PSIs 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference Expo

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Thank You to our 2017 sponsors! Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

Beyond Cats & Dogs: Caring for fish and checking in on chickens Image Placeholder Presented on: September 19, 2017 Presenters: Brought to you by Jordan Di Marco Dogma Catma Pet Sitting Kim Tank Apronstrings Pet Sitting Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Jordan Di Marco Dogma Catma Pet Sitting Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Objectives • Understanding the basics of fish keeping • Spotting problems and addressing issues while pet sitting • Specific questions to ask clients Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Freshwater tanks • Most common • Easier to care for • “Beginner” tanks Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Saltwater tanks • More laborious • Fish have specific environments • Fish are more delicate (and expensive!) Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Bettas • Can live in tanks without filtration • Males cannot be housed together but can do well in community tanks • Betta bowl basics Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Goldfish • Relatives of carp • Should not live in bowls, filtration a must • Heavy waste producers • Cold water fish Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Koi Ponds • • Pond care and maintenance Hibernation Feeding Filtration and aeration Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo The Nitrogen Cycle Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Breakdown • Overcrowding – 1” of fish per 1 gallon – 2” of fish per 1 gallon (goldfish, carp, koi) – 3” of fish per square foot (saltwater) • “New Tank Syndrome” • Improper/faulty equipment • Fish diseases Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Water Testing • p. H measures alkalinity and acidity – Freshwater fish do well between 6. 5 -7. 0 – Saltwater fish are more fragile and prefer 8. 1 -8. 5 • Water hardiness (d. H or GH) – Amount of calcium carbonate in the water • Salinity – Specific gravity, ratio to equal volume distilled – Saltwater tanks should maintain 1. 020 -1. 027 • Ammonia, nitrates and nitrites – Ideally all 3 of these should measure close to zero – Improper balance of chemistry, fish waste, overcrowding Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Water testing kits • Available where fish are sold • Easy to use • Will give you a baseline measurement Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Feeding fish • • Flake, pellet and frozen food How much? How often? Different foods for different “environments” within the tank Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Lighting • Specialized bulbs • Lighting for plant photosynthesis • Timers Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Pet Sitting for fish • What should you ask clients? – Are lights on timers? – Will you need me to do maintenance on the tank while you are away? – Familiarize yourself with equipment – Do you have a sick tank? Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Tank Maintenance • • Can be complex depending on tank Water changes Filter changes Algae scrub If you don’t know how it works – don’t unplug it! Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Tank maintenance tools Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Contract • Liability concerns – Sick fish – Fish die off – Water damage – Power outage – Faulty or improper equipment • PSI contract Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Kim Tank Apronstrings Pet Sitting Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Q: Why did the chicken cross the road? A: To avoid predators! Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo Basic Chicken Care Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo The Nesting Instinct Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017

PSI’s 2017 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg? Design © Pet Sitters International – Content Copyright Presenter • Do Not Distribute #PSW 2017