For care professionals · Pet care
What should I cover at a pet sitting meet-and-greet?
At a pet sitting meet-and-greet, cover the pet’s routine and health, the home and its quirks, keys and access, an emergency plan with vet details, your rates and cancellation terms, and a written agreement both of you keep. Just as important, watch the pet with you and decide honestly whether it is a good fit.
In 60 seconds
- A meet-and-greet lets the owner see you with their pet and lets you judge whether the pet is a safe fit for you.
- Ask about feeding, walks, behaviour, triggers, medication, health conditions and anything the pet has done that worried the owner.
- Agree in writing on services, schedule, rates, payment, key handling, emergency steps and cancellation terms.
- Collect the regular vet, nearest emergency clinic, a backup contact and written permission to seek veterinary care.
- Store the client’s personal information securely and keep only what you need for the work.
What questions should a pet sitter ask at a meet-and-greet?
A pet sitter should ask about the pet’s daily routine, food and treats, walks and exercise, behaviour around people and other animals, fears or triggers, health conditions and medication, and any history of biting, escaping or getting sick. Write the answers down rather than relying on memory.
- Feeding: what, how much, when, and where food is stored.
- Walks and exercise: route, length, leash or harness, off-leash rules.
- Behaviour: reactions to strangers, dogs, cats, children, bikes or loud noises.
- Escape risks: doors, gates, fences and whether the pet has run off before.
- Health: conditions, allergies, medication and dosing written down by the owner or vet.
- Home: alarm, thermostat, off-limits rooms, garbage day and other animals in the house.
How do I tell if a pet is a good fit at a meet-and-greet?
A pet is a good fit when you can handle it safely and meet its needs with your skills and schedule. Watch how it greets you, how it reacts to handling, the leash and the door, and how the owner describes its bad days. Trust what you see over what you hope.
It is fine to say no. Declining a pet with needs beyond your experience, or asking for a trial visit with the owner present, protects the animal, the client and you. Owners generally respect a sitter who is honest about limits more than one who says yes to everything.
Do I need a written agreement with a pet sitting client?
A written agreement is not always legally required, but it is strongly worth having with every pet sitting client. It records the services, dates, rates, payment timing, key handling, emergency authorization and cancellation terms, so both sides remember the same thing if a question comes up later.
Keep it short and plain. Both of you should sign or clearly accept it, and each should keep a copy. Contract law varies by province, so if the stakes are high or a term is unusual, ask a lawyer to review your template.
Maple Care is not a party to agreements between clients and professionals. If you would like a starting point, ask our team about our care agreement template, which is free and optional.
How should pet sitters handle client keys?
Pet sitters should agree in writing how keys, fobs, lockbox codes and alarm codes are handed over, stored and returned. Never label a key with the client’s address or name, keep codes out of shared notes, and return or confirm destruction of access details when the arrangement ends.
Ask your insurance broker whether your policy covers lost keys or lock changes; do not assume it does.
- Test every key, fob and code during the meet-and-greet.
- Label keys with a code only you understand.
- Agree on a backup plan if a key fails or is lost.
- Record when keys are handed over and returned.
What emergency plan should a pet sitter agree with a client?
The emergency plan should name the pet’s regular vet, the nearest after-hours emergency clinic, the owner’s phone numbers and a local backup contact, and give you written permission to take the pet for care. It should also say how the clinic will be paid, since the sitter should not be left carrying that cost.
Cover non-medical emergencies too: a lost pet, a power outage, a burst pipe or severe weather that stops you reaching the home. Agree who you call first and what you may do without reaching the owner. Pet first aid training helps, but the plan should always end with getting a veterinarian involved.
What cancellation terms should pet sitters set?
Pet sitters should set cancellation terms that say how much notice a client must give, what is charged for late cancellations or shortened trips, and whether holiday bookings have stricter terms. Also state what happens if you have to cancel, so the terms feel fair to both sides.
Whatever terms you choose, explain them at the meet-and-greet and put them in the agreement. Terms a client never saw are hard to rely on later.
How should I store a new client’s personal information?
Store a new client’s personal information securely, share it with no one who does not need it, and keep it only as long as the work requires. Addresses, alarm codes, travel dates and phone numbers are sensitive, because they tell someone when a home is empty.
PIPEDA, the federal private-sector privacy law, applies to personal information collected in commercial activity in most of Canada. Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have their own substantially similar private-sector laws. Check which law applies where you work.
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Frequently asked questions
How long should a pet sitting meet-and-greet take?
Allow enough time to meet the pet calmly, walk through the home, test keys and go through the agreement without rushing. Pets with medication, anxiety or complicated routines deserve extra time.
Should I charge for a meet-and-greet?
Many pet sitters do the meet-and-greet free, treating it as part of deciding whether to work together. Some charge for it, or credit it toward the first booking. Whatever you choose, tell the client before the meeting, not after.
What if the pet is aggressive at the meet-and-greet?
If the pet shows aggression or behaviour you are not equipped to handle safely, say so honestly and decline or suggest a trial visit with the owner present. Taking on a pet you cannot control puts the pet, you and other people at risk.
Should the client meet me before every booking?
A full meet-and-greet is usually needed only before the first booking. For later bookings, a quick check of any changes to routine, health, medication, keys or contacts is enough. Ask for a new meeting if the pet, home or household has changed a lot.
Does Maple Care attend or supervise the meet-and-greet?
No. Maple Care does not attend meetings, supervise work or take part in agreements. The client and professional arrange the meet-and-greet directly after contact details are exchanged, and together agree on rates, schedule and payment.
What should I bring to a pet sitting meet-and-greet?
Bring your written care agreement, your rate sheet, proof of any pet first aid certificate or insurance, and a way to take notes. A short intake form for pet, vet and emergency details helps you avoid forgetting anything while you are also meeting the pet and the owner.
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