by Ginger Willis
Elements of Fun Organizing
Pets may rule our hearts, but they do tend to bring a bit of chaos to the household! One of the best ways to return that love (and preserve your home) is to include them in your organizational strategy. This will help you better meet their needs without sacrificing your own quality of life. As it turns out, animals thrive on structure, much like human children. So, a functional system can play an important role in keeping them happy and healthy. I’ve put together the following guide to help you “manage the farm,” no matter what kind of pets may be roaming your house.
Avoiding Animal Take-Over
Sometimes all it takes is just one animal (or one disorganized pet parent) to make your home feel out of control. Creating the right space for your pets, keeping track of their food and supplies, and setting reminders for yourself can help restore order.
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Set Up a Pet Station – Having a central location for all your pet-related stuff makes things more convenient and helps you keep track of what you have on hand. You don’t want to cross the room every time you need to fill a bowl or get the leash! You can set up a pet station wherever it makes the most sense for accessibility. Any closet, cabinet, drawer, bench, basket, or small cart will do.
Depending on how your home is set up, you may need more than one location to keep everything neatly tucked away. You may want a separate feeding station, walking station, and toy station.
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Have a Container for Toys – Baskets are a simple way to corral pet toys, and they can be matched to the aesthetics of your home.
*Storing dry food in an airtight container rather than the bag it came in can be a game-changer! The area will stay cleaner, food will stay fresher, and it will keep both insects and pets from helping themselves to a snack. Plus, you can easily label them with the pet’s name and the amount they get so you are pet-sitter-ready!
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Set Up a Pet Area – Not every home has the space for it, but if you do, a dedicated pet area is a nice way to honor your pet and preserve your home. It can not only provide them a kingdom to call their own, but it helps keep everything pet-related contained…to a point.
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Conduct an Audit - Regularly audit and edit toys, supplies, medication, etc. to make sure they are in good condition, loved and enjoyed, clean, in date, etc.
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Set Limits – It can be tempting to bring more and more pets into your home, but consider your space carefully before you make that commitment. Do you have space for a massive rabbit cage in the living room? If not, and you really want that rabbit, plan and organize the space first. It may require some editing. Your other pets, your family, and the rabbit will thank you for it…even if you ultimately decide NOT to bring the rabbit home.
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Stick to a Cleaning Schedule – Okay, I know. Where’s the fun in a cleaning schedule, right? The goal is to make things easier by tackling the mess before it gets out of hand. Animal fur, paw prints, nose prints, drool, tracked litter, well-loved toys, messy eating areas, and “aromatic” sleeping areas can add up to a lot of yuck. So, it’s helpful to stay ahead of the game! If you wait until it’s overpowering…well, you know.
Giving Your Pets a Solid Routine
Life tends to revolve around the combined schedules of your household members. But pets are people too, right? So, it’s important to create a routine so they know what to expect each day.
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Feeding – Not only do your animals know what time it is, but they like to know what’s for dinner! So, being consistent with when, what, and how much you feed your animals is very beneficial to them. And you definitely don't want to run out of food and treats. Consider using auto-ship once you know how frequently you need to restock.
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Potty Breaks – The more consistent you are with feeding, the more consistent your animals will be with the need for potty breaks. This not only helps them physically and emotionally, but it helps you plan around their “necessity” schedule and hopefully reduce accidents in your house.
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Grooming – If your pet needs regular grooming, nail trims, etc., it’s helpful to set up a schedule with reminders…even if you do it yourself.
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Medicine – If your pet requires meds, be sure to put the refills on your calendar, set reminders on your phone, or “set it and forget it” with auto-ship.
Prepping for the Pet Sitter
Sadly, we can’t take our pets with us everywhere, so at some point you may need a pet sitter. Whether that person is a friend, family, or a professional you hire, a set of instructions can be incredibly helpful. If you already have everything documented, you won’t find yourself stressed at the last minute trying to remember and relay those details.
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Create a Pet Care Guide – You don’t have to write a book, but documenting critical information will make your sitter’s job a lot easier. It can also help you relax, knowing that you’ve given them everything they need to properly care for your fur babies. Here are some things you might include depending on what kind of pet you have.
Feeding Schedule
What do they eat, how much, and at what time? Do bowls need to be separated if you have multiple pets? Any special diets?
Play and Exercise Needs
How often, where, and how far do they walk? How do they like to be entertained? Where are the toys? Which toy is their favorite?
Human/Animal Friendliness
Do they get along with other animals and people, and are you okay with them interacting?
Behavior
Is there anything else important to know about their behavior?
Safety
Do certain doors need to be left open or closed to prevent an animal from getting trapped or escaping? Do you use a crate at certain times of the day? How do you transport your pet to the vet? Is your pet allergic to anything?
Potty Break Schedule
How long can they go between visits? Do you have certain cleaning supplies in case of accidents or wet/muddy weather? Does your neighborhood have any designated or restricted areas for pets?
Treats
When should they get a treat and how many are appropriate?
Location of Supplies
Where are food, treats, bowls, leashes, poop/litter bags, towels (in case it rains), sweaters (if they need to be dressed for the weather), and cleaning supplies located? This one is a lot easier if you’ve set up a pet station!
Medicine
Do they require medicine, how much, how often, and how is it given? A daily pill organizer can be helpful in some situations.
Commands
What commands do they respond to? Are they in training and receive rewards for certain behaviors?
Identification
Which animal is which if you have multiples? This is especially important if one needs medication or if there is anything to report back to you.
Trash/Recycling
Where do you dispose of poop/litter bags or empty food cans? Do you recycle?
Vet information
What’s the name, address, and phone number of your vet?
Contact Info
What’s the contact information for you and a local backup person?
Updates
How frequently would you like updates?
Availability
Will you be available for questions, be in another time zone, have phone service, etc.?*This one is trip-specific and will need to be updated.
Need to Create a Pet Organization System?
If you don’t already have a system that keeps your pets and their “stuff” organized, we can help! Our team of professional organizers absolutely loves working with pet parents. Whether you want us to step in and tackle the project for you or you just need a little virtual guidance, we’ve got you!
For more information, contact Ginger Willis.
