出门旅行时，家中的宠物你会怎么处理呢？送到宠物寄养所？告诉你，现在有更便捷的方式了，请个宠物保姆（pet sitter）定期上门照看就可以啦。

A pet sitter is a contracted service provider who takes care of a pet at its own home. The term comes from baby-sitter.

宠物保姆（pet sitter）指签订了雇佣合同，在宠物家中提供照看服务的人。该词源自于婴儿保姆（baby-sitter）一词。

The professional pet-sitting industry is growing rapidly because many pet owners feel that there are advantages to using pet sitters, rather than traditional pet care options.

因为很多宠物主人认为用宠物保姆比选择传统的宠物寄养有优势，专业的宠物保姆行业正在快速发展。

Reasons people use pet sitters include:

人们选择宠物保姆的原因包括：

1. Possible reduced stress on pets because pets are cared for in their own homes

可能会减轻宠物的心理压力，因为宠物保姆是在家里照看宠物

2. No "travel trauma" to pets because they do not need to be transported anywhere

宠物不会经历出行的痛苦，因为它们无需被送到别处

3. Exposure to illnesses and parasites of other animals is minimized

从别的动物身上传染疾病和寄生虫的几率减小

4. Required vaccinations are often less restrictive than those necessary at a kennel

不像在寄养处那样有严格的免疫要求限制

5. Pets stay on their regular routines and do not need to adapt to a new environment

宠物保持原有作息时间，不需要适应新环境

Pet sitters usually have training, such as pet first aid certification, animal husbandry classes, or pet sitting accreditation. A number of professional organizations exist to help pet sitters improve their services.

宠物保姆通常会接受诸如宠物急救认证、动物驯养或者宠物保姆认证之类的培训。很多专业机构都会帮助宠物保姆提高服务水平。

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（中国日报网英语点津 Helen）

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