PAMPERED PETS: FIDO & FIFI NO LONGER SENT OFF TO KENNELS DURING VACATION

Signal Tribune

Long Beach, California - Her children were frogs. At least, that's how the woman referred to them when she hired The Pet Staff, a Long Beach pet sitting company, to watch her three leopard frogs while she was away.

Her requests were not simple. The sitter had to rub their bellies, wash them and cut up their earthworm dinner into tiny pieces.

"These frogs were her life," says Michael Landa, co-owner of The Pet Staff. "I think that there were four to five pages of typed instructions for the three little green babies."

Not all owners demand such attention for their pets, but an increasing number are turning to professional firms like The Pet Staff to allow their pets to live comfortably at home while they're away.

In addition to out-of-town care, many pet parents who work during the day rely on The Pet Staff to take their dog out for a midday potty and exercise break.

But owner beware. Landa says anyone can print a business card and call him or herself a pet sitter. Like other established firms, The Pet Staff performs formal background and reference checks on all sitters before they take work. The company also carries the maximum liability insurance and bonding limits to ensure each client's maximum protection against negligence or misconduct.

Prices range from $16.40 and up per visit depending on quantity and type of visit ordered. For additional information and detailed pricing, visit the company's website at www.thepetstaff.com or call (562) 491-5500.