Why a Thorough Pet Intake Form Matters | Stay With Lacy

At Stay With Lacy, I provide professional in-home care for pet families throughout Stafford County, Virginia, and I wrote this guide to help you make confident choices for your pet.

Some people look at the pet intake form and think, "Wow, this is a lot of questions."

Good. It should be.

The more I know about your pet, the better I can care for them. And the better I can care for them, the more peace of mind you have while you're away. Every single question on that form exists for a reason.

A casual pet sitter might ask for your pet's name, what they eat, and where the leash is. That's it. And that's fine — until something goes wrong.

A professional pet sitter asks everything because they're preparing for every scenario, not just the easy ones. The goal isn't to be thorough for the sake of it. The goal is to be prepared for the 2 AM moment when something unexpected happens and you need someone who already knows exactly what to do.

Feeding seems simple. It's not.

I ask about food type, brand, and flavor — because some pets have allergies or sensitivities that make substitutions dangerous. I ask about portion size and whether it's measured by weight or volume. I ask about feeding time and whether your pet eats on a schedule or free-feeds. I ask about eating speed — does your dog eat too fast and need a slow feeder? Does your cat graze throughout the day?

I also ask about treats: what they can have, what they can't, and whether treats are used for medication administration.

All of this matters. A dog who eats too fast and gets a double portion can develop bloat. A cat who doesn't eat for 24 hours can develop hepatic lipidosis. These aren't edge cases — they're real risks that a prepared sitter can prevent.

Medications are non-negotiable. I ask for the medication name, dosage, what time it's given, and exactly how it needs to be administered. Pill in a treat? Liquid syringe? Eye drops? Topical ointment? Injection? Each one requires a different technique, and I need to know before I'm standing in your kitchen at 8 AM trying to figure it out.

I also ask about behavioral triggers. Does your dog resource-guard their food bowl? Do they have storm anxiety? Are they reactive on leash? Do they have a history of aggression with strangers or other animals?

This isn't about judging your pet. It's about making sure I'm fully prepared and that the care environment is safe for everyone.

This is the section that matters most.

I ask for your regular vet's name, address, and phone number. I ask for the closest emergency animal hospital. I ask for your emergency contact — someone who can make decisions if I can't reach you. I ask for written authorization to seek emergency veterinary care if needed.

If your pet has a seizure at 2 AM, I need to know what to do and who to call BEFORE it happens. Not while I'm panicking. Not while I'm searching your kitchen for a vet's business card. Before.

Alarm codes. Thermostat preferences. Which doors to lock. Where supplies are kept. Which rooms the pets are allowed in. Whether the dog is allowed on the furniture.

These details matter because I'm a guest in your home, and I take that seriously. The Invisible Guest Guarantee means your home is respected exactly as you left it. That requires knowing your rules.

A thorough intake form isn't over-the-top. It's the foundation of great care. It's the difference between a sitter who shows up and figures it out as they go, and a sitter who walks through your door already knowing everything they need to know.

That's the kind of preparation your pet deserves.

Book your Meet & Greet today and let's make sure every detail is covered before your next trip.