Answers to Common Cat Sitting Questions

Your cats and your schedule are our priority. We aren't fitting you in between dog visits. This isn’t a hobby or a favor, and we won’t cancel on you at the last minute. Our team are trained in cat behavior and professional standards of pet sitting as recognized by Pet Sitter International. The Ocala Pet Sitting team are skilled at noticing the little things that matter to your pet's health and your home’s safety. A professional cat sitter is insured and bonded and of course, has a love of pets, but a professional also holds themselves to a much higher bar of accountability than your average hobby sitter. Ocala Pet Sitting upholds the highest standards in the industry as described on Pet Sitter International's website here: PSI's Global Standards

At Ocala Pet Sitting, our specialty is caring for cats. We also have expertise caring for birds, parrots, and a wide range of small critters, including gerbils, guinea pigs, sugar gliders, reptiles, chameleons, turtles, snakes, and fish and pond care.We no longer offer dog sitting, dog walking, puppy sitting, or puppy care.

Our reputation and your trust mean everything to us. Every Ocala Pet Sitting is an employee and not an independent contractor, which means they’re covered by workers’ compensation insurance and fully supported by our company.Each cat sitter goes through a detailed, multi-step screening process that includes local and national background checks, multi-tiered interviews, and an intensive training program with shadow visits before becoming a full-fledged OPS sitter.Our training includes strict security protocols for locking and double-checking all doors and latches before we leave. As part of our commitment to transparency and peace of mind, photo proof is provided to clients after every visit. And for an extra layer of protection, all OPS sitters are bonded and insured.

Yes, the New Client Consultation is a required step in our onboarding process. This meeting is essential for us to:Meet your cats and evaluate their behavior and environment.Discuss their specific needs and create a customized care plan.Address any questions or special instructions to ensure a seamless experience.Because we take the time to thoroughly prepare for each new client, we typically like to have 7-14 days to schedule your onboarding (More if you're looking for a holiday booking). This ensures we can provide the attention and care your cats deserve from the very start.

The New Client Consultation is an essential step in providing the best possible care for your pets. During this meeting, we: Evaluate your pet’s behavior and environment to understand their unique needs.Develop a personalized care plan tailored to ensure your pets are happy and comfortable.Address any specific concerns or special requests you may have to create a seamless experience. This consultation sets the foundation for a trusting relationship, giving us the insight needed to deliver exceptional, customized care for your furry family.

We operate as a team and our process is to assign a primary and secondary sitter for your pet's care. Your assigned sitter's name is on every visit on your schedule and you can be assured every member of our small team is trained on the details of your pet's care. Due to a variety of reasons, staff may be off work on any given day and we may send in a different sitter. We try our best to keep sitters consistent for our clients, especially the more shy and timid personalities. Often, the most outgoing pets actually enjoy the larger variety a team can provide. We understand a team model isn't for every household, but for us, it provides an extra level of security having a team member available as a backup.

At OPS, We Use Coded Locks, Lockboxes and Require Multiple Entry Methods. Why? At Ocala Pet Sitting, reliable home access is essential for ensuring your pets receive the care they deserve. Our policy is designed to make entry secure, seamless, and stress-free for both you and our team. We prefer to have two methods of entry for every home, which can include: Door codes, garage door codes, or other digital entry methods. A lockbox securely holding a key on-site if you do not have multiple coded doors. While digital methods are convenient, they can sometimes malfunction. That’s why we recommend having a lockbox as a backup option. You’re welcome to provide your own or purchase one from us for $30. The lockbox will be yours to keep, and you can change the code at any time for added security. Additionally, we require a backup key to be securely stored at our office. This ensures that in the event of an emergency, such as a lock malfunction or lost code, we can access your home quickly to care for your pets. For more details on how our home access system works, visit our Home Access page.

Because we work as a team and schedules may change within the team, it is not feasible to facilitate a meeting between you and every caregiver prior to granting them access to your residence. We assign a primary and secondary pet sitter to every client, matching you with the best sitters for your pet's care, but schedules can change and a visit may be switched to another competent team member while you're already out of town. Rest assured that our team members undergo considerable training to look after your pets and management is monitoring your journals and doing spot checks. In addition, we conduct comprehensive background checks on each employee during the hiring process to ensure the safety of both you and our company. Moreover, Ocala Pet Sitting is bonded and insured and our sitters are full employees, not independent contractors. Therefore, you can be confident that only dependable, reliable, and morally upright staff members will have access to your home. Building trust with you is important to us and Shannon does not hire anyone she wouldn't trust with her own pets' care. You will have a chance to meet with Shannon or a Team Lead at the consultation and determine if we are a business you can trust. Read our reviews and see what other first time clients have said about their experience with us.

If you're a client who wants a Premium experience with our owner, Shannon, please contact us directly to discuss the details. Shannon@ocalapetsitting.com 352-354-2602