Key Management Solutions for In-Home Pet Sitters
You probably became a pet sitter so you could enjoy a flexible career working with animals, but as you probably know, there's a lot more that comes with the job.
Part of being a responsible sitter is taking good care of your client's keys and entry codes, too. If you’re new to key management, here’s what our professional pet sitters recommend:
How to organize a lot of keys when you're a pet sitter?
Keeping the keys to your clients' secure is important, no matter how many you have, but the task becomes more difficult if you’re working with several clients at once. The biggest thing to remember is to never keep any address information attached to the keys (or with them). That way, if you lose one or it were stolen, no one would know whose house it belonged to.
We also don’t recommend using a “hide-a-key” in an unsecured location with your pet-sitting clients. Even if they’re hidden or out of the way, it poses an unnecessary extra theft risk. It’s much better to keep the keys with you or use secure lockboxes made for key storage.
Key management tools for pet sitters
Key Lockbox: These small lockboxes attach to a door handle, fence, or other structure outside the house, or at a nearby location. Keys are kept inside and can only be accessed by knowing the code to the box. These lockboxes are the standard for realtors and other professionals.
Key Safe: If you are keeping several sets of clients' keys in your home, it’s a good idea to have a key safe installed. These are available at hardware stores and are mounted to the wall so that keys can be safely locked inside.
Key Caps or Labeled Key Rings: Use colored key caps or a key ring with a label to help yourself stay organized and ensure that you’re always bringing the right key for the job. Use the pet’s name or a secret color code. Never attach the client's name or address to their key.
How to organize digital home access keys and codes
Many homeowners don’t use physical keys at all, and instead install keypads or use an app to open/lock doors. These digital systems can make your job easier in some ways, but it doesn’t mean you can be lax about your security. It’s a good idea to use an encryption service for storing any of your clients' data. Most cell phone operating systems also have secure folders to store phone numbers or access codes in.
If your client is using an app to give you access to the home, ask them to add an additional 12-24 hours of access to the time allotted to you in case there is a delay in their return. You should also be prepared for power outages with electronic locks. It’s a good practice to ask the client to leave a physical backup key so you can get into the home even if the power is out.
Again, keep any home access codes stored separately from any client data. A best practice would be to keep most of the client's data stored safely on a home computer (physical files could be kept in a locked file cabinet), while the home access code or alarm code is kept in a secure file in your phone.
Similar to physical keys, any access code should be kept only with a code you understand or the pet’s name. Your list might look like:
Faith: 7789
Mr. Business: 12345
Xena: 3321
Best practices for key management safety
Clients place a huge amount of trust in you when they (quite literally) give you the keys to their kingdom. Here’s what we recommend for pet sitters to keep them safe:
Always test the keys with the client present. During your meet-and-greet with the client and their pet, make sure to test any physical keys or codes. You should be able to confidently open and lock the door on your first visit.
Use a secure method of key storage. Whatever tool or system you use, make sure everything is clear between you and the client. Being upfront about your security measures gives them extra peace of mind and shows your reliability.
Take a picture when leaving keys. At the end of the job, if you need to leave any physical keys behind, take a picture of where you left them. Even if they’re in a lockbox. This helps avoid any confusion, especially if the keys do end up missing
Have insurance. If keys were to get lost or stolen, hopefully, there will be little risk to the homeowners because you’ve taken proper precautions. However, you may still be liable for lock replacement. Having business insurance can help reduce your costs in these situations.
If you’ve never considered getting insurance, it’s an important step for a small business owner – along with licensing. All of this can be a bit overwhelming to navigate, which is why many professional pet sitters choose to work with a local agency. That way, you can spend more time with the pets.
Putting care and thought into your key management as a pet sitter is a great way to show how seriously you take your responsibilities. And if you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, we want to hear from you! At G&G Pets, we’re always looking to add to our roster of the best pet sitters in California.
You can learn more about us on our careers page, or use the button below to submit an application.
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