When you’re planning a trip, working long hours, or juggling a packed schedule, one question always comes up: Who’s going to take care of my pet(s)? For many Shoreline pet parents, the first instinct is to ask a friend, neighbor, or family member. But more and more pet parents are realizing that pro pet sitting offers peace of mind that informal help can’t match. Here’s why Shoreline pet parents are choosing professional pet sitters over friends and neighbors.
1. Reliability Isn’t Optional When It Comes to Pets
Life happens. Friends get sick, plans change, traffic happens. While no one intends to forget a visit or arrive late, informal pet care comes with real risks, especially during busy seasons or bad weather.
Professional pet sitters like us operate with structured schedules, backup plans, and accountability, so your pet is never left waiting. According to Pet Sitters International, consistency and routine are key to reducing stress-related behaviors in pets, particularly when owners are away.
2. Experience Means Early Problem Detection
A professional sitter isn’t just stopping by to feed and walk, they’re trained to notice subtle changes in behavior, appetite, mobility, or litter box habits. Early detection of illness or injury significantly improves outcomes, especially in puppies and senior pets. A trained pet care provider knows when “something seems off” and when it’s time to alert you, your emergency contact, or a veterinarian.
Friends may love your pet, but they may not know what’s normal for your pet. This is why establishing a relationship with a company like ours makes so much sense. We get to know your pet, providing consistency and familiar care. Friends may also be new to pet care in general, and simply liking pets isn’t enough to care for them properly. Our team is trained to provide a standard of care that most pet lovers cannot.
3. Insurance, Bonding, and Professional Standards Matter
Inviting someone into your home and trusting them with your pet is a big deal. Professional pet sitting companies like ours carry liability insurance and bonding, protecting both you and your home in the unlikely event something goes wrong.
This is one of the most significant differences between professional care and casual help. As consumer protection groups consistently note, insurance coverage is a key indicator of a legitimate service business. Anybody who is pet sitting as a favor or a side gig can become a liability risk if they are injured during visits or sustain a bite or scratch from your pet. And they can’t be held responsible if they damage your home or belongings, or if they lose your pet, whereas our insurance covers mistakes and accidents.
4. In-Home Care Reduces Stress for Pets
Many pets, especially cats, seniors, and shy dogs, do best staying in their own environment. In-home pet sitting allows them to stick to familiar routines, smells, and spaces. Keeping pets in familiar surroundings can reduce stress, decrease escape risks, and help maintain regular eating and sleeping patterns.
While taking your pet to a friend’s house during your absence may seem like fun for them, experts note that it takes pets 3 days to decompress in a new environment and 3 weeks to feel settled. If your trip is short, your pet will feel a lot of stress in the first 3-7 days, and may only have started to settle by the time you get home. You can learn more about the 3-3-3 rule here. This concern applies to doggie daycare and commercial boarding facilities, too.
5. Professional Pet Sitting Is an Investment in Peace of Mind
Ultimately, when looking for pet care, CT Shoreline pet parents aren’t just hiring help; they’re investing in their pets’ confidence, consistency, and care. Knowing your pet is safe, observed, and genuinely cared for allows you to focus on work, travel, or family without constant worry.
And, at Shoreline Happy Paws, our amazing dog walkers and pet sitters take their job very seriously, ensuring your peace of mind and your pet’s well-being.
Looking for Reliable Pet Sitting Along the Connecticut Shoreline?
Shoreline Happy Paws provides professional, insured, in-home pet care designed around your pet’s unique needs. We are currently accepting new clients for our dog walking and dog hiking adventure services. We will start accepting sign-ups for The Doggie Adventure Bus once we have a clearer idea of the service and routes. Don’t forget to participate in our survey to voice your input!
New Shoreline Happy Paws clients can create an account. We will be in touch to further discuss your needs and set you and your family up for success. Existing clients, please book services by logging in to your client profile.
We serve the following areas of the Connecticut Shoreline:
- Old Saybrook
- Essex, Ivoryton & Centerbrook
- Deep River
- Chester
- Westbrook
- Clinton
- Old Lyme
- East Lyme
- Niantic
Certain Parts and Certain Service Hours in:
- Lyme and Madison
- Waterford, New London, Groton
- Uncasville, Gales Ferry, Mystic, Noank
