Paw Pals Pet Sitting

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in Northern VA

(703) 345-1695
Schedule Our Services
  • About Us
    • Client Reviews
    • Common Questions
    • Team Bios
    • Join Our Team
    • Who We Support
  • Pricing
    • Dog Walking
    • Dog Sitting
    • Cat Sitting
    • Pet Sitting
    • Additional Services
    • Holiday Fee Service Schedule
  • Policies
  • Dog Sitting
    • Areas Served
      • Centreville, VA
      • Chantilly, VA
      • Clifton, VA
      • Fairfax Lakes, VA
      • Fairfax Oaks, VA
      • Fairfax Station, VA
      • Fairfax, VA
      • Manassas ,VA
      • Oakton, VA
      • Reston, VA
      • Vienna, VA
  • Dog Walking
    • Areas Served
      • Centreville, VA
      • Chantilly, VA
      • Clifton, VA
      • Fairfax Oaks, VA
      • Fairfax Station, VA
      • Fairfax, VA
  • Cat Sitting
    • Areas Served
      • Centreville, VA
      • Chantilly, VA
      • Clifton, VA
      • Fair Lakes, VA
      • Fairfax Station, VA
      • Fairfax, VA
      • Manassas, VA
      • Oakton, VA
      • Reston, VA
      • Vienna, VA
  • Pet Sitting
    • Areas Served
      • Centreville, VA
      • Chantilly, VA
      • Clifton, VA
      • Fair Lakes, VA
      • Fair Oaks, VA
      • Fairfax Station, VA
      • Fairfax, VA
      • Manassas, VA
      • Oakton, VA
      • Reston, VA
      • Vienna, VA
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

In-Home Pet Sitting for the Holidays

November 22, 2016 by Mary Telesz

Pet Sitting for the HolidaysAlthough you may wish you could bring your pets everywhere when you travel, at times, it simply is not feasible. During the holidays, many people seek out the services of a pet care professional to ensure their pets are safe while they are away. There is no need to feel guilty about leaving your furry friends behind if you have the right person keeping them company.

In-home pet sitting is a convenient solution to boarding your pet during the holidays. They are able to remain in the comfort of their own home, while you receive daily updates from your pet care professional. In order to find efficient coverage for your holiday plans, there are a few important aspects to consider when seeking in-home pet sitting during the holidays.

Planning Ahead

These days, everyone considers their pet a part of the family. Many people choose a professional pet-sitting service over boarding their loved ones in a noisy and cold kennel. Therefore, planning ahead is essential to finding the proper professional for the holidays.

Ideally, you should book 6 months in advance. The closer it gets to the holidays, the less availability you have—and rates may increase exponentially. Although most pet care companies will allow you to book right up until the holiday, there are many other establishments that will cut off the reservations at the two month— and sometimes even three month—mark.

The best rule of thumb is to never put it off or wait. The last thing you want to do is be stuck with plane tickets, and no one to watch your pet. For an animal that is accustomed to the comforts of their own home, kennels and boarding facilities are simply not an option. Therefore, scheduling at least 4 months in advance will ensure you have solidified plans when the holiday arrives.

Hiring a Professional

There are a variety of reasons why you may want to consider hiring a professional to watch your pet over the holidays. Unlike asking the neighbor or a friend, there are certain benefits to hiring a pro, that an untrained individual simply cannot provide. Pet care professionals have commitment, integrity, and a deep connection with animals. Ask any professional, and they will always tell you they do it for the love of them.

A good pet sitting service will often go above and beyond simply watching your pet. They will engage them, play with them, and make sure they have stimulation. Whether it is cuddling, playing fetch in the yard, or taking a long walk, you can rest assured your pet is getting the optimum amount of attention while you are gone.

One of the most important differences between hiring a pet care professional over a friend or family member is that they are trained and certified to account for the overall safety of your pet. Every professional should be First Aid and CPR certified for animals and should be recertified every 2 years.

Another benefit to hiring a professional is that many are trained to administer medication. If your pet takes a daily prescription, or needs an insulin shot, your friends and family members may not have the knowledge to manage this correctly. Professional pet care services have the type of medical training that allows you to have peace of mind on your holiday travels.

Many professional pet care providers are also insured and bonded by professional associations. There are two national agencies that are dedicated to training and certifying professionals in the pet care industry, The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), or Pet Sitters International (PSI).

An Extra Touch

Additionally, a seasoned pet care professional has no problem with attending to other small tasks in your home. This, in turn, can offer another level of security for your residence when you are away for the holidays. The following are a few examples of a little extra touch that a professional can add to the pet sitting process:

  • Watering plants and/or a garden
  • Bringing in the mail, packages, and newspapers
  • Opening and closing the shades
  • Turning the lights on/off
  • Feeding fish
  • Refilling bird feeders
  • Taking out the trash and recycling

Although these are not tasks that you are paying a pet care professional to perform, they are easy enough to accomplish while visiting your pet. At times, when asking a friend or family to watch your animal, it may be hard to ask for anything else. A true pro goes above and beyond; their ultimate goal is for you to enjoy your holiday trip.

Holiday Rates

Another reason why it is important to plan ahead of time is because the rates for pet care professionals and pet sitting are almost always higher than their regular pricing on the holidays. That is because a professional is making sure your pet is safe and happy on a day that most people have off. It is critical that you have your plans set in stone prior to scheduling or making a reservation. That is because cancellations on a holiday usually result in a zero refund.

The Initial Consultation

Prior to a professional coming to your house for a holiday, an initial meet-and-greet should to be set up so you can introduce your pets, and the professional can interact in your presence. This serves a double purpose as you can see how the professional will be treating your animals.

During the consultation, your pet’s behavior and temperament will be evaluated to determine if they are a suitable candidate for in-home pet sitting. Your needs can be discussed, and at this point, you may demonstrate your pet’s routine. Policies can be talked about and if it is a good fit, the holiday can be scheduled.

Types of Holiday Care

Every pet is different, and your animal may require more or less attention depending on their temperament. There are three types of in-home pet sitting: visits, overnights, and away stays. Cats usually only require 1 visit every 24 hours, but dogs will need 3. The following are the differences between the three types of care, and why one may work for you better than the other.

Visits: This type of interaction is aimed to eliminate stress and keep the pet engaged. Depending on your animal, a professional may be at your home up to three times a day to ensure your pet is taken good care of. During these visits, pet care professionals can also perform minor tasks, like watering the plants and feeding fish.

Overnights: Some pets may have severe separation anxiety. In this case, an overnight (in-home) stay may be the best choice for your pet. Overnight stays are usually for the duration of 12 hours, and begin anywhere from 7-10 p.m.

During this timeframe, a pet care professional will be expected to walk your dog at least twice. Your animal may need additional visitations during the day, but the overnight is designed to make them feel safe at night. An extra benefit is that there is a live person in your house, while you’re on holiday vacation. That level of security is unparalleled.

Away Stays: It may be that you are somewhere in the middle between boarding in a kennel and in-home pet sitting. A third option is to allow your pet to spend their time at a pet care professional’s house.

This serves as the ultimate form of attention for your pet, as the pro is temporarily adopting them—so you can enjoy your vacation. This is an option that may not work well on many pets, and not at all for some others. Birds should never be transferred, and cats are most likely better off remaining in their home environment. Dogs, however, are attention-seeking pets, and require a level of care greater than any other animal. Thus, some may be a good candidate to stay in the home of a pro.

The majority of pet owners will most likely opt for the day visits, but overnights are always a good choice for pets that are highly anxious. During the initial consultation, you will be able to see how well a pet care professional can calm them down, prior to scheduling anything.

Overall, the least healthy environment for an animal is a kennel. Remaining in close quarters increases the chances of communicable diseases. Additionally, your pet may be confused and stressed (and you may even be thinking about them your entire holiday vacation).

Learn More About Holiday Pet Sitting In Your Area

The most comfortable and calming environment for your pet will always be their own home. Plan ahead for the holidays, and make sure your pet is in a safe environment with a loving and trained professional. In-home pet sitting is a gesture that shows your pet that you hope they have a happy holiday as well! Contact Paw Pals today to learn more about holiday pet sitting!

Filed Under: Pet Care

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

Have a question?

Send us a message and we'll get back to you in a timely manner.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Certifications & Associations

PetTech-logo

PUPS-logo

KennelPro

Northern Virginia Magazine - Best Pet Care 2019 Award

 2020 Best Pet Care Award

Powered By

Pet Sitter Plus logo

Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

professional dog walking software

Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 22151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
5.0
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
See All Reviews Write a review
powered by Google

© 2021 · Paw Pals Pet Sitters, LLC · Website Design by 321 Web Marketing