The Responsible Pet Parent’s Pre-Travel Checklist: 10 Questions You Should Always Ask

1. “What’s your experience with my pet’s breed, age, and temperament?”

Not all pets are the same. A bulldog overheats in conditions where a husky would thrive. A senior cat needs different care than a kitten. An anxious rescue dog needs understanding that a confident Golden Retriever might not require.

Why this matters: Generic pet care isn’t enough. Your pet’s specific needs require specific knowledge.

What to listen for: Concrete examples. “I’ve cared for three bulldogs and I know they can’t handle long walks in heat” is reassuring. “Oh, I love all dogs!” is not.

2. “Walk me through your facility. Are there any pools, unfenced areas, or potential hazards?”

Hidden hazards are often the problem. An unfenced pool. A gate that doesn’t latch properly. Other pets that might be aggressive.

Why this matters: What seems safe to a caregiver might be dangerous for your specific pet.

What to look for: Insist on a tour. See where your pet will sleep, play, and spend time. If someone won’t show you, that’s your answer.

3. “What’s your pet-to-caregiver ratio?”

One person watching 20 dogs can’t give individualised attention. They can’t notice when one pet is acting off. They can’t prevent conflicts or catch problems early.

Why this matters: Your pet isn’t a number. They deserve to be seen, known, and cared for as an individual.

Responsible standard: At Lemmika, we maintain 4 dogs or 8 cats per caregiver max. Small groups mean we notice everything.

4. “What does supervision actually look like?”

This is where many pet parents get confused by marketing language. Let’s break down what different supervision models actually mean:

Drop-In Visits (15-30 min, 2-3x daily):

• Caregiver stops by to feed, refill water, quick potty break.
• Pet is alone 22+ hours per day.
• No supervision between visits.
• Works for independent cats; risky for anxious or social pets like dogs.

Extended Supervised Care (Full-Day + Routines):

• Pets are supervised during all active hours (morning through evening).
• Structured schedule: feeding, play, socialisation, rest periods.
• Evening settling routine before overnight.
• Morning care routine to start the day.
• Pets rest overnight in safe, familiar sleeping areas.
• This is what most pets actually need.

24/7 Live-In Care:

• Staff member sleeps on-site.
• Typically reserved for medical cases or extreme anxiety.
• Significantly more expensive.
• Often unnecessary for healthy, well-adjusted pets.

Why this matters: Your pet’s natural rhythm is what guides the right supervision model.

Most dogs and cats sleep 12-16 hours per day, primarily overnight. What they need is consistent, attentive care during their active hours, not someone watching them sleep.

What to ask:

• “What are your operating hours, and what happens overnight?”
• “How do you settle pets for the evening?”
• “What’s your morning routine?”
• “Are pets ever left unsupervised during the day?”

At Lemmika: We provide supervised care for 14+ hours everyday. For overnight boarding, pets are settled in a safe and comfortable sleeping areas in the evening and have morning care routines. This matches most pets’ natural schedules; active care when they’re awake, safe rest when they sleep.

5. “What happens if my pet gets anxious, sick, or injured?”

This is where training and protocols matter. Does the caregiver know pet first aid? Do they have a vet partnership? What’s their emergency plan?

Why this matters: Good intentions aren’t enough in a crisis. You need someone who knows what to do.

Red flag: Vague answers like “I’ll figure it out” or “I’ll call you.” You need concrete protocols.

6. “Do you have other pets, and if so, what are their temperaments?”

Many tragic incidents happen when pets are mixed without proper introduction or supervision.

Why this matters: Your anxious cat doesn’t know that the caregiver’s dog is “friendly.” Your senior dog can’t defend themselves against a younger, more aggressive animal.

What to verify: How are pets introduced? Are they separated if needed? What’s the supervision protocol?

7. “How often will I receive updates, and in what format?”

Responsible pet parents don’t want to be helicoptering, but they do want to know their pet is okay.

Why this matters: Regular updates aren’t just nice, they’re accountability. They prove your pet is being attended to.

What’s reasonable: Regular photo/video updates at minimum, you can ask how often they can update or request them less or more depends on what you need. Real-time access (like 24/7 cameras) is even better, if they can provide.

8. “What are your policies on feeding, medication, and routine?”

Pets thrive on routine. Disrupting their schedule can cause stress, digestive issues, or missed medications.

Why this matters: Your pet’s normal is their comfort zone. A responsible caregiver respects that.

Be specific: Share feeding times, portion sizes, medication schedules, and any quirks (“He won’t eat unless you stand nearby”).

9. “Do you have documented safety protocols and procedures?”

Professional pet care isn’t just about loving animals—it’s about systems that prevent problems before they happen.

Informal Care:

• Operates on good intentions
• No written procedures
• Decisions made on the fly
• No standardized safety checks
• No documentation trail

Professional Care:

• Written protocols for every scenario
• Mandatory health screenings before admission
• Safety checklists (daily facility checks, pet wellness checks)
• Documented emergency procedures
• Clear contracts outlining responsibilities
• Incident reporting and documentation
• Regular procedure reviews and updates

Why this matters:

When something unexpected happens (a pet shows signs of illness, another pet becomes aggressive, a weather emergency), you want a caregiver who follows proven protocols, not someone winging it.

What to ask:

• “What health requirements do you have before accepting pets?”
• “Do you have written emergency procedures?”
• “How do you document daily care and any incidents?”
• “What’s in your contract regarding responsibilities?”

What to look for:

A professional operation should be able to walk you through their procedures. If they say “we just handle things as they come up,” that’s a red flag.

At Lemmika: We maintain documented protocols for:

• Pre-admission health screening (vaccination requirements, behavioural assessment)
• Daily safety checklists (facility inspection, pet wellness checks)
• Emergency procedures (vet contact, owner notification, transport protocols)
• Incident documentation (any unusual behaviour, health concerns, conflicts)
• Clear service agreements outlining our responsibilities and yours

Having everything written down means consistency, accountability, and nothing falling through the cracks.

10. “Can I see reviews or speak with other pet parents you’ve worked with?”

Past clients tell you what the caregiver won’t.

Why this matters: Patterns emerge. If multiple reviews mention “poor communication” or “didn’t follow instructions,” believe them.

Pro tip: Look for reviews that mention challenges, not just glowing praise. How did the caregiver handle a difficult situation?

Conclusion: Asking Questions Is Responsible, Not Rude

If a pet care provider seems annoyed by your questions, that tells you everything.

A professional, responsible caregiver wants you to ask. They want you to feel confident. They understand that your pet’s safety is non-negotiable.

At Lemmika, we don’t just welcome these questions—we insist on them. Every client tours our facility. Every client meets our team. Every client sees exactly where their pet will stay, how we operate, and what our protocols are.

Because being a responsible pet parent means doing your homework.

And we want to make that easy.

Ready to see what responsible pet care looks like? Book a facility tour or learn more about our approach.