The importance of a meet and greet

If you have never looked after a pet before, we always recommend scheduling a meet and greet first. This way, you get to know both the pet and the owner, ensuring it’s a good match. It helps both parties feel comfortable and allows for the exchange of all important information. Additionally, this prevents situations where you might discover during the stay that the pet is not at ease – or vice versa – and the pet sitting has to be cut short. As a reminder, you should avoid cancellations as much as possible, as this can be very inconvenient for the owner and also impacts the visibility of your sitter profile.

What is a Meet and Greet?

A meet and greet is a personal meeting between the owner and the sitter, where they get to know each other and discuss all the important details about the pet’s care. This helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures the sitter is a good fit for the pet. This meeting is always non-binding. Once you are confident that everything is in order, the booking can be completed through our platform. Payments are processed safely and conveniently through our system. Once the owner has made the payment, the booking is considered confirmed.

Examples of a successful meet and greet

• Scheduling: Both parties agree on a suitable date and location for the meeting, preferably at the sitter’s or owner’s home or at a neutral place.
• Creating a checklist: The owner notes all important information about the pet (e.g., feeding times, medication needs, favorite toys) in the pet’s profile.
• Preparing questions: The sitter prepares questions to learn more about the pet’s needs and personality.

How the meet and greet should proceed

1. Introductions: Both parties introduce themselves and provide a brief overview of their experience with pets.
2. Meeting the pet: The owner introduces the pet and gives the sitter the opportunity to become familiar with the animal.
3. Information exchange: The owner shares all relevant details about the pet, including feeding times, habits, health status, and emergency contacts.
4. Tour for house sitters or daycare/boarding: The owner shows the sitter the key areas of the home, such as feeding spots, sleeping areas, and the pet’s favorite play locations, or vice versa.
5. Answering questions: Both parties discuss any remaining questions and set expectations for the care.

Important questions and topics

• Feeding times and amounts: When and how often does the pet need to be fed? Are there any specific food preferences or intolerances?
• Medication: Does the pet need medication? If so, how and when should it be administered?
• Walks and playtime: How often and for how long does the pet need to be walked? Are there specific playtimes or favorite toys?
• Behavior and socialization: How does the pet behave around other animals and people? Are there any behavioral traits the sitter should be aware of?
• Emergency contacts: Who should be contacted in case of an emergency? Is there a preferred veterinary clinic nearby?

A successful meet and greet builds trust and lays the foundation for a successful and harmonious collaboration between the owner and the pet sitter.