Letting someone else care for your pets and enter your home is a big decision. I know how much it matters that you feel reassured - not just once, but every time I visit.
That’s why I take a thoughtful, layered approach to safety. There’s no one-size-fits-all checklist, but there are things I always do to make sure your pets, your home, and yes, even myself, stay safe and well.
Here’s how I do it.
Keeping Your Pets Safe
Every pet I care for is different, but safety is always the starting point. That means:
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Fully insured, DBS-checked, and pet first aid trained – the essentials you should be able to expect from any professional. You can find my certificates on my About page.
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Pre-visit meet & greets – to get to know your pets properly, understand their routines, and discuss any quirks, triggers, or care needs. Whether it’s a dog who’s nervous around traffic, or a rabbit who has a special diet, I tailor my care to suit. It's important you get to meet me and ask me any questions too.
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GPS-tracked dog walks – when requested, I can provide walk routes via GPS tracking app "Map My Walk", so you can see where we’ve been, how far, and when.
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No group walks with other households – just one-on-one time with dogs that know each other well, which means undivided attention.
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Harness checks and double leads – I always make sure equipment is safe, secure and comfortable. I carry a spare short lead, plus a slip lead just in case any of the provided equipment fails. If I have any concerns, I’ll let you know right away.
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Safe handling and transportation – I never let dogs off-lead unless we’ve discussed it, it’s in a secure area, and I have your written consent. If I transport your pet (again, with written consent), they’ll always be crated or safely harnessed, in line with UK pet travel laws.
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Emergency backup plans – I carry a basic first aid kit with me, and I always have your vet’s details on file, along with a trusted emergency contact if you’re away.
I also send regular updates - because you deserve to know your pets are not just safe, but happy. Whether it’s a sleepy photo of your cat curled up after playtime or a silly video of your dog mid-zoomie, I want you to feel peace of mind.
Keeping Your Home Safe
When I enter your home, I treat it with the same care and respect as I would my own. I know it's not just about feeding pets - it's about keeping your whole space secure and undisturbed.
Here’s how I do that:
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Unbranded clothing and vehicles – I don’t advertise my services while visiting your home. This keeps things discreet and avoids drawing attention to your property while you're away.
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Smart key handling – keys are never labelled with your address, and I store them securely when not in use. If you prefer, I can also use a lockbox or key safe kept at your property.
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Check-in and check-out logs – I log arrival and departure times so you know exactly when I was there, and can track visits while you're away.
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Routine home care – if you're on holiday, I can bring in post, water plants, rotate lights or curtains, and put out bins. These small touches can make your home look lived-in and secure. Just let me know!
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Careful with access points – every visit ends with me checking windows, gates, and doors. No shortcuts. No assumptions. Just thoroughness, every time.
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Respectful presence – I clean up after myself, stick to agreed rooms, and never use anything in your home unless previously discussed. It’s your space - I’m just a quiet, respectful guest.
Keeping Myself Safe
It’s not always something people think about, but keeping myself safe is part of being a responsible carer. If something happened to me mid-walk or overnight, it would affect the pets, too. So here’s what I do:
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Always let someone know where I am – I have a check-in buddy (usually my mum!) who knows my schedule for the day, especially if I’m doing home visits or overnight stays. As I'm a lone worker, my mum also has me on Apple's "Find My" app. It’s a safety backup in case of emergencies.
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Safety check protocols – if something seems off when I arrive (like a front door being ajar or unusual activity), I won’t enter without contacting you first. Likewise, if there's the possibility someone else will be at your home during the times when I'll be visiting - please do let me know beforehand. Even if it's the window cleaner!
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Boundaries around hours and fatigue – I plan my days carefully to avoid burnout or rushing. Every pet deserves my full attention, not a stressed or overtired version of me.
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Respecting behaviour signals – I’m not just confident around animals - I’m careful. I never push a pet beyond their comfort zone, and I know when to step back or slow down. My goal is always to build trust, not force obedience, or action.
At the heart of it, all these things work together to create a kind of safety net. One that holds your pets, your home, and your peace of mind with equal care.
If you ever have questions about how I work, I’ll always answer them openly. I want you to feel totally comfortable - not just on day one, but every time you need my services.
Because this job isn’t just about walking dogs or topping up food bowls. It’s about building something more meaningful: a relationship you can trust.
With care,
Lydia 🫶🏻
