, & details regarding upcoming pet sitting bookings. In addition, some posts referred to their pets with crude & offensive names or terms. In other posts, the animals were sexualized. None of this is acceptable. I'm appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate behavior. Nobody should share intimate details of their clients' lives, such as when they're traveling & leaving an empty home, or that their dog is incontinent, reactive or blind. I shouldn't even need to discuss this issue, as it falls into the "common sense" category. Animals should never be sexualized or called derogatory names. This is disgusting & alarming behavior from so called animal lovers. Actions always speak louder than words. Clients should be able to fully trust the people who care for their hearts (animals) in their sanctuaries (homes).
Every creature deserves to be treated respectfully. Period. This should be the standard, not the exception.
Safety is our top priority. Since privacy is a vital component of maintaining safety, & because we care deeply about our clientele, we respect & protect our clients' privacy at all times. Sits & Wiggles, LLC DOES NOT & WILL NOT:
1. Share client or pets' medical conditions or medications
2. Share client names, addresses, professions, keys, access codes, travel dates, destinations or other personal details
3. Announce which pets we're caring for in advance, or when
4. Announce which pets are reactive, fearful, anxious, special needs, et cetera
5. Announce which behavioral challenges the pets are working on
6. Share pet photos until after the job has completed
7. Share photos without written permission
8. Agree to leave a home unsecured
9. Advertise on our vehicles
10. Refer to pets or people with offensive or crude titles or names
11. Share clients' life events
12. Enter rooms that aren't necessary for us to perform our duties (with the exception of safety concerns such as smoke, water leak, etc.)
13. Prohibit cameras inside clients' homes, except for in bathrooms & bedrooms
14. Invite anyone into a client's home without consent
15. Smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, throw parties or play loud music in a client's home
16. Hold ourselves in a way that isn't professional
17. Use crude, sexual, derogatory or offensive language
18. Avoid transparency, honesty, fairness or compassion
19. Pressure a potential client to use our service. We always recommend interviewing multiple care providers. We want the best for the animal lovers of our community, whether you work with us or not.
20. Pressure a client in any way to do anything they don't want.
We have clients who don't want their pets' photos shared on social media outlets or on our website. We honor this choice. We are grateful for, and respectful of, our incredible clientele.
Written by Nakala Matthews, Safety Advocate
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