Sit Stay Explore, Wellington (2025)

08/04/2025

Here's the Link for the Booked Solid micro training: https://youtu.be/rMgTl9_QTQU

The download companion workbook can be found via www.sitstayexplore.com/bookedsolid

24/03/2025

📅 Coming Soon!
💡 Free Mini-Course Launching This Week

👀 Sneak peek time!
Booked Solid is almost here — a FREE mini-course in 3 kibble-sized bites to help you become the pet sitter homeowners trust, book & refer.

If you're ready to:
🐾 Land more sits with confidence
🐾 Build trust before you’ve even had a video call
🐾 Send applications that get real replies, not ghosted
🐾 Show up like the sitter they hope says yes...
You’re going to love what’s coming.

🎯 Want first access when it drops?
👉 Tap the Follow button at the top of this page
Then tap the bell icon 🔔 and turn on Notifications for Posts
That way, you'll be the first to know when Booked Solid goes live💼🐶🐾

22/03/2025

Backup Planning for Pet Sitters
🚦When Should You Actually Use Your Backup Sitter?

You’ve got a backup sitter lined up (or at least you should by now 😉)...
But how do you know when to actually activate your plan?

Let’s talk about the moments when handing over makes sense — and when it doesn’t.

🔸 Everyday Stuff You Can Usually Work Through:

Not every curveball means calling for help. Most of us can handle:

• A missed bus or traffic delay
• A minor headache or tired day
• A nervous pet who just needs time to settle

These don’t require a full handover — just good communication and staying calm.

🔸 When It’s Time to Call in Backup:

Here’s where it’s worth handing over so pets still get the care they deserve:

✅ You’ve got food poisoning, a bad flu, or anything that puts the pet’s care at risk
✅ Your transport fails and you can’t physically get to the property
✅ You get a call that a loved one needs you urgently
✅ A pet becomes unsafe or seriously distressed (beyond your training)

If your presence becomes unreliable — that’s your sign.

🔸 When It’s Bigger Than a Backup:

Sometimes it’s not about handing over — it’s about leaving safely.

If there’s a flood, fire risk, or major power outage in extreme weather,
👉 You and the pets need to leave the property, not swap sitters.

Your backup plan here isn’t another sitter — it’s knowing where you’d go and how you’d contact the owner fast.

🧭 Tip: You don’t need to go overboard with the homeowner. A simple, “If anything unexpected came up, I’d keep you posted and have a solid plan,” shows them you’re on top of things — without sounding dramatic.

💬 Ever had a situation where you weren’t sure if it was an emergency?
Let’s chat about how to make that call in real life 👇

21/03/2025

Backup Planning for Pet Sitters
💼 Compensation Matters: What Backup Sitters Should Be Paid (and When)

Following on from Thursday’s post about emergency plans — let’s talk about something just as important: money. 🐾💰

Whether your sit is a paid gig or a free exchange, backup sitter compensation needs to be sorted before there’s ever an emergency.

Here’s what to cover depending on the type of sit:

🔵 If You’re Doing a FREE Exchange Sit...

You aren’t responsible for figuring out the backup sitter’s pay — but you can help things run smoothly by prompting the homeowner early on:

✅ Ask if their backup sitter is a friend doing it for free or someone expecting payment
✅ Clarify who will pay for the backup’s travel, food, or any extras
✅ If money might be involved, ask what rate applies
✅ Suggest they write it all down before you even begin the sit — just in case

📝 Pro tip: Having these chats before an emergency saves a world of stress later.

🔴 If You’re on a PAID Sit...

This is where you need solid terms in your contract from the start. Be crystal clear about:

✅ Whether you offer a refund if the sit is cut short
✅ If you’ll help find a replacement — and whether you're paid for that
✅ Who covers the backup sitter's fee
✅ How and when the payment transfers to them

🔑 The golden rule: Sort the money talk in your first conversation — not in the middle of a pet emergency.

💬 Have you ever included a backup sitter clause in your agreements? What worked for you — or didn’t?

Drop your tips or questions below 👇

20/03/2025

📋 Emergency Backup Plan for House Sitting: A Professional Approach 🏠🐾

Why Having a Backup Plan Matters: A Personal Experience
During a two-week house sit, I received an urgent call from my sister. My elderly mother needed emergency surgery, and the doctors weren't optimistic. My sisters urged me to come home immediately.
Fortunately, I had prepared for this possibility. During my initial meeting with the homeowners, I'd mentioned my mother had been experiencing health issues. Together, we identified a neighbor as a backup sitter. The neighbor, Jane, already had a key, knew the pets, and was familiar with the home.
When the emergency happened, I contacted the homeowners, who were traveling internationally, and called Jane. I prepared a detailed handover document covering all pet care routines and schedules. Jane arrived quickly to review everything in person.
Though I had to cut the sit short by a week, the transition was smooth. The homeowners were understanding and appreciated that we had a plan in place. I was able to focus on my family emergency without worrying about letting anyone down.
This experience confirmed how vital it is to establish backup arrangements for every sit. Emergencies don't announce themselves in advance, and having that safety net is simply part of professional house sitting.

🗣️ How to Discuss Backup Plans with Clients
When meeting with potential clients, introduce the backup plan concept naturally:

"One aspect of professional pet sitting I always discuss is having a designated backup person. While I don't anticipate any issues and am fully committed to completing your sit, having a contingency plan is part of responsible pet care. Could you identify someone local—perhaps a friend, family member, or neighbor—who would be willing to step in if an unexpected emergency arose?"

✅ Key Points to Emphasize:
1️⃣ This is standard professional practice, not specific concern about their sit
2️⃣ The backup is unlikely to be needed but essential to have
3️⃣ The backup person should be someone the pets are already familiar with
4️⃣ Clear guidelines about the backup's decision-making authority should be established
5️⃣ This protects both the pets and the homeowner's peace of mind
📝EMERGENCY BACKUP CONTACT INFORMATION

Primary Backup Person:
Name: _______________________________
Relationship to owner: ________________
Phone: ______________________________
Email: ______________________________
Has house key: □ Yes □ No
Has alarm code: □ Yes □ No
Has met pets: □ Yes □ No
Lives locally: □ Yes □ No

🤝 Best Practices for Professional Sitters
🔸 Discuss backup plans BEFORE the sit begins
🔸 Meet the backup person if practical
🔸 Document your daily routine in detail (for handover)
🔸 Know when to activate the backup plan
🔸 Maintain professional communication even in difficult circumstances.

*Remember: Having a solid backup plan shows your professionalism and provides peace of mind to everyone involved! ❤️

07/02/2025

🐱 Important conversation: Did you know that 80% of outdoor cats actively hunt other animals? While our feline friends are amazing companions, their impact on local wildlife is something every responsible pet parent should consider.

This eye-opening piece from ABC raises important questions about outdoor cat safety - both for our pets and the environment. What are your thoughts on indoor vs outdoor cats?

🏠

29/01/2025

As an animal communicator and behavior specialist, I often see posts from concerned pet parents who are struggling to connect with their new companions. This week, I was moved to respond to someone who recently adopted a senior cat and was feeling discouraged because their new friend was keeping her distance and hiding.

The post showed a beautiful black and white cat (original post and photo attached here), and Heather, the adopter, was wondering if maybe the cat just 'didn't like them.' This is something I hear often, and it inspired me to share some important perspectives about how we talk about and interpret our cats' behaviors. (BTW: I've been in touch with Heather, and she is a motivated and loving cat parent, so my comments here are not intended to reflect badly on her but rather support others experiencing similar things.)

🐱 A Gentle Reminder About Respecting Our Feline Friends

When we adopt cats, especially seniors, it's important to remember they're individuals with their own personalities, preferences, and past experiences. Sometimes we unknowingly project our expectations onto them, using language like 'she doesn't like me' or 'she's being difficult' when they're simply communicating their needs in the only way they know how.

If a cat is hiding or keeping distance, they're not being 'unfriendly' - they're telling us something important about their comfort level. Every cat moves at their own pace, and forcing interaction can damage trust. Some cats may never be lap cats or cuddle bugs, and that's perfectly okay! They show love in their own unique ways.

Instead of saying a cat 'wants nothing to do with us,' let's shift our perspective to 'this cat is teaching me about their boundaries.' Remember - a cat who feels respected and safe will show us who they are in their own time. Sometimes the greatest act of love is simply giving them the space to be themselves.

💙 Let's celebrate our cats for who they are, not who we wish them to be. Their independence isn't rejection - it's just part of their beautiful, authentic nature.

I'd love to hear some of your stories of how you built trust with your cat companion.

25/01/2025

One of the great things about pet sitting is that you get to live your life in a community where the normal things for them (and their pets) are actually fabulous for you (the sitter). I'm in Kingston, New Zealand, and right past my house cruised the famous Kingston Flyer steam train. So cool! I love my life!
Bennie my beautiful charge, was like: "Train... Mehh... Throw my ball please!"

18/01/2025

🐱 Fun Fact: When we think our cats are being deliberately crafty about getting to high places, there's actually some fascinating science behind it!

Cats have an innate evolutionary drive to seek elevated positions - it's not just them being stubborn! This behavior, called "vertical territory expansion," serves multiple purposes:

1. Predator instinct: High vantage points give cats a tactical advantage for observing their environment, a trait inherited from their wild ancestors
2. Security: Elevated positions provide a sense of safety and control
3. Physical capability: A cat's muscular hind legs can help them jump up to 6 times their length, making those "out of reach" spots actually quite accessible

So when we think we've outsmarted our feline friends by putting things "out of reach," we're really just activating their natural instincts and abilities!

(Love the giraffe-cat photoshop though - perfectly captures that determined look our cats get! 😄)

17/01/2025

🐕 Dog Park Reality Check

Ever wonder why dogs insist on making intense eye contact while doing their business? This comic perfectly captures what every pet sitter knows all too well!

The dog-to-human stare is actually a sign of vulnerability and trust - they're looking to their trusted humans for security while in a compromised position. Though I'm sure sometimes they're just trying to make things awkward! 😂

Tag a pet sitter who knows *exactly* what I'm talking about!

"

15/01/2025

🐾 During a recent meet-and-greet with a lovely couple, Geoff and Teresa, I witnessed a beautiful moment between Teresa and their cavoodle Freddy.

As a pet professional with a special interest in companion breeds and their communication, I was struck by their shared gaze - warm, connected, and full of mutual understanding. This inspired me to share some fascinating science about our dogs' ability to connect through eye contact!

Did you know your furry best friend has literally evolved to melt your heart? 🧬 Dogs have developed special eye muscles during their journey from wolves to pets, letting them give us those irresistible "puppy dog eyes" that we can't say no to! It's not just cute - it's evolutionary brilliance! While wolves maintain their wild, intense gaze, our domestic dogs have mastered the art of emotional expression through their eyes. This adaptation helped create the incredible human-dog bond we cherish today.

🔬 Fun fact: This muscle development is one of the clearest examples of how dogs have physically evolved to better communicate with humans! Pretty pawsome, right?

💫 Whether you're a pet sitter or pet parent, understanding these unique traits helps us provide better care and build stronger bonds with our four-legged friends!

✨ Want to learn more fascinating facts about pet sitting perfection? Check out our free resources at Sit Stay Explore! 🎓🐕

05/01/2025

🐱 THE ULTIMATE PET SITTER'S GUIDE TO CAT MOODS 🐱

1. INTERESTED
When the cat's tail is up and they're alert: This is great! The cat is curious about you. Stay calm, move slowly, and let them approach you. Don't force interaction.

2. FRIENDLY (Tail up)
Success! They're greeting you warmly. Offer your hand at their level to sniff and respond if they rub against you. This is a perfect time for gentle pets.

3. ATTENTIVE
They're focused on you, sitting upright and alert. Perfect time to talk softly and proceed with regular care duties. They're monitoring but comfortable.

4. RELAXED SATISFIED
Lying down, stretched out: Jackpot! The cat feels safe with you. Don't disturb this state - it's precious! Just continue your tasks quietly.

5. THIS IS MINE
They're claiming territory. Respect their space! Don't try to move their favorite toys/blankets. Work around their claimed spots.

6. FRIENDLY (Sitting)
Another welcoming pose. Great time for socialization, but still let them lead the interaction. Gentle head scratches if they initiate.

7. CAUTIOUS
Mixed signals - they're unsure. Give them extra space, avoid direct eye contact, and move predictably. Use treats to build trust from a distance.

8. TRUSTING
Showing their belly: Do NOT rub it (usually)! This shows they feel safe but isn't an invitation for belly rubs. Just acknowledge with a soft voice.

9. LET'S PLAY/GOOD TO SEE YOU
They want interaction! Get out the approved toys listed by the owner. Perfect time for scheduled play sessions. Keep hands away from direct contact.

10. WORRIED
Notice the compact posture. Give them lots of space, ensure they have access to their safe spots. Keep noise and movement minimal.

11. ANXIOUS
Similar to worried but more intense. Check their food/water/litter are easily accessible without them having to venture far from their safe space.

12. IRRITATED
Clear warning sign! Back off immediately, give space. Leave them alone for at least 30 minutes before attempting necessary care tasks.

13. FRIGHTENED
Emergency mode: No direct interaction! Keep very quiet, move slowly if needed. Note this in your update to the owners. Ensure they have a hiding spot.

14. SUPER TERRIFIED
Red alert! Hair raised. Do not approach at all. If you need to provide essential care, wait several hours. Contact owners if this persists.

15. FOCUS
They're in hunting mode. Keep small objects away, watch your ankles! Redirect with toys if needed. Don't interrupt their concentration.

16. HUNTING
Active predator mode. Keep your distance, ensure they stay indoor if required. Provide appropriate toys to channel this energy safely.

🔑 KEY TIPS:
- Always respect their space
- Never force interaction
- Keep their routine exactly as owners specified
- Document any concerning moods
- When in doubt, give them space and time

Remember: A successful pet sitting experience is when the cat feels their territory and routine remained unchanged! 🏠😺

Sit Stay Explore

08/04/2025

24/03/2025

22/03/2025

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20/03/2025

07/02/2025

29/01/2025

25/01/2025

18/01/2025

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05/01/2025

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