💭Frequently Asked Questions💭

Get in touch and tell me a little about your animals — WhatsApp is usually easiest.

We’ll then arrange a free meet-and-greet, so your animals can get to know me and you can ask me anything. There’s no obligation at all.

Before the first visit I’ll send you a short form covering your animals’ routine, any medication, your vet’s details and an emergency contact. It takes a couple of minutes, and it means nothing is left to guesswork.

Yes, and there’s no obligation to book afterwards.

It’s as much for you as it is for me. You’re trusting someone with your animals and your home, and you should feel completely comfortable before that happens.

If you’re more than about 30 minutes away — which usually means pet sitting clients — I’ll normally suggest you come to me instead. There’s a lovely nature reserve near me, and we can meet there for a walk and a chat, which is a far nicer introduction than a formal doorstep meeting anyway. Your dog gets to meet me somewhere neutral and interesting, and we can talk everything through properly.

Either. Some clients book every week, others just when they’re stuck.

Essex and the surrounding area, travelling from Basildon (SS16 6NB).

Dog walking and drop-in visits are necessarily more local — beyond a certain distance the travelling simply takes longer than the visit itself, which wouldn’t be fair on you or workable for me.

Pet sitting is different, and I’m happy to travel further for it.

If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, just ask.

Dog walking — £15 per hour, plus £5 per hour for each additional dog from the same household. Drop-in visits — £18 per hour. Pet sitting — quoted per job (24-hour charge). Equine care — from £20 per visit, based on an hour.

Travel charges may apply depending on distance, and everything is confirmed with you before you book. No surprises.

They walk together, and it’s £15 for the first dog and £5 for each additional dog from the same household — so two dogs is £20 an hour, three is £25.

Because no two households are the same. Two cats and a goldfish is a very different job to three dogs, a pony and a bearded dragon.

Tell me what you need and I’ll give you a straight price.

That’s the starting point, for an hour’s visit.

If you have more specific requirements — several horses, a longer list of jobs, or holiday cover — do get in touch and I’ll put a proper quote together for you.

Cash on the day, or bank transfer. Invoices should be settled within 7 days.

For pet sitting of more than one night, the invoice is settled on the day of the first night.

There may be a travel charge depending on how far I’m coming. It’s always confirmed with you before you book, so you’ll know the full price up front.

Private, always. Your dogs are never walked with dogs from other households.

If you have more than one, they walk together — they’re a family, after all. What you won’t get is your dog put in with a pack of strangers.

It’s kinder for nervous dogs, safer for reactive ones, and it’s the only way I can properly watch how yours is moving.

Not at all — a private walk is exactly what they need.

Because your dog is never mixed with dogs from other households, we can simply keep our distance and steer clear of any interaction they wouldn’t enjoy. No surprises, no awkward encounters, no being dragged into a group they never asked to join.

Tell me everything when we meet: their triggers, their history, what helps and what doesn’t. I’d far rather hear it from you, and none of it will put me off.

Only if you’ve given me written permission, and only where it’s safe.

If you’d rather your dog stayed on the lead, that’s absolutely fine and it makes no difference to the walk. And even where you have given permission, I’ll keep your dog on the lead if I judge it unsafe on the day — near livestock, near a road, or if they’re unsettled.

I’d always rather be cautious than sorry.

Almost certainly. I own nine Siberian Huskies and compete in dryland sled dog racing, so strong, powerful dogs who’d rather set the pace themselves are very familiar territory.

If you have any concerns, raise them when we meet and I’ll show you how I’d handle your dog.

Your dog’s welfare comes first. In extreme heat, cold or storms, a walk may be shortened or replaced with a home visit and some indoor enrichment instead.

I’ll always let you know what I’ve done and why.

Because for most animals, home is simply kinder.

They keep their own bed, their own routine and their own surroundings. There’s no unsettling car journey, no strange smells, no other animals to contend with. For anxious pets, elderly pets and those on medication, it’s very often the only arrangement that really works.

You’ll have my number, and I’ll keep in touch throughout.

If your animal becomes unwell or injured, I’ll contact you immediately. If I can’t reach you, you’ll have authorised me to seek emergency veterinary treatment on your behalf — using your own vet wherever possible. Veterinary costs remain your responsibility, but the important thing is that your animal is never left waiting while I try to get hold of you.

Before we begin I’ll take your vet’s details and an emergency contact, so there’s never a moment’s delay.

However we agree between us. Keys, a key safe, a code — it’s arranged individually with each client, and we’ll sort it at the meet-and-greet.

Just let me know about any alarms, and about anyone else who might have access while you’re away.

Always — a photo and a few words each time, so you can see how they’ve been rather than sit there wondering.

Rather a lot of them.

Cats, small animals, goats, pigs, chickens, bearded dragons, turtles, peacocks — and, memorably, capuchin monkeys.

If you have something a little out of the ordinary and you’re struggling to find anyone to take it on, please ask. The answer is usually yes.

Yes — tablets, liquids and drops. Just leave clear written instructions and I’ll follow them precisely.

Do tell me about any medication when we first meet, rather than on the day.

It means someone with professional training is watching how your animal moves, every single time.

Animals hide discomfort well. By the time an owner spots a limp, the problem has usually been building for a while. The early signs are quiet ones — hesitating at the car boot, stiff for the first few minutes after a nap, sitting with one leg kicked out.

Those are the things I notice. And if I do, I’ll tell you.

Yes. My pet care work is insured through Protectivity, who specialise in insuring pet care businesses. Certificates are available on request — it’s one of the most common questions in these pet care FAQs.

(My veterinary physiotherapy practice is a separate service, insured separately through BALENS.)

Your slot is held exclusively for you, so I do ask for notice:

If your animal is genuinely ill or injured, I’ll waive the fee — I may just ask for a little evidence.

For pet sitting and holiday cover, longer notice is needed, as those bookings block out whole days. Full details are in my terms.

I’ll take photos and videos so I can send you updates, and I keep them for my own records.

Nothing goes on social media or into any marketing without your written permission. If you’d rather I didn’t use images of your animal at all, just say so — I’ll respect that completely.

Enough food, medication, litter, bedding, poo bags, leads and anything else your animals need for the duration of the booking.

If in doubt, leave a little more than you think. We’ll go through it all at the meet-and-greet.

Still have questions? This pet care FAQs page is updated regularly, but if you can’t find what you need, please get in touch and I’ll be happy to help.