🐾 What I Need to Know Before Caring for Your Pet To ensure your pet receives the safest, happiest, and most personalized care possible, I like to gather some key information before our first visit. Every pet is unique — and the more I know, the better I can meet their needs and keep them comfortable while you’re away. Here’s what I typically ask for during our initial consultation or intake: 🐶 Basic Information Pet’s name, age, and breed Gender and whether they are spayed/neutered How long you’ve had them and any important history (adoption, rescues, etc.) 🐾 Health and Medical Needs Any current or past medical conditions Medications (what, when, how to administer) Allergies (food, environmental, or medical) Vet contact info and preferred emergency clinic Whether your pet is microchipped 🍽️ Feeding Routine Type of food (brand, wet/dry/raw, etc.) Portion sizes and feeding schedule Treats: how often, any restrictions Food guarding or special feeding behavior 🚶 Exercise & Daily Routine Preferred walk schedule or bathroom breaks Leash behavior (pulling, fear of certain things, etc.) Favorite types of play and toys Crate usage or free roam when unsupervised Energy level: couch potato, medium, or high-energy? 🧠 Behavior and Temperament Comfort level with new people or other animals Any fear triggers (thunder, fireworks, vacuums, etc.) History of aggression, biting, or resource guarding How they react when left alone (e.g., separation anxiety) Any commands or training cues they know 🏠 Home Environment Where food, leashes, toys, and cleaning supplies are kept Where your pet sleeps and spends most of their time Any areas that are off-limits Door and gate security (are they escape artists?) 💬 Emergency & Contact Info Your preferred method of contact (text, app, email) Emergency backup contact (friend, neighbor, family) How often you’d like updates (every visit, once a day, etc.) Travel dates and return time ❤️ Little Things That Matter Favorite toys, games, or comfort items Things they dislike or that stress them out Nicknames they respond to Routines they love or habits you’d like me to reinforce

🐾 A Day in the Life of a Pet Sitter: Compassion, Routine, and Tail Wags When clients trust me to care for their beloved pets, I treat it like more than a job — it’s a responsibility I take to heart. Every day is different depending on the pets I’m caring for, but here’s a detailed look at what a typical day of pet sitting might include: 🌅 Morning Wake-Up and First Visits My day starts early, usually with a few scheduled visits to homes where pets are awaiting breakfast, potty breaks, and a bit of morning attention. Dogs greet me with happy spins and wagging tails, while cats (depending on their personality) either saunter up for head scratches or observe from their perch like mini monarchs. Each pet’s routine is followed carefully: Dogs: Let outside or walked for morning potty time, then breakfast, fresh water, and a short play or cuddle session. Cats: Fresh water, scooped litter box, breakfast, and a little one-on-one time (with toys or just quiet companionship). I send a quick photo and update to the pet parent to start their day with peace of mind. 🐕 Mid-Morning Visits & Dog Walks Next comes a round of dog walks and check-ins for pets whose owners are at work. Each walk is customized: High-energy dogs get a brisk 30–45-minute walk. Older or smaller dogs get a gentler stroll with lots of sniffing time. If there’s a shy rescue or puppy in training, I take extra time to move at their pace, reinforce commands, and build trust. For pets with medications or special routines, I follow any instructions to the letter, always logging what was administered and when. 🐾 Meal Time, Play Time, and Rest This midday block usually includes a lunch visit or meal service for pets with multiple feedings. I’ll often visit homes where I’m staying overnight to check in, play, clean up any messes, and keep the house secure and comfortable. we’ll go for a backyard play session or a walk around the block, followed by some downtime indoors. 🐾 Enrichment and Specialized Care Afternoon visits focus on enrichment. For example: A cat might enjoy 15 minutes of wand toy play or brushing. A high-energy dog might need puzzle toys or training games. If a client has a senior pet or one with medical needs, I might be administering medication, giving subcutaneous fluids, or just providing comfort and companionship. I double-check all supplies — food, medication, leashes, litter, and leave a short note summarizing how the visit went. 🌙 Evening Routines and Tuck-In Time Evening routines often mirror the morning: walks, feeding, medications, play, and cleanup. This is when pets often get cuddliest, especially if I’m staying overnight. I dim the lights, turn on soft music or white noise, and give each animal time to wind down with me. If I’m pet sitting in the owner’s home, I make sure: Trash is taken out, Lights are set appropriately, Doors and windows are secure, Any home care tasks (watering plants, collecting mail) are done. I always send a final check-in photo or message to the client before bed, showing their pet relaxed and well cared for. 💤 Overnight Care If I’m staying overnight, this is when everyone settles down. Dogs usually sleep near me (or in their usual bed if preferred), and cats curl up in windows or at my feet. I stay on alert for any unusual behavior — senior pets or puppies might need a midnight potty break or comfort. 💬 Communication, Safety, and Peace of Mind Throughout the day, I stay in regular contact with pet parents. You’ll never wonder how your pet is doing you’ll get: Real-time text or app updates Photos and videos Notes on food intake, behavior, bathroom habits, and play I also keep detailed records of visits and have emergency contacts and vet info on hand at all times. Safety and comfort — for both pets and owners — is my top priority.