Home › Pet sitters › Meet and greet checklist

Guide · Pet sitters

Pet sitter meet and greet checklist

The meet and greet is a short visit to a new client's home before the first booking. It's where you learn everything you'll need when the owner is unreachable, and where you decide whether the job is a good fit. A checklist keeps it to about 30 minutes and makes sure nothing gets missed.

Before you go

• Confirm the address, parking and how long the visit will take
• Ask the owner to have their vet's details and any medications ready
• Send your service agreement and rates ahead of time so they can read them
• Bring your intake form (paper or on your phone) and a pen
• Bring treats only after asking. Some pets have allergies or strict diets.

The pets (questions 1–10)

1. Name, age, breed and weight of each pet
2. Feeding: what food, how much, what time, and where it's stored
3. Treats allowed? Any foods that are strictly off-limits?
4. Normal potty routine, and any accident history
5. Walk routine: how long, which route, harness or collar, pulling or reactivity
6. Behavior with strangers, other dogs, children and cats
7. Fears and triggers: thunder, doorbells, vacuum, being picked up
8. Escape risk: door dashers, fence gaps, cats that slip outside
9. Where the pet sleeps and hides, and the favourite toy
10. Any history of biting, guarding food or toys, or separation anxiety

Health and the vet (11–17)

11. Vet clinic name, phone and address
12. Nearest 24-hour emergency vet
13. Medications: name, dose, time, how it's given (in food, pill pocket, liquid)
14. Allergies and ongoing conditions
15. Vaccination status (ask for proof if you walk dogs in groups)
16. Signs that are normal for this pet versus signs to call about
17. Written permission to take the pet to the vet, plus a spending limit the owner pre-approves

Number 17 matters more than any other. If a pet is hurt at 9 pm and the owner is on a plane, you need written authorization and a clear budget. Without it, a clinic may not treat the pet, and you may be left with the bill.

The home (18–25)

18. How you'll get in: keys (how many), lockbox code, garage code, smart lock
19. Alarm system: code, how to arm and disarm, who to call if it goes off
20. Rooms that are off-limits, or doors that must stay closed
21. Where supplies are: food, litter, bags, leash, cleaning spray, first-aid kit
22. Thermostat preferences and lights to leave on
23. Mail, packages, plants and trash day
24. Wi-Fi details if you'll send photo updates
25. Who else may come to the house (cleaner, neighbour, family) and whether they're expected

Emergencies and backup (26–28)

26. Owner's mobile number and the best way to reach them while travelling
27. A local emergency contact who has a key and can make decisions
28. What the owner wants if you can't reach anyone: vet first, then call?

Business details (29–30)

29. Dates, visit times and number of visits, confirmed in writing
30. Rates, deposit, payment method, cancellation terms and key return

Things to check with your own eyes

• Meet the pet and watch how it reacts to you, then do a short practice walk if it's a dog
• Test the key or code in the lock while the owner is there
• Check that gates latch and the fence has no gaps
• Note hazards: open stairs, pools, toxic plants, chemicals within reach
• Take a quick photo of where food and meds are kept (with permission)

Red flags worth taking seriously

• The owner won't sign a vet authorization or give an emergency contact
• Vaccination status is vague or the pet hasn't seen a vet in years
• Aggression is downplayed ("he only bites sometimes")
• Pushback on a deposit or cancellation terms before you've started
• Care needs that are beyond your training, such as complex medical care

Saying "I don't think I'm the right fit" at the meet and greet is far easier than handling a bite or an unpaid invoice later.

After the visit

• Send a short recap within 24 hours: dates, visit times, price and anything you agreed.
• File the intake details, vet authorization and key log together.
• On the first real visit, leave a written report so the owner sees what to expect every time.

Frequently asked questions

Should I charge for the meet and greet?

Many sitters include it free for bookings above a certain size, and charge a small fee (often credited to the first booking) for one-off visits. If you charge, say so when you book the meeting.

How long should a meet and greet take?

About 20–40 minutes. Longer than an hour usually means the owner needs a written care sheet, so ask them to fill in your intake form in advance.

Do I need a contract for a single weekend?

Yes. A short service agreement covering dates, price, cancellation, key handling and vet authorization protects both of you, even for one booking. Signing it can be quick. Not having one when something goes wrong is expensive.

What if the pet doesn't warm up to me?

Some pets need a second, shorter visit. For anxious dogs, suggest a practice walk before the first booking. For shy cats, ask where they hide and how they're usually coaxed out for food. If a dog shows real aggression toward you, it's fine to decline the job.

Going further

The Pet Sitter Client Onboarding Pack turns this checklist into printable forms: a client intake form, pet profile, meet and greet checklist, service agreement template, key log and vet authorization.

Disclosure: the templates linked here are made and sold by this site's shop. This isn't legal or veterinary advice; have agreements checked for where you work.