What to Expect From Your First Pet Sitting Visit
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Booking your first pet sitting visit can feel like handing over your house keys to a stranger, even when you know it’s the right call. At Scritches, every new client goes through the same simple process, so nothing about that first visit feels like a surprise.
Before Your First Pet Sitting Visit: The Meet and Greet
Every new client starts with a free meet and greet, not a paid visit. Your sitter comes to your home, meets your pets on their own turf, and walks through your routine with you in person — feeding schedule, medication, favorite hiding spots, and anything that makes your pet unique. This is also when we collect emergency contacts, vet details, and any special instructions, and when you get to ask us anything before committing to a booking.
What Happens During the First Visit
Your first real visit follows the same routine your sitter confirmed at the meet and greet. Expect a text or app update with a photo shortly after the visit, confirming exactly what happened — feeding, potty breaks, medication given, or a walk completed. Sitters arrive within the scheduled window, use the entry method agreed on in advance, and never deviate from your instructions without checking with you first.
How Your Sitter Gets to Know Your Pet
Every pet warms up differently. Nervous cats might not appear for the first visit or two, and that’s expected and noted rather than treated as a problem. Your sitter reads body language, goes at your pet’s pace, and reports honestly on how the pet responded, so you always know the real story rather than a generic update.
What You’ll Hear From Us After Every Visit
You’ll get a visit summary every time, not just for the first one. That means a timestamp, notes on your pet’s mood and appetite, and a photo whenever possible. If anything is even slightly off — from a skipped meal to a limp — you’ll hear about it immediately, not in a end-of-week roundup.
Signs You’ve Found the Right Pet Sitter
A good first visit should feel almost uneventful: your pet is calm, your home is exactly as you left it, and the update you receive matches what actually happened. If you want a deeper look at how we vet and train every sitter, our service guarantee covers exactly what’s promised on every visit, and our FAQ page answers the other questions new clients ask most.
For more general guidance on preparing your pet and your home for a new caregiver, the ASPCA’s pet care resources are a solid outside reference alongside everything your sitter covers at the meet and greet.
Ready to book your own meet and greet? Visit our services page to see what’s included, or reach out and we’ll get one scheduled.
