Choose a dog walker who exhibits a true love for animals.

Most pet owners love their animals as part of the family and always want to provide the best treatment and care for their beloved four-legged friends. Choosing the right person to walk your dog while you are away from home, then, can be similar to choosing a baby-sitter for your child. How can a dog-owner go about finding a responsible and reliable dog walker?

New Yorker Nina Munk has written articles for national magazines, including The New York Times Magazine and Vanity Fair, and has served as a senior editor at Forbes. Munk is also the founder and chief executive of Urbanhound: the city dog's ultimate survival guide. Here she gives advice on how to find a trustworthy, pet-friendly dog walker:

• Research your options. Munk suggests you do some homework before you select candidates for the job of dog walker. Talk to some pet-owning friends or strike up a conversation at the local dog park. Ask who in the neighborhood has a reputation for kindness and responsibility.

• Be picky. We're all busy, and it's hard to find the time to interview people for a job like this. But if you really love your dog, you won't want to just hand him over to the first person you meet. Take your time and try to find the perfect match for both you and your dog.

• Ask questions. Ask your prospective dog walker a lot of questions. How many dogs does he or she walk at once? What happens if the walker is ill, or in the case of extreme weather? How would he or she handle various emergency situations?

• Ask for references. If your dog walker is professional and responsible, he or she will have happy clients. Ask for references so you can make sure other dog owners are satisfied.

• Find an animal lover. Lastly, Munk recommends choosing someone who owns, and who clearly loves, animals. If your dog walker is just in it for the money, you can never be sure that your animal is always going to get kind, humane treatment. You want a walker who would never dream of hurting an animal, and who will take the time to play with your dog as well as take him out to do his business.

Urbanhound
www.urbanhound.com

The Humane Society of the United States
www.hsus.org/ace/352

American Humane Association
www.americanhumane.org

Professional Dog Walkers Association
www.prodogwalker.com

Cherished Moments: Choosing a Pet Sitter
www.cherishedmoments.com/choosing-a-pet-sitter.htm

Next: Doggie Day Trips