How to Prepare Your Pets for Vacation Care with Barkside Bay: A Guide for Dog and Cat Owners

Your complete guide to leaving your furry loved ones in good hands—so you can relax, recharge, and enjoy your trip!

Planning a vacation is exciting—but for pet parents, it can come with a little anxiety. “Will my dog be okay with someone new?” “Will my cat come out from under the bed?” “How will I know everything's going smoothly?”

At Barkside Bay, we totally understand. That’s why we’ve created a service experience centered around trust, transparency, and top-notch care. Whether you’re leaving a snuggly senior cat, an energetic pup, or both, we’ve got you covered while you’re away.

Here’s everything you need to know—and do!—to prepare for your trip and help us provide the best vacation care possible for your pets.

Step 1: Schedule Your Services Early

The moment you have finalized dates for a trip, hop into your Time to Pet portal or app to schedule your pet care. Holidays and school vacation periods tend to fill up quickly, so early booking helps us lock in your preferred schedule.

When you request services, be sure to include your exact travel dates, the type of care you need (drop-in visits, dog walking, or overnight stays), and a few notes about your travel plans. You can also let us know your preferred time within your selected visit window—while we can’t always promise an exact time during the window, we’ll do our best to get as close as possible.

Once your schedule is confirmed, you’ll be all set!

Step 2: Update Your Pet’s Profile in Time to Pet

Before your departure, take a few minutes to review and update your pet’s profile in Time to Pet. This ensures our team has everything we need to provide consistent, personalized care while you're away.

Include feeding instructions, medication schedules, behavioral notes, and any relevant vet information. For dogs, details like crate use, leash behavior, or walking preferences are helpful. For cats, it’s useful to note hiding spots, preferred litter setup, and how they typically respond to visitors.

Don’t forget to update your emergency contact, just in case.

Step 3: Prepare Your Home for Easy Visits

To make each visit smooth and stress-free, it helps to have everything your sitter might need clearly accessible.

For dogs, keep leashes, harnesses, food, and medication in an easy-to-find spot. If your pup uses a crate or has a designated sleeping area, be sure it's clean and ready for their stay-at-home vacation. Favorite toys and comfort items like blankets or chew bones are great to leave out too.

For cats, ensure litter boxes are clean and stocked with extra litter nearby. Place food and water bowls in their usual spots, and leave out any toys or bedding that might help your kitty feel relaxed and secure.

It’s also helpful to make sure your sitter has access to basic cleaning supplies (just in case) and that your home access instructions in Time to Pet—such as door codes or key locations—are up to date.

Step 4: Enjoy Real-Time Updates During Your Trip

One of the most comforting parts of using Barkside Bay while you’re away? You’ll never be out of the loop!

After each and every visit, you'll receive an update through Time to Pet. These include a summary of the visit, notes about how your pet is doing, and—everyone’s favorite part—photos of your furry friend enjoying their day.

If you're booking overnight care, you'll receive an update when your sitter arrives in the evening and another when they leave in the morning, so you know how the night went. For multiple daily visits, you'll get a separate update after each one. This gives you real-time peace of mind, whether you're across the country or just across town.

Step 5: Stay Connected With In-App Messaging

Have a last-minute update? Want to check in mid-trip? You can message us directly through the Time to Pet app or portal. The best part? Our entire care team has access to your message thread, so the sitter or walker currently visiting your pet will see your notes in real time and can respond directly.

This seamless communication system helps us deliver consistent, personalized care and gives you an open line to your pet’s daily routine while you're away.

Step 6: Billing Is Easy and Secure

You’ll receive an invoice automatically via Time to Pet a week prior to departure. You can log in to review and pay securely using a debit or credit card.

Final Thoughts: Relax, We’ve Got This

Leaving your pets behind doesn’t have to feel stressful. With Barkside Bay’s in-home vacation care, your pets get to stay in the comfort of their own space, stick to their normal routine, and enjoy plenty of love and attention from a trusted professional. You'll get regular updates, easy communication, and complete peace of mind.

So go ahead—book that trip, pack your bags, and enjoy your time away. We’ll be here to take great care of your pets, every step of the way.

Ready to book vacation care for your pet? Log in to your Time to Pet portal or message us with any questions—we’re here to help!