Holiday pet sitting: book care early

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Once you have travel dates, put pet care on the same list as flights and a place to stay. For Thanksgiving and December trips, start with your pet's routine and find someone who can cover the whole trip, including departure and return days.

When to start looking

Start as soon as your dates are known. For a late-November or December trip, October is a useful time to compare providers and arrange a first meeting. Give yourself several weeks if you can, especially for overnight care, multiple pets, or a routine that needs a careful handoff.

Write down when you will leave home and return, not just your flight dates. An early departure or late return may need an extra visit. Tell the provider about uncertain travel times before booking.

Sitting or boarding over the holidays?

Pet sitting keeps care at your home. Drop-ins are scheduled visits; overnight sitting means the sitter stays overnight. Ask exactly how long visits last and how much time your pet would spend alone between them. An overnight booking does not, by itself, mean someone will be home all day.

Boarding means your pet stays with the provider. Ask where they will sleep, which other animals and people will be there, and how outings and quiet time work. Holiday guests and changes to the household are worth discussing before you choose.

Consider how your pet settles somewhere new, copes with visitors, and manages time alone. Match their routine to the provider's actual coverage. Our boarding versus pet sitting guide explains the two options in more detail.

What to ask before you book

• Can you cover every date and handoff time? Include the first and last day, and ask what happens if your return is delayed.
• Who will provide the care? Ask about other commitments, time away, other pets, and whether anyone else helps.
• Can you follow this pet's routine? Explain feeding, toilet breaks, handling needs, and any vet-prescribed medication before committing.
• What does this package include? Confirm visits or nights, walks, extra pets, pickup or drop-off, and any additional charges.
• How will we stay in touch? Agree on update times and who to call if you cannot be reached.

For a new sitter, use a first meeting to work through the details. Take our meet-and-greet questions with you, then prepare the pet sitter checklist before the trip.

Holiday prices: compare the whole booking

On Pawprint, providers set their own prices. Ask whether the package covers your holiday dates and compare the full cost for the same number of visits or nights. Do not assume a regular-week price, an automatic holiday surcharge, or a discount for a longer stay.

Pawprint charges no booking fees to pet owners. Review the total before confirming. For a saved-card booking request, your card is charged when the provider accepts; sending the request is not a confirmed reservation. Check the booking's status before treating care as arranged. See how booking works for payment and confirmation details.

If the booking or your travel plans change

Message your provider promptly and check the cancellation deadline on your booking before taking action. For a confirmed timed booking, a proposed time change needs the other person's acceptance. All-day and multi-day stays cannot currently use that reschedule flow; contact your provider or support about options before cancelling and rebooking.

Cancellation fees can apply, so asking to change dates does not automatically waive them. Read cancellations and changes and review any fee shown before confirming a cancellation. If the provider cancels, Pawprint's policy refunds the amount charged in full, with no owner cancellation fee. You will still need to arrange replacement care.

For a travel delay, confirm that the provider can extend care and agree on the extra time and price. Have a local contact ready to coordinate a backup handoff if they cannot.