Pet owners who are planning to travel over Christmas are being encouraged to arrange care for their animals early, as bookings for the festive period begin to fill up.
Wiltshire-based pet sitting and dog walking business Birddog Catwalk says it regularly receives last-minute enquiries and, although its team will try to accommodate them, finding an available sitter during busy holiday periods is not always possible.
Founder Holly Bird said: “We get a lot of last-minute, or slightly late in the day, enquiries and we will always do our very best to accommodate people.
“But we simply can’t guarantee that a sitter will be available for the dates somebody needs.”
Holly says booking ahead is also important for people using a pet sitter for the first time, as there is more involved than simply arranging for somebody to call in while an owner is away.
Before taking on a new pet, Birddog Catwalk arranges a meet-and-greet to go through the animal’s routine, behaviour, allergies and any other requirements. Access arrangements and veterinary details are also recorded, with owners completing paperwork allowing action to be taken in an emergency.
“There’s more to arranging pet care than finding somebody who is free,” Holly said.
“Meeting beforehand means the pet has met us before we suddenly walk into their home when their owner isn’t there, and the owner can feel comfortable about the person coming into their home.
“It also gives our sitter the chance to make sure they feel comfortable and safe with the arrangement.”
She is also advising anyone looking for a pet sitter for the first time to check that they are insured and DBS checked, and to ask what procedures are in place for emergencies and handling personal information.
Birddog Catwalk has expanded considerably over the past year. Holly took on her first staff members in September 2025, when she was still carrying out most of the work around Malmesbury herself.
Five active contractors now work alongside her, with another sitter due to join the Bristol team and further recruitment planned around Malmesbury and Tetbury.
The business also has a team member working in the Calne area, while its wider service covers Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol and the Cotswolds.
Holly says having a larger team provides more flexibility if a sitter becomes unavailable and makes it easier to match individual animals with the right person. Owners are also sent photographs and updates while their pets are being looked after.
“Christmas isn’t really any different to pet sitting at any other time of year, except that, like the summer, it’s busier,” Holly said.
“If you know the dates you’re going to need us, get them to us early. It gives us the best chance of being able to help and means everything can be properly arranged before you go away.”
Birddog Catwalk provides pet sitting, dog walking and home visits.
More information is available from Birddog Catwalk.
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