This week we were delighted to catch up with Kate and Michael from Pet Sitters Ireland for a Q&A. We were blown away by their professional approach, their love of animals and how many great services they have to offer.

Pet Sitters Ireland was founded in 2010 by Kate and Michael McQuillan. They provide a Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Service to 1000’s of customers all over Ireland. They are the Winner of the ‘One to Watch Franchise of the Year’ in 2019 and 2020 ‘Best In Home Pet Care’.

What inspired you to start your business?

We started Pet Sitters Ireland to solve our own problem of what to do with our pets when we went away. Our cat and dog, at the time, hated going into kennels. And I hated leaving them there. I felt bad ‘abandoning’ them in a place that wasn’t familiar to them and wasn’t their normal place to be.

And so, when I thought about starting a Pet Sitting Business, I just knew that there would be other people just like me who felt the same – that wanted a more personal service for their pets that more closely matched what they were used to.

What services do you offer to pet owners?

We offer Pet Sitting services for all types of pets. Your pets stay at home and we visit your home throughout the day to care for them, feed them, walk them if required and keep an eye on your home. We also have some boarding and house-sitting options for those people who would prefer more 1 to 1 continual care for their pets. And we provide a Dog Walking service for people who either work during the day or are just finding it hard to get their dog out for as many walks as they would like.

How do you ensure the safety and well-being of the pets under your care?

Our job is to mirror what you do with your pets and keep them safe. So, if your cat needs to stay indoors, we make sure there is no way for them to escape. If we are walking your dog, we don’t let them off the lead – so there is no chance they can run off. And during our visits we keep you updated with any changes to your pet’s health – so we would keep an eye on their mood, feeding, pooping etc. Any signs of change then we would notify you and if required organise vet visits.

How do you handle emergencies or unexpected situations while pet sitting?

We always have backup options in place in case a Pet Sitter gets sick or can’t attend a visit for whatever reason. And I think that’s what sets us apart from some services – is that you aren’t just relying on one person, there is always someone checking on services that is there to step in if need be.

What is your approach to providing personalised care for each pet?

When you sign up for our services you are required to fill out a profile for each of your pets. And what this means is that we have detailed notes about the care you require for each of your pets. So, if they have different feeding routines, or they have medication, we know all about those. Everything is stored digitally, and you can update your requirements at any time.

How do you keep pet owners updated about their pets’ activities and well-being while they are away?

After every visit the Pet Owner receives a pet care journal emailed to them. This includes updates on what happened during the visit and most importantly lots of cute pictures of their pets. And, of course, if they want to talk to us at any stage we are just at the end of a phone.

What is your policy on handling anxious pets?
With anxious pets we spend time getting to know them and don’t rush the introduction process. If a pet is particularly anxious around new people, we would do a few visits prior to the owner going away just to make sure everything is fine before we take over care. 

Do you offer additional services?

We have an amazing Wedding Chaperone service where we can bring your dog to your wedding. This could be as simple as having them in the photos or maybe you want them more involved in ceremony itself. For example, they could be the ring bearer. The service consists of travel to and from the wedding, supervision during the wedding and any other things like taking them to the groomers. We can also arrange pet care after the wedding and/or during the honeymoon.

To find out more about Pet Sitters Ireland visit www.PetSittersIreland.ie

Or call Freephone 1800 303010 or 087 7453847