Pet sitting questions answered
Pet Sitting FAQ
Answers to common questions about scheduling, meet & greets, visits, medications, pricing, holiday care, and in-home pet sitting in Charlottesville, VA.
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Booking & scheduling
Scheduling Pet Sitting Visits
How do I schedule pet sitting?
You can reach out through the contact page to share your dates, pets, location, and care needs. From there, we can discuss availability and schedule a complimentary meet & greet before visits begin.
Do you offer meet & greets?
Yes. Initial meet & greets are complimentary and give us a chance to review your pet’s routine, entry instructions, care details, and make sure everyone feels comfortable.
How far in advance should I book?
Booking as early as possible is recommended, especially for holidays, weekends, and busy travel seasons. Availability can fill quickly during peak times.
Do you offer holiday visits?
Yes. Holiday visits may be available depending on scheduling, and holiday pricing applies to listed holidays and high-demand travel dates.
What areas do you serve?
Megan’s Pet Sitting offers reliable pet sitting services across the greater Charlottesville area, including neighborhoods like North Downtown, Belmont, Fry’s Spring, Locust Grove, Fifeville, The Meadows, Rose Hill, Johnson Village, Lewis Mountain, and Little High.
Availability may depend on location, schedule, parking, and travel time.
Please contact me if you are nearby and unsure if you fall within the service zone.
Visits & care
What Happens During Pet Sitting Visits
How long are pet sitting visits?
Standard pet sitting visits are one hour long. This allows time for feeding, fresh water, litter or habitat care, walks or potty breaks, medication if needed, companionship, and detailed updates.
Do you provide overnight stays?
No. Megan’s Pet Sitting provides in-home drop-in visits, but does not offer overnight stays.
Can you administer medication?
Yes. Medication support may include pills, liquids, insulin injections, inhalers, topical medications, and other routine medications.
Can you care for senior pets?
Yes. Senior pets are cared for with patience, consistency, and attention to comfort, mobility, appetite, medication needs, and behavior changes.
What types of pets do you care for?
Care is available for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs, chinchillas, ferrets, and other small companion animals.
Do you walk dogs?
Yes. Dog sitting visits may include short walks, potty breaks, playtime, and companionship depending on your dog’s needs, routine, and comfort level.
Can you bring in mail or water plants?
Yes. Basic household tasks can usually be included when time allows. Extended household tasks may require additional time or an added fee.
Home & security
Keys, Updates & Peace of Mind
How do you handle keys or entry instructions?
Entry instructions are reviewed during the complimentary meet & greet. Keys, lockboxes, door codes, and other access details are handled carefully and kept private.
Will my home stay secure while I’m away?
Yes. I follow your instructions for locking doors, securing gates, lights, alarms, and any other home details discussed before visits begin.
Do you send updates and photos?
Yes. Updates are sent after visits and may include photos, feeding notes, litter or habitat updates, walk details, medication notes, and anything unusual or worth mentioning.
What happens if there is an emergency?
If something urgent happens, I will contact you right away and follow your emergency instructions. If veterinary care is needed, I will help coordinate next steps as calmly and quickly as possible.
Pricing & payment
Rates, Payment & Holiday Fees
How much does pet sitting cost?
Rates vary by pet type and care needs. Cat sitting is $25/hour, dog sitting is $35/hour, and small animal sitting is $25/hour. Additional pets or services may include added fees.
What payment methods do you accept?
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and Zelle.
Are holiday visits extra?
Yes. Holiday visits include an additional $10 per visit fee for listed holidays and high-demand travel dates.
Are additional pets extra?
Yes. Additional cats or dogs are $5/hour per additional pet. A small animal added to cat or dog care is also an additional $5/hour.
Where can I view full pricing?
Full pricing details are available on the Pricing page, including add-on services, holiday fees, and payment options.
Pet behavior & safety
Safety, Temperament & Special Situations
Do you care for aggressive pets?
No. Services are not provided for pets that exhibit aggressive behaviors such as biting, lunging, or jumping at people with intent to attack.
Do you care for large dogs?
Services are not provided for dogs larger than a Black Labrador or dogs weighing over 90 pounds.
What if my pet hides during visits?
That’s okay. Some pets need space, especially shy cats and sensitive animals. I respect hiding places, move calmly, and focus on making sure food, water, litter, medication, and other care needs are handled.
What if my pet gets sick while I’m away?
I will contact you right away, follow your emergency instructions, and help coordinate veterinary care if needed.
Do you work with anxious or senior pets?
Yes. Many visits are a good fit for anxious, shy, senior, or routine-sensitive pets who do best with calm, consistent in-home care.
Still have questions?
Ready to Discuss Your Pet’s Care?
If you have a question that wasn’t answered here, I’d be happy to learn more about your pets, their routine, and the care you’re looking for.