Do you offer daytime house sitting outside of the Canada Bay LGA?

I serve Rhodes NSW 2138 and its surrounding suburbs. Plus Meadowbank 2114, Ryde 2112, Sydney Olympic Park 2127, Concord 2137, and Wentworth Point 2137. Outside of these areas the only exception to this is a full-day sit where I do not have other obligations and will accept bookings outside of Rhodes, up to 20km.

Remote online dog and pet training is offered worldwide.

Do you walk my dog during a pet sit?

Yes. If you have doggos we will do one walk in a half-day booking and two walks in a full-day booking. It doesn’t matter if you have one dog or three. This is in addition to playing, brushing, cuddling, treats, feeding, checking on food and water, and administering medication if needed.

Do I need to be at home to let you in?

No. If you live in a home you will either provide me with a key or tell me when you keep the spare key in advance. If you live in apartment you will need to provide me with a swipe card this can usually be secured from your real estate agent or strata / body corporate. I have a clean police record and have no interest in your belongings. Naturally, I could not stay in business long if there was even a hint of misconduct on my part as I only serve one community and it is a small community. Extreme care and all precautions are taken with the keys you provide.

I have more than one pet will you care for all my pets?

Yes. Simply let me know in your booking questionnaire the pets you have in the property - big or small you want me to care for. There is no extra charge, you pay for the time. This service can be anything that supports the living creatures you care about from feeding your tropical fish, seeing to a dog that is recovering from surgery, putting out fruit for the possum you have taken an interest in, to checking your worm farm. I have even fed frogs, pet ducks, and a pet chicken.

Do you bring in other pets or people during your in-home pet visit?

No. Never. The only person on the premise will be me. Animals of any species can be territorial, nervous, or aggressive when confronted with another creature or person that they do not know. The purpose of these visits is to comfort and care for your pet not to stress them or give them anxiety. In addition, it is not ethical or respectful to bring anyone or anything into your home.

Will you put my dog on lead in my home?

No. Unless you request some in-home lead training for your dog. Your dog is accustomed to being free around your home. The role of a house sit is not to change their routine or experiences for anything other than the better as guided by your instructions.

Can you help train my dog during the pet sit?

Yes. Commands that are for their safety are something that we can work on over time such as sit, come, wait, down. Every dog is different and learns at their own pace. Any training must be fun and conducted in short bursts.

Will you clean out litter trays and pee pads?

Depends. If I am booked for a couple of days in your home I will remove solids from the litter box and top up with litter or put down a fresh pee pad if that is something you request; for hygiene for your pet. If I am booked for a week (7 days) or more then of course I will change out the entire litter tray as that is about your pet’s health and comfort. No, I will not wipe your dog’s butt, they will clean themselves.

Will you turn up if it is raining?

Yes. The only possible change to this is if hail or other potentially dangerous weather is forecast. In that situation, we will have a discussion on the phone and I may arrive later than booked.

Can I reschedule a pet sit?

Yes. You will receive a booking confirmation and a reminder email in both is the link to my calendar to reschedule. To reschedule simply click on the reschedule link and find a new date and time slot that is available. You can reschedule as often as you need. The cut-off for making changes to a booking is 24-hours in advance.

Do I need to have a pet? Can you bring in parcels or let in tradespeople?

Yes. Not all pet sits are about pets. Some clients just like the peace of mind that someone is at home and I often have sits which are simply about being there. Also sometimes a client is expecting an important parcel, grocery delivery, or a tradesperson to come. You don’t need to have a pet. Sometimes we just need someone at home to give peace of mind, meet with tradies, and bring in parcels. That is just fine.

Will you arrive on time?

It depends. I try very hard to make all the slots as booked but I am dealing with animals. Animals are unpredictable. Sometimes very sick animals. In addition, sometimes a client wants to have a detailed discussion about their pet and get advice or provided extra instructions. Sometimes a client has a pet emergency and they need immediate support. I am there to help so I will. Rest assured I will get to your home. I am caring for animals it takes as long as it takes. Please do not worry. I will let you know if I expect a delay.

Is there anything I need to do to prepare for your visits?

Yes. There are some simple things you can do to make the sit a great experience for everyone.

1) Please complete the booking questionnaire so that I have that information to hand

2) Put out somewhere obvious (but not within reach of your pet) your pets’ favorite treats if you give them treats and food that will last for the duration of the sit. So if you book me for 4 days have at least 4 days food and treats. You are responsible for the food for your pet. I will feed what you provide and instruct.

3) Put out somewhere obvious your pets’ favorite toys. Don’t worry about washing them I have seen some pretty sad and sorry but much-loved toys

4) Put out somewhere obvious (but not within reach of your pet) any medication

5) Put out somewhere obvious (but not within reach of your pet) any brushes or combs.

6) Please let your neighbours know that you have a sitter and my name. Even if you are not very familiar with your neighbours they know the faces that come and go. You don’t want them thinking there is someone unauthorised or unexpected around your property.

7) If the visit includes a cat or dog ensure that your pet has a name tag and contact details attached to his collar. It is peace of mind for you.

I often get calls from panicked owners whose dog or cat has gotten off leash or out of their yard or off a balcony and they have followed after another dog or scent gotten away from them and can’t find them. They then contact me to help them look for their pet. They are very worried and distressed. That distress is amplified when they realise that there is no contact information on their pet’s collar. I have seen this time and again. It can happen more often than you think. Lost pets are a huge source of worry. Please make the small investment of having a name and contact details tag for your pet firmly attached to their collar.

8) If you have moved or changed address or changed your phone number or you have received your pet from someone else who originally registered your pet update your pets’ information on the NSW microchip register. I have worked around shelters and there is nothing worse than finding out that a pet is not microchipped, or if microchipped the contact details are out of date and the owner is not traceable. You never want your pet to have to go into the shelter system, which can have devastating consequences. Please make a small investment in time to have your pets’ information correct on the NSW Pet Registry.

9) Consider getting pet insurance. Not just for the sit but for the long term. Vet costs are high and even simple issues can run into thousands of dollars. You don’t want to have to make devastating decisions based on price especially if you are out of town or on vacation.

My pets have a special diet can you deal with that?

Yes. Trust me I have seen it all. People who only give their pets top quality steak, people who only feed cheap dry food, people who want their pet to have cooked chicken, and those who want me to warm up the meals. And then there are all the allergies. Then there was a time someone was trying to take their dog vegan (it didn’t work out), I fed crickets to frogs, and soaked grain for the chicken. We’ve got this!

Is there any pet you will not look after?

Yes. Snakes. I do not do snakes. Snakes require specialist care and are highly sensitive to temperature and change. I find it very difficult to judge their mood so I am not sure when they are hungry, thirsty, angry, contented, and I am not eager to handle them. Sorry, I am not your girl if you have snakes.

Can we meet?

Yes. I appreciate it is rather unusual handing over access to your home and the care of your pets to a perfect stranger. We can do a video call or I prefer to come to your home and connect with your pets. I like to arrange key pick up at the meet and greet. This way if your plans change or you have to be at the airport much earlier then planned due to some airline issues then the pet sit can progress as planned without panic to get me the keys earlier.

Can you clean my house?

No. My attention and focus is on your pet. I am not a cleaner. However, I will clean up after myself. I am in your home so yes if I bring or cook my lunch or snack I will use a plate and cutlery, I will have a glass of water, I will sit on the couch, I will be playing with your pet on the floor. I will wash and put away my dishes, wipe down the bench, and vacuum where I sat on the couch and played on the floor.

Can you stay the night as part of the sit, can you do day and night?

No. I have my own pets at home, they need my attention.

Do you do sits on public holidays?

Yes. You can book any full day or half day of the year that my calendar shows available. Public holidays is a time of high demand for sitters. There is a $100 surcharge for all services on NSW public holidays.

Do you do discounts, packages or coupons?

No. I do not do discounts, offer packages or coupons. The price is the price.

Can you groom my pet?

No. If grooming brings to mind bathing, clipping, blow drying, oiling and clipping nails that is a specialist service. I am not a dog groomer. I will of course brush your pet for relaxation and to help them care for their fur.

Do I need to complete the booking questionnaire?

Yes. This is the information I rely on to get to know your pet, their health situation, and their personality. Plus anything I need to know about your home. I do not just turn up and hope for the best. While I am in your home and with your pets I am conscious of their comfort and wellbeing.