We’re new to this and already have 2 sets of sitters to look after our cat. I have lots of general information to give about our area, but nothing specific which the ‘Welcome Guide’ seems to need.
For instance, I know good shopping areas, but I don’t have specific shops to mention.
I have written a few paragraphs on suggestions of what to do in our area. It feels it would be more useful to send that when a sitter is agreed
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Welcome @WillyG
The Welcome Guide is not sent until your sitter is confirmed but it’s good to have it prepared in readiness to send as soon as you have confirmed a sitter .
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In my listing I give the distances to villages/towns where shops and services are located. I don’t give any specifics in the Welcome Guide, but close to the time of the sit I mark on my phone’s map app where specific places of interest and supermarkets are located and send each link to the sitter on WhatsApp so it’s easy for them to navigate their way there during the sit.
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It’s easy to find local info on the internet; what I find helpful is when someone lists their favorite restaurants and walks.
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I consider recommendations for restaurants, etc., nice, but not important.
The key things I must get from the welcome guide are vet account info, emergency contacts, the pets’ daily routine with feeding, walking and sleeping, any health conditions and medication, whether they bite or scratch or such, whether they’re incontinent or have other pooping, peeing or barfing issues.
Also include garbage and recycling pickup days.
For restaurants, shops, etc., I can find such info myself, so recommendations aren’t must-haves.
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I appreciate a mention of the supermarket(s) in your area, or at least your favorite one. Often owners mention 2-3 grocery stores with some comments, like “very expensive” or “lots of organic produce” or “lots of good prepared foods.”
Cafe, pub, and restaurant recommendations are not really necessary, but if you have a couple of suggestions, that would be nice. I don’t think you need to put the addresses of any of these places in your Welcome Guide. Just the names. We will look it up.
That is nice that you made a document with things to see and do in your area. Your sitters might value that.
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Many people find the format of the Welcome Guide is not particularly user friendly. I live in an older building and there are some sections of the Welcome Guide that don’t apply at all and other sections that are missing completely. My solution was to create two documents one about the quirks in the apartment like making sure window screens are down when windows are open, and how to start the bedroom air conditioner – which works fine if you know the one neat trick! I also tag on a lot of local information about shopping, parks, etc in that document. Then I have another document that’s all about pet care.
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Thanks KChev, that’s what I was thinking of doing
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What I really like (but rarely happens) is when I am given information about what is happening nearby while I’m sitting. For example, village fete, local market, music at the local pub .
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Thanks everyone for the helpful responses.
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You can also ask your sitter(s) what other questions you can answer about your area or whether they have any specific interests! As you can see, there are a lot of differences in preference about what info is useful here, and you never know what a particular individual might be into (until you ask).
I would just say something like, “I’ve included everything I can think of on x, y, and z in the welcome guide, but if there’s any other info that would be helpful, please let me know!”
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