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How to Book a Pet Sitter or Boarding Stay

Tap each step to walk through booking a pet sitter or boarding stay in order.

  1. Decide between in-home sitting and a boarding facility

    Choose between a sitter who visits or stays in your home, and a boarding facility where your pet stays at their location, based on your pet's temperament and your schedule. A pet that gets anxious in new environments often does better staying in the comfort of home.

  2. Check the sitter or facility's profile and reviews

    Look at experience, which breeds or species they typically handle, and real user ratings and reviews. Specific reviews from other owners who've boarded a similar pet are especially useful.

  3. Set up a pre-meeting to check compatibility

    A short meet-and-greet before booking, in person or over video, lets your pet and the sitter get familiar with each other and lets you judge whether the sitter's style suits your pet's personality.

  4. Share feeding, medication, and personality details

    Passing along exact feeding amounts and times, any medications, sounds or situations your pet is afraid of, and walking habits helps your pet keep a routine close to normal while you're away.

  5. Confirm the booking and share an emergency contact

    Once booked, share your contact information along with your regular vet's details as an emergency contact so the sitter can respond quickly if something urgent comes up.

  6. Check in on photo and video updates

    Many sitters and facilities send photos or short videos through the app during the stay, so you can check on your pet's condition and reach out right away if anything looks off.

The more detail you share about routine, the less stress

Small-sounding details β€” feeding times and amounts, walking habits, a favorite toy β€” genuinely help. Passing them along lets your pet keep something close to their normal rhythm in an unfamiliar setting, which meaningfully cuts down on stress during the stay.

When to consider traveling together instead

If your pet handles new environments poorly even with careful preparation, it may be worth weighing whether to bring them along on the trip instead of boarding them. That usually means crate-training in advance, confirming pet-friendly lodging, and packing familiar bedding and food β€” more upfront work, but sometimes less stressful overall for an anxious pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my pet seems anxious the first time being boarded?

Sending along a blanket or toy that smells familiar can genuinely help with comfort. It also helps to start with a short stay and gradually build up to longer ones rather than jumping straight into an extended trip.

Who is responsible if something goes wrong during a stay?

Liability and insurance policies vary widely between providers and platforms, so it's worth checking what happens in the event of an accident, and who is responsible for what, before you book. This is general information, not legal advice β€” check the specific provider's terms.