A meet-and-greet is an important part of taking on a new pet-sitting client. It gives you the opportunity to meet the owner, understand the pet’s needs and decide whether the booking is suitable for your business.
It also gives the client a chance to ask questions and understand how you work before care begins.
A professional pet-sitting meet-and-greet should cover the pet’s routine, behaviour, health and care needs, the owner’s expectations, access arrangements and emergency contacts. It is also an opportunity to explain your service and decide whether the booking is right for both you and the client.
A meet-and-greet gives you information that may not be clear from an initial phone call or online enquiry.
You can learn about the pet's normal routine, personality and individual needs while also understanding exactly what the owner expects from your service.
For example, an owner may tell you that their dog is friendly, but meeting the dog in person gives you an opportunity to understand how they respond to a new person. Similarly, a client may not initially mention that their pet needs medication, becomes anxious when left alone or has particular behavioural triggers.
The meeting is also your opportunity to explain your service clearly. Discussing what you can and cannot provide before accepting the booking can help prevent misunderstandings later.
Most importantly, a meet-and-greet works both ways. You need to decide whether the booking is suitable for you as well as whether the client feels comfortable choosing you.
Before the meeting, review the information the client has already provided and make a note of anything you need to clarify.
It helps to have a standard set of questions ready, but the conversation should still feel natural rather than like an interview.
You should also be clear about your own:
Having these details established before meeting a potential client makes it easier to explain your service consistently and confidently.
The main purpose of the meet-and-greet is to understand the pet you will be caring for.
Give the owner time to explain the pet's normal routine, personality and individual needs. You should also observe the pet without expecting every animal to react enthusiastically to a new person. Some pets may be immediately friendly, while others may be nervous or cautious.
Ask about:
Don't rely on assumptions about what is normal. One client's expectations about exercise, feeding or daily care may be very different from another's.
Find out whether the pet has:
If medication is required, make sure you understand what the owner expects you to do and whether you are comfortable providing it.
It is also important to establish what the owner wants you to do if the pet becomes unwell or injured while in your care. Find out which veterinary practice they normally use and who should be contacted if the owner is unavailable.
Ask about situations that may cause the pet to become anxious, defensive, excitable or difficult to manage.
This might include:
You should also ask whether there have been any previous incidents involving biting, escaping, aggression or other behaviour that could affect how the pet needs to be managed.
The purpose is not to judge the pet. It is to make sure you have an honest understanding of what caring for the animal will involve.
Once you understand the pet's needs, discuss how the service will work in practice.
If you are visiting the client's home, establish:
If you provide house sitting, make sure both sides understand what is included in the service and what is not.
For home dog boarding, discuss the arrangements at your own premises, including sleeping areas, routines, interactions with other pets and any separation arrangements that may be necessary.
Before accepting the booking, make sure you know what to do if something unexpected happens.
Clarify:
You don't need to make the conversation unnecessarily alarming. The aim is simply to have a clear plan before you are responsible for the pet.
Once the meet-and-greet is finished, take a few moments to review the information you have gathered before confirming the booking. Make sure you are comfortable with the pet’s needs, the owner’s expectations and the practical arrangements involved.
If you decide to accept the booking, confirm the agreed dates, services and any important care instructions with the client. Keeping communication clear from the beginning can help create a positive working relationship and provide a strong foundation for building long-term client relationships as a pet sitter or dog walker.
If you have concerns about the booking, it is better to raise them before agreeing to provide care rather than discovering a problem once the booking has started.
A meet-and-greet can generate a lot of useful information, so don't rely entirely on memory.
Important details should be recorded using appropriate client and pet information forms or agreements.
NarpsUK members can access pet sitting and dog walking forms and contracts to help structure the administrative side of running a professional pet-care business.
Depending on the service, the information you record may include:
The exact information you need will depend on your service and business processes.
Not every enquiry will be the right fit for your business.
A meet-and-greet may reveal that:
It is better to decline a booking professionally than accept responsibility for an arrangement you are not equipped to manage.
If you decide that the booking isn't suitable, thank the owner for meeting with you and explain that you don't believe your service is the right fit for their requirements.
Once the meeting is over, review the information while it is still fresh in your mind.
Ask yourself:
If you decide to proceed, confirm the agreed service and make sure the necessary client information and documentation are completed before the booking begins.
NarpsUK also provides pet sitting and dog walking information sheets to support members with the practical side of running a pet-care business.
As your business grows, having a repeatable process can help you avoid overlooking important information.
A simple approach is:
Before the meeting: Review the enquiry and prepare your questions.
During the meeting: Discuss the pet's routine, health, behaviour and care requirements.
Clarify the service: Explain what you provide, your expectations and any relevant terms.
Assess suitability: Consider whether the booking is appropriate for you, the client and the pet.
Record the details: Document important information and agreed arrangements.
Follow up: Confirm the next step with the client.
You don't need to make every meet-and-greet identical, but a consistent process can make client onboarding more organised and professional.
A successful pet-sitting relationship starts before the first visit.
A well-conducted meet-and-greet gives you the opportunity to understand the pet, establish the client's expectations, identify potential issues and decide whether the booking is right for your business. It also gives the owner confidence that you are taking their pet's care seriously.
The goal isn't to ask as many questions as possible. It is to have the right conversation before you take responsibility for someone else's pet.
By preparing properly, listening carefully and documenting important information, you can make the transition from initial enquiry to confirmed booking more organised and professional.
Ask about the pet's daily routine, feeding, exercise, behaviour, health, medication and any special care requirements. You should also discuss emergency contacts, access arrangements and what the owner expects from your service.
There is no single correct length. Allow enough time to understand the pet's needs, discuss the service and answer the owner's questions without rushing the conversation.
A meet-and-greet is a useful way to understand the pet and the client's requirements before accepting a booking. It also gives you an opportunity to decide whether you are comfortable providing the requested care.
Give the pet space and avoid forcing an interaction. Ask the owner about the pet's normal behaviour around unfamiliar people and consider whether you have the experience and arrangements needed to care for them comfortably.
Yes. If the pet's needs, behaviour, requested service or other circumstances fall outside what you can safely or professionally provide, it may be better to decline the booking.
Preparing for a home dog boarding inspection? Learn what to expect and how to prepare your premises, paperwork, hygiene procedures, emergency arrangements and daily care practices for a successful ins...
A practical guide to what professional pet sitters should do after a booking is confirmed, including client details, pet care instructions, forms, access and final checks....
Learn how a pet sitting app can help you keep track of multiple clients, pets, care instructions and important information as your pet care business grows....