Pet Sitter Meet & Greet (printable) Checklist: Nail the First Meeting

A pet sitter meet and greet should cover introductions between sitter and pet, a home tour showing supplies and routines, discussion of pet personality and quirks, emergency protocols, and house rules. The goal is confirming compatibility and ensuring the sitter has everything they need to provide excellent care—not just making awkward small talk.

You scheduled the meet and greet. The sitter arrives in fifteen minutes. You suddenly realize you have no plan for what to actually cover, and you’re about to wing a conversation that determines whether your pet gets good care or whether you come home to chaos.

The meet and greet isn’t a formality—it’s your chance to assess whether this person can handle your pet, your home, and the inevitable weird situation that comes up. It’s also the sitter’s chance to decide if your pet is actually manageable or if you’ve downplayed the difficulty level.

Don’t waste it on surface-level chitchat. Here’s how to run a meet and greet that actually accomplishes something.

Before the Meet and Greet: What to Prepare

Don’t invite a sitter over with zero preparation. Do this first.

Clean the Key Areas (Not Everything)

You don’t need a spotless house, but tidy the spaces that matter:

Priority areas:

Entrance and main walkways (so they’re not climbing over clutter)
Pet supply areas (food storage, litter boxes, leash hooks)
Kitchen (if they’ll have access during the sit)
Guest room or sleeping area (if overnight sitting)

Don’t bother with:

Rooms they won’t enter
Deep cleaning that doesn’t affect pet care
organizing just to impress

The sitter cares about functional access, not Instagram-worthy aesthetics.

Gather Pet Supplies and Documents

Have these ready to show:

Physical items:

Current food and treats
Medications with labels
Leashes, harnesses, collars
Favorite toys
Carrier (in case of emergency vet visit)
Litter box and supplies (for cats)

Documents to have available:

Vaccination records
Recent vet visit summaries
Medical history (chronic conditions, allergies, past surgeries)
Microchip information
Emergency vet contact information
Your regular vet’s contact information

You don’t need to hand them everything now, but having it ready shows you’re organized and prepared.

Prepare Your Pet

For anxious pets:

Schedule the meet and greet during a calm time of day
Exercise your dog beforehand so they’re not bouncing off walls
Have treats ready for positive associations
Don’t force interaction—let them approach at their own pace

For overly excited pets:

Burn off energy before the sitter arrives
Have a plan to redirect jumping or excessive enthusiasm
Use commands they know to demonstrate training level
Consider a brief leash for dogs who can’t contain themselves

For hiding cats:

Don’t chase them out of hiding
Show the sitter where they typically hide
Explain this is normal behavior when strangers visit
Let the cat observe from a distance

Your pet doesn’t need to perform perfectly—the sitter needs to see their actual personality.

Find Vetted Sitters to care for your Pet. Download our app today.

Learn more

Write Down Questions You Have

Don’t rely on memory. Prepare specific questions:

About their experience:

How long have you been pet sitting?
Have you cared for [breed/species] before?
What’s the most challenging pet situation you’ve handled?
How do you handle [specific issue your pet has]?

About their process:

How do you structure visits? (quick check-ins vs. quality time)
How often do you send updates?
What’s your emergency protocol?
Do you have backup if you get sick or have an emergency?

About logistics:

What’s your cancellation policy?
How far in advance do you need to book?
What information do you need from me?
How do you handle keys and home access?

For comprehensive interview questions, see our guide on questions to ask a pet sitter.

The Meet and Greet Structure (What to Cover and When)

Plan for 30-60 minutes depending on complexity. Here’s how to use that time.

Part 1: Initial Introductions (5-10 minutes)

Start with humans, then move to pets.

Greet the sitter at the door:

Introduce yourself
Confirm pronunciation of names (yours and your pet’s)
Offer water or coffee if it’s a long meeting
Give a brief overview of what you’ll cover

Introduce your pet:

Let your pet approach naturally—don’t force it
Explain your pet’s typical reaction to strangers
Allow the sitter to use treats (bring some if your pet is food-motivated)
Watch how the sitter approaches: Do they read body language? Respect boundaries? Force interaction?

What to observe:

Does your pet seem comfortable or stressed?
Does the sitter seem confident or nervous?
Is the sitter’s energy level appropriate for your pet?
Do they follow your lead or try to take over immediately?

If your pet is hiding, don’t panic. Explain this is normal and show the sitter where they typically retreat. Good sitters understand that cats especially need time to warm up.

For detailed guidance on first meetings, read our complete first-time pet sitter guide.

Part 2: Home Tour (15-20 minutes)

Walk them through everything they need to know about your home.

Stop 1: Pet feeding area

Show where food is stored
Demonstrate portion sizes with actual measuring tools
Point out treats and when to use them
Explain feeding schedule and any dietary restrictions
Show water bowls and refresh frequency

Stop 2: Pet bathroom area

For dogs: show door they use, yard boundaries, poop bag location
For cats: show litter box location, litter storage, scooping routine
Explain normal bathroom frequency
Show cleaning supplies for accidents

Stop 3: Exercise and play areas

Show where leashes, harnesses, toys are stored
Explain walk routes or play preferences
Demonstrate how to use any equipment
Point out exercise restrictions or safety concerns

Stop 4: Sleeping areas

Show where your pet sleeps
Explain bedtime routine
Point out comfort items (favorite blankets, toys)
Clarify furniture rules (allowed on couch? bed?)

Stop 5: Medication and health supplies

Show where medications are stored
Demonstrate administration technique if needed
Explain what each medication does
Show first aid supplies and pet carrier location

Stop 6: Emergency information

Point out where you’ll leave written instructions
Show location of emergency contacts
Explain when to contact you vs. act immediately
Discuss Petme Protection Plan coverage (up to $20,000 in emergency vet expenses on every booking)

Stop 7: House-specific quirks

Demonstrate alarm system
Show tricky locks or sticky doors
Explain thermostat and lighting preferences
Point out any hazards (basement stairs, pool, etc.)

For comprehensive home tour guidance, read our pet sitter home tour article.

Part 3: Pet Personality and Behavior Deep Dive (10-15 minutes)

This is where you get specific about who your pet actually is.

Personality overview:

Is your pet social, shy, independent, clingy, anxious, confident?
How do they typically react to changes in routine?
What makes them happy? What stresses them out?
Do they have separation anxiety or other behavioral issues?

Behavioral quirks:

Do they counter-surf, door-dash, dig, scratch furniture?
Are they reactive to sounds (doorbell, garbage trucks, fireworks)?
Do they resource guard (food, toys, furniture)?
What commands do they know and actually respond to?

Social behavior:

How do they interact with other dogs or cats?
Are they good with strangers or do they need time to warm up?
Do they have favorite people or places?
Any aggression or fear-based reactions to watch for?

Signs of stress or illness:

What does stress look like in your pet? (hiding, pacing, excessive vocalization, loss of appetite)
What’s “normal” behavior vs. concerning behavior?
Red flags that require immediate vet attention
Changes in eating, drinking, or bathroom habits to monitor

Be honest here. Don’t downplay anxiety, aggression, or medical issues. Good sitters can handle challenges—they can’t handle surprises.

If your pet has specific behavioral needs, share relevant resources like our guides on handling shy cats or dog behavior for sitters.

Part 4: Routine Walkthrough (10-15 minutes)

Walk the sitter through a typical day, hour by hour if needed.

Morning routine:

What time does your pet wake up?
First bathroom break or litter box check
Breakfast time and portion
Morning walk duration and route (for dogs)
Morning play session expectations

Midday routine:

Lunch if applicable
Midday walk or exercise
Alone time behavior (do they sleep, play, pace?)
Any medication given during the day

Evening routine:

Dinner time and portion
Evening walk or play session
Last bathroom break timing
Bedtime routine and where they sleep
Overnight behavior (do they wake you up? need middle-of-night bathroom breaks?)

Variable routine elements:

How flexible is the schedule? (rigid vs. adaptable)
What happens if timing is off by 30 minutes?
Weekend vs. weekday differences
Weather-related adjustments

The more specific you are, the better the sitter can replicate your routine and minimize stress for your pet.

Part 5: House Rules and Logistics (5-10 minutes)

Cover the practical boundaries and expectations.

Guest policies:

Can they have visitors?
Overnight guest rules
Other people who might stop by (cleaners, lawn service, neighbors)

Off-limit areas:

Rooms they shouldn’t enter
Furniture restrictions
Spaces your pet shouldn’t access

Amenities and supplies:

What they can use (kitchen, Wi-Fi, TV, bathroom)
Food they’re welcome to
Cleaning supplies and where to find them

Communication preferences:

How often you want updates
Preferred method (text, photo, call)
Your availability and time zone
Emergency contact protocol

Security expectations:

Locking doors and setting alarms
Camera disclosure (if applicable)
Key handling and home access
What to do if they get locked out

For detailed house rules guidance, read our pet sitter house rules article.

Part 6: Questions and Concerns (5-10 minutes)

Give the sitter space to ask questions and voice concerns.

Common sitter questions:

Is your pet good with [specific situation]?
What happens if they refuse to eat or seem off?
Do you have backup supplies if something runs out?
How do I handle [specific behavior] if it happens?
What’s your budget for emergency vet care? (mention Petme Protection Plan coverage here)

Red flags to watch for:

Sitter doesn’t ask any questions (either not paying attention or doesn’t care)
Sitter seems overwhelmed or hesitant about your pet’s needs
Sitter makes promises that sound too good to be true
Sitter doesn’t take notes or seems dismissive of details

Green flags:

Asks specific, thoughtful questions
Takes notes during the tour
Seems genuinely interested in your pet’s personality
Offers suggestions based on experience
Asks for clarification on anything unclear

If something feels off, trust your gut. This is the time to decide if this person is the right fit.

Your inbox needs this

Subscribe to the Petme newsletter for weekly updates with pet care tips, tales, and member-only perks.

A gray cat wearing yellow sunglasses and holding a yellow megaphone against a black background.

What to Observe During the Meet and Greet

Pay attention to dynamics, not just words.

How Your Pet Reacts

Positive signs:

Approaches the sitter willingly (even if cautiously)
Accepts treats from them
Shows relaxed body language (loose tail, soft eyes, normal posture)
Engages in play or interaction
Returns for more attention after initial curiosity

Neutral signs (not bad, just cautious):

Keeps distance but watches curiously
Sniffs the sitter but doesn’t approach fully
Hides initially but peeks out later
Needs encouragement to interact

Warning signs:

Aggressive behavior (growling, snapping, hissing)
Extreme fear (hiding and refusing to emerge, shaking, panicked attempts to escape)
Stress signals (excessive panting, drooling, tucked tail, pinned ears)
Complete shutdown (won’t move, frozen in place)

One bad meet and greet doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t work—some pets need multiple interactions to warm up. But if your pet shows fear or aggression repeatedly, find a different sitter.

How the Sitter Interacts

Positive signs:

Reads your pet’s body language correctly
Respects boundaries (doesn’t force interaction)
Uses appropriate energy level for your pet’s personality
Asks before touching or picking up your pet
Adjusts approach based on your pet’s comfort level
Takes notes or remembers details without prompting

Neutral signs:

Slightly awkward with your pet initially but improves
Asks lots of questions to clarify expectations
Seems nervous but respectful

Warning signs:

Ignores your instructions or pet’s body language
Forces interaction when your pet pulls away
Seems impatient with nervous pets
Dismissive of your concerns or house rules
Claims they’ve “never had a problem with any animal” (unrealistic)
Doesn’t ask questions or take notes

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is.

After the Meet and Greet: Next Steps

The meeting’s over. Now what?

If It Went Well

What to do:

Confirm the booking through Petme
Send written instructions and emergency contact list
Share any additional information (gate codes, alarm details, etc.)
Schedule a trial visit if possible (sitter comes for one walk or feeding while you’re still in town)
Add sitter’s contact info to your phone
Prepare your home according to the home tour checklist

Trial visit benefits:

Your pet gets another interaction with the sitter before you leave
Sitter practices your routine with you available for questions
You can observe how they handle tasks independently
Identifies any confusion or forgotten details
Builds confidence for both of you

If you’re using a pet sitter for the first time, a trial visit significantly reduces stress for everyone.

If You’re Unsure

What to do:

Thank the sitter for their time
Tell them you need to think about it or meet with other candidates
Don’t book immediately just to avoid awkwardness
Review notes and gut feelings honestly
Consider scheduling a second meet and greet if your pet was unusually stressed
Look for other sitters on Petme who might be a better fit

Questions to ask yourself:

Did my pet seem comfortable or stressed?
Did the sitter seem confident with my pet’s needs?
Did they follow instructions during the tour?
Do I trust them to handle emergencies appropriately?
Would I feel comfortable leaving my pet with them for a week?

If you can’t answer yes to most of these, keep looking.

If It Went Poorly

What to do:

Thank the sitter professionally
Be honest but kind: “I don’t think it’s the right fit” is sufficient
Don’t provide excessive detail unless they ask
Continue searching for someone better suited
Don’t settle out of desperation—keep looking

Common reasons for a bad match:

Pet showed extreme fear or aggression
Sitter seemed unprepared or dismissive
Communication styles didn’t align
Experience level didn’t match your needs
House rules or pet care expectations were too different

A bad meet and greet isn’t a failure—it’s the system working. Better to know now than after you’ve left town.