Finding a Great Pet Sitter in Québec: What to Look For

Leaving your dog or cat in someone else’s care is a big decision. For pet-owners in Québec, finding a reliable and trustworthy pet sitter means balancing your animal’s well-being, your peace of mind, and your budget. Whether you’re going away for a weekend, traveling for work, or simply need someone to check in while you’re out for the day, the right pet sitter can make all the difference. At Migrou, we believe that choosing a great pet sitter is as important as choosing the right leash, harness or walking set. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key criteria to evaluate, specific Québec-context considerations, and helpful questions to ask so your pet gets the care they deserve.

Why the choice of pet sitter matters

Pets are part of the family. When you leave them behind, you want to ensure they’re safe, loved, comfortable and their routine maintained. A good pet sitter:

• gives your pet attention and companionship, reducing stress or separation anxiety;

• maintains food, exercise, medication (if needed) and any special routines;

• ensures safety—secure environment, proper handling, emergency-plan;

• communicates with you so you know how your pet is doing and you’re not left wondering.
  On the flip side, a poor pet-sitter experience can mean your pet is lonely, stressed, mis-fed, or even in danger. That’s why taking the time to vet and choose the right person is such a valuable investment.

Key criteria to evaluate

Here are the major attributes to look for when evaluating a pet sitter:

Experience and references

Look for someone who has past pet-sitting credibility: years of experience, clients who are willing to recommend them, documented reviews. In Québec, many pet-care platforms list sitters with profiles, reviews, and repeat clients. For example, one service lists sitters in Québec offering drop-in care with many repeated clients. 
Ask for references: other pet-owners who left their animals with the sitter. Hearing how their pet adjusted reassures you.

Skills and handling of special needs

Your pet may have specific needs: medications, dietary restrictions, anxiety, older age, breed traits. Choose someone comfortable with those. Ask:

• Have you cared for animals with that condition?

• Are you comfortable administering meds or managing behavioural quirks?
  This ensures your pet isn’t treated with a “one size fits all” approach.

Safety, security and contingency planning

In Québec’s climate and urban/rural mix, safety is key. Ask:

• Is your home (or the sitter’s) fully secured (fences, locked doors, secure windows)?

• Are you insured or bonded?

• What is your plan if there’s a vet emergency, or if the sitter cannot make it?
  Platforms like Rover require background checks and provide protections. 
  Making sure these safeguards are in place helps you sleep better at night.

Communication and transparency

You’ll want regular updates: photos, messages, brief reports. A sitter who communicates builds trust. Ask:

• How often will you send updates?

• Will you use WhatsApp, text, email?

• Will you send photos of my pet’s walk/play/meal?
  A sitter who pre-emptively sets these expectations demonstrates professionalism.

Suitability of environment

Depending on whether your pet will be staying in your home (home visits) or the sitter’s home, you’ll want to evaluate the setting.

• Is it pet-friendly (safe yard, no toxic plants, good flooring)?

• For a dog: adequate space, walks, socialization if appropriate.

• For a cat: access to litter, quiet zone, safe indoor environment.
  In Québec urban settings especially (e.g., Montreal, Québec City), space and building rules matter. If the sitter comes to your home, are they familiar with your neighbourhood, routine, nearby vet?

Trust and chemistry

This is often overlooked: your pet should feel comfortable with the sitter and you should feel confident. A meet-and-greet before booking is highly recommended. Let your pet sniff around, see how they respond. How does the sitter interact? Are they calm, friendly, attentive? That intuitive sense matters.

Cost and contract terms

In Québec, rates vary. For example, the median cost for a pet-sitter on some platforms is around CAD $25 per night. Rover.com But price isn’t everything. Clarify:

• what services are included (walks, feeding, playtime, photos, overnight stays);

• what extra costs may apply (weekend, holidays, additional pets, transport);

• cancellation policy;

• payment method and schedule.
  Clear terms avoid misunderstandings later.

Québec-specific considerations

When choosing a pet sitter in Québec there are a few local factors to keep in mind:

Language and communication

Québec is bilingual (French/English). Ensure the sitter can communicate in the language you prefer and understands pet care instructions accordingly.

Climate and environment

Winter conditions (cold, snow, icy sidewalks) affect walks and pet safety. Summer heat and humidity also matter. Ask how the sitter handles winter walk routines, how they protect pets from cold paws, etc.

Building or townhouse rules

If your pet will be in the sitter’s home or in yours while you’re away, check building policies: are pets permitted, are there restrictions on breeds, size, noise, or hours of outdoor walks?

Pet-care culture in Québec

Many nice services exist locally (e.g., platforms like Pawshake which offer vetted pet-sitters in Québec City). Pawshake Local sitters may understand region-specific issues better (snow clearing, winter boots, seasonal flea/tick patterns).

Step-by-step process to find the right pet sitter

Here’s a practical workflow to guide you:

Step 1: Define your needs

• What type of pet do you have (dog, cat, other)?

• What services do you need (drop-in visits, overnight stay, house sitting)?

• Duration of care (few hours, days, weeks)?

• Any special requirements (medication, walks, socialization, training background)?
  Clarifying this helps you narrow down candidates.

Step 2: Search and shortlist

Use local platforms, ask for referrals, check neighbourhood groups. Filter by geography, services, reviews. For each candidate: review profile, experience, reviews and availability.

Step 3: Invite for a meet & greet

Whether at your home or sitter’s, this meeting is very important.
Check:

• How the sitter interacts with your pet.

• How the pet reacts.

• Ask to walk through your pet’s routine together.

• Ask questions about their approach to emergencies, behaviour issues.

• Get a sense of their personality and professionalism.

Step 4: Verify credentials and references

Ask for:

• References from former clients.

• Proof of insurance, bonding if applicable.

• Verification of background checks if provided by a platform.
  Ensure they have the experience they claim.

Step 5: Clarify terms and sign an agreement

Even if informal, put in writing:

• Duration of care, services included.

• Fee schedule, payment method.

• Cancellation rules.

• Emergency contacts: your vet, sitter’s plan.

• Access info (keys, codes), house rules.

• Communication expectations (frequency of updates).
  Having this clarity prevents misunderstandings.

Step 6: Provide detailed care instructions

Before you leave, give the sitter:

• Feeding schedule, portion, brand of food.

• Walking schedule, leash/harness info.

• Medication instructions if any.

• Pet’s usual routines, favourite toys, comfort items.

• Behaviour quirks (e.g., “doesn’t like stairs”, “hates thunder”).

• Vet info, any allergies, emergency contact.

• House rules: access, areas off-limits, whether others will visit.
  The more detailed you are, the smoother care goes.

Step 7: Stay connected

During your absence:

• Expect regular updates (photos, short messages).

• Trust but verify: ask for feedback or check-in if you’re anxious.

• Upon return: debrief with the sitter, ask how things went, any issues to know.
  Good communication fosters ongoing trust for future bookings.

Common red flags to watch for

When screening pet sitters, beware of:

• No references or reviews, or very few — experience may be limited.

• No background check or insurance.

• Poor communication or unwillingness to clarify procedures.

• No meet-and‐greet offered.

• Unclear cancellation/payment terms.

• Overbooking (multiple clients simultaneously without clear plan).

• Unwillingness to provide updates or send photos.
  If you encounter any of these, consider looking elsewhere.

Benefits of investing in a quality pet sitter

Choosing a high-quality pet sitter pays off:

• You leave the house with peace of mind, knowing your pet is in good hands.

• Your pet’s routine and comfort is maintained — less stress for them, less guilt for you.

• A professional may even improve your pet’s experience (extra walks, play, socializing).

• Over time, you build a trusted relationship with the sitter for future trips.
  For a brand like Migrou, which encourages active adventure and quality care for dogs, this connection is key.

How Migrou can help

At Migrou, we know that walks, exploration and quality time are essential for dogs. When you’re away, you’ll want a pet sitter who mirrors those values. Ask your sitter how they integrate activity, mental stimulation and outdoor time (where safe) into their care routine.
Also, before you go on an adventure with your pup, consider packing the necessary gear: walking set, harness, dog-friendly water bottle. Providing your sitter with these tools (or ensuring they are familiar with them) enhances the care your dog receives.
And when your dog returns, treat them to a fresh walk or outing together — reinforcing your bond and showing them you’ve been thinking of them.

Final checklist before you book

Before you commit, go through this quick checklist:

• Have you met the sitter and seen how they interact with your pet?

• Is their environment or yours appropriate and safe?

• Are services, rates, and terms clearly defined?

• Do they have references/reviews and required credentials?

• Have you provided detailed instructions for your pet’s routine?

• Have you agreed on communication and updates?

• Do you trust them and feel comfortable leaving your pet in their care?
  If you can answer “yes” to each, you’re well on your way to choosing a great pet sitter.

Conclusion

Finding a good pet sitter in Québec doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right criteria, clear communication and a meet-and-greet, you can feel confident leaving your pet in someone else’s hands. For dog-owners especially, making sure your sitter understands the value of exercise, mental stimulation and quality care aligns with the Migrou ethos: every walk is an adventure, every sitter a trusted partner.
When you return from your trip, your pet should be happy, healthy, and glad to see you — because they were well looked after in your absence.
Start your search early, ask the right questions, and build a trusted relationship. Your peace of mind and your pet’s well-being are worth it.