Making your time away stress-free for you and your pets.
Whether you’re heading off on a weekend getaway or a well-deserved holiday, knowing your pets are being cared for in their own home brings peace of mind. At SitStay, we offer professional, in-home pet sitting throughout South Auckland, helping your pets feel safe, loved, and relaxed while you’re away.
To help things go smoothly, here’s a helpful guide on how to prepare for your pet sitter so they can give your pets the best care possible.
What to Leave Out for Your Pet Sitter
When preparing your home, it’s the little things that make a big difference. Here’s what to have ready:
- Pet food and treats – Enough for the duration of your time away, including any feeding instructions or dietary notes.
- Food and water bowls – Clean and placed where you’d like them to stay.
- Leads, harnesses, and toys – For dogs or cats who enjoy a bit of enrichment or a walk.
- Litter, poo bags, or cleaning supplies – For tidy and hygienic care.
- Tea towels or cleaning cloths – Accidents happen, and it’s handy to have your preferred cloths on hand.
- Bin liners – So we can responsibly dispose of pet waste and used litter.
- Towels – In case of rainy-day walks or muddy paws.
Having these ready in one central spot makes our job easier—and ensures your pet’s routine is uninterrupted.
Important Details to Share
Clear communication makes all the difference in at-home pet care. Before your booking, we’ll ask you to complete a simple routine form, but here are some extra details to leave visible in your home:
- Emergency contact – A friend or family member we can reach if you’re unavailable.
- Veterinary contact info – Including your preferred vet clinic and pet’s account name.
- Where to find carriers or crates – In case emergency transport is ever needed.
- Daily routine reminders – Feeding times, walks, curfews, hiding spots, or medications.
You might like to leave a quick “cheat sheet” or fridge note with this information—even though we already save your instructions in our secure system.
Make Sure Your Service Agreement Is Signed
Before every booking, SitStay provides a service agreement outlining what’s included, expectations, and emergency protocols. Ensuring this is signed before we visit means we can fully focus on your pets during our stay.
It also helps clarify any boundaries (like whether your dog is allowed on the couch!) and ensures you’re comfortable with how we care for your pets.
👉 Read more about what’s included in our in-home pet sitting services.
Final Tips for a Smooth Sit
Here are a few final ways to set everyone up for success:
- Let your neighbours know a pet sitter will be visiting.
- Share gate codes, spare key instructions, or alarm details ahead of time.
- Update us if there are new routines, medications, or recent changes in your pet’s behaviour.
We’ll always confirm your preferences, but a quick recap at the start of each stay helps us deliver the kind of care your pets deserve.
We’re Here to Make Things Easy
At SitStay, we know how much your pets mean to you—and that leaving them behind can be hard. That’s why we focus on gentle, reliable, in-home pet care, keeping things as close to their usual routine as possible.
You’ll receive regular updates (photos, videos, and check-ins) based on your preferences, so you can relax knowing they’re happy, comfortable, and safe.
Ready to book?
Contact us to check availability or learn more about our pet sitting services. We’re always happy to answer any questions and help you feel fully prepared.