Most petsitters I know hate keys. It's not that we have some kind of phobia about them - although that would be understandable - it's simply that they have all the power. That terrible moment when you either shut a client's door knowing that your keys are inside on the work surface, or you reach a pet's home and realise that the owners have bolted the door from the inside, give me shivers.
I now have a good line of attack which is this:
Always get a set of front and back door keys. This is completely necessary because under Health and Safety laws, you must have a second exit route in case of fire.
Before you confirm a booking, try out the keys yourself. The client may have had that spare key for a while and not realise it's gone rusty.
Attach all keys to you. You can use a piece of leather round your neck or a clip on retractable cord. I clip this to my jeans.
Keep any keys you aren't using in your locked file or safe
Only have the pets names on the keys, not client's name.
WD40 can loosen up sticky locks.
One of my key experiences:
I walked a Labrador for a few years who, like all his breed, loved to carry things in his mouth. This fine and sunny June morning as he jumped into the back of my car, he snatched the keys out of my hand just at the moment I closed the rear door with the other. This particular car locked itself the moment the door closed. So there was Jack, car keys dangling from his gob and me, helpless, outside.
The temperature was rising fast and I knew I coudn't leave Jack in what was becoming an oven. I rang the AA who quoted half and hour but this was too long. I called my husband who told me how to break the window - you have to hit it at the right point apparently, something he learnt in the forces...hmm. So I hurled a rock at what I prayed was the right spot and the glass fell away. Hurrah. Jack wasn't bothered but my hands shook all the way home. A very expensive lesson for me:(
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