Your sitter cancelled. Your usual kennel cannot take your dog. Or a family invitation just turned into an overnight trip, and now you need pet care. If you are searching for last-minute Thanksgiving pet sitting in Louisville, the next step is not to panic. It is to put the essential details in one request so a caregiver can assess them.
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Even if your trip feels close, reach out now rather than waiting until departure week. Availability is confirmed during booking, and a request alone is not a reservation.
Contact Raven's K9 to 5 with your dates and pets' needs, or create your Time To Pet client profile to begin the request process.
First, identify the gap in your original plan
Write down when care actually needs to start and end. Your flight date may not tell the whole story. An early departure could mean your dog needs care the evening before, and a late return may require another meal or potty break.
Include the whole Thanksgiving weekend, not just Thursday. If someone can cover part of the trip, explain exactly which visits or nights still need coverage. Avoid overlapping responsibilities that leave each person assuming the other has fed the pets.
If your travel dates are tentative, say so. A caregiver needs to distinguish confirmed dates from possible changes before reviewing a schedule.
Send the details that make a useful availability check
Your first message does not need to be long, but it should answer these questions:
- What are your departure and return dates and approximate times?
- How many pets need care, and what species and ages are they?
- Do you want boarding, Drop-In Pet Visits or overnight house sitting?
- For care at your home, what neighborhood or general area are you in?
- What feeding, medication and bathroom routines need to be maintained?
- Are there handling concerns, escape risks or difficulties being left alone?
- When do you need a decision so you can make a backup plan?
Share private access instructions through the booking process, not in a public comment. Mention medical needs at the start rather than after a stay has been discussed. Care must be reviewed for safety and fit, not simply squeezed into a calendar.
Choose the service your pets need, not just the first opening
**Home-based dog boarding** means your dog stays at my Louisville home. It may suit a dog who can settle in a different household, subject to an individual fit review. My home address is private and is shared only after the required deposit is received.
**Drop-In Pet Visits** keep your pets in their own home, with care during scheduled visits. The number and timing of visits must meet their needs. A dog accustomed to frequent bathroom breaks cannot necessarily switch to a much longer gap because travel is approaching. Cats need at least one visit every day, with no skipped days.
**Overnight house sitting** may be worth discussing for pets who do better in their familiar surroundings. Overnight care should not be assumed to mean continuous daytime supervision. Explain how long your pets can comfortably be alone so the actual coverage can be reviewed.
For a closer look at visits, read What Happens During a Professional Drop-In Visit in Louisville. Families with rabbits, birds or reptiles can also review Holiday Pet Care for Small Animals and ask whether Small Animal Boarding or visits fit their needs.
Do not skip preparation because the request is urgent
Once a care option is being considered, gather your pet's routine, veterinary contact, emergency contact and any relevant records. Write down food amounts and medication instructions clearly. Explain what changes in appetite, movement or behavior would be unusual for your pet.
For visits or house sitting, arrange reliable home access before departure. Check that the planned entry method works and that alarm instructions are current. Set out supplies in one place rather than expecting a caregiver to search through cupboards.
Use the First-Time Pet Sitter Checklist to catch the details that are easy to forget when plans change quickly.
Know when your replacement plan is confirmed
New clients can register through Time To Pet and complete their care information. I review the request and discuss next steps, including onboarding, an appropriate meet and greet, the applicable agreement and required deposit. Review the current policies before proceeding.
Availability is confirmed during booking. Do not assume a message, account registration or tentative discussion means care is secured. Keep a suitable backup option until you have confirmation, and communicate promptly if you choose another arrangement.
I am Bonded & Insured, Fear Free Certified, and Pet First Aid & CPR Trained. Those credentials support thoughtful care, but they do not replace checking whether your particular pets and schedule are a safe fit.
Request your Thanksgiving care check now
You do not need to wait until you have solved every detail to start the conversation. Send the dates you know, explain what fell through and describe the care your pets need. I can review the request without you guessing which service might work.
Contact me about Thanksgiving pet care, or register in Time To Pet to request care. Reaching out now leaves more time to assess fit and prepare before November 26.
