Blog - Paws And Pastures Pet Care

14Jan 2026 by pawsandpastures

What to Look for in a Professional Pet Sitter

Pet sitting

Choosing the right pet sitter is one of the most important decisions you can make for your pet’s care. Whether you’re heading out of town for a vacation, working long hours, or just need extra support, a professional pet sitter provides peace of mind and consistent care in your absence. If you’re searching for a pet sitter in Westminster MD or reliable dog sitting in Carroll County Maryland, here are the key qualities you should always look for. Proven Experience You Can Trust Experience matters when it comes to pet care. A professional pet sitter should have hands-on experience with a variety of pets, breeds, ages, and temperaments. This is especially important if your pet has special needs, medical conditions, or behavioral quirks. An experienced pet sitter knows how to:…

05Jan 2026 by pawsandpastures

Why Booking Your Pet Sitter Early Matters During the Holidays

Cat Sitting, Farm Visits, Pet sitting, Tips and Tricks

The holiday season is an exciting time for travel plans, family gatherings, and well‑deserved getaways fill the calendar quickly. It’s also the busiest time of year for any professional pet sitter, especially here in Westminster Maryland. One of the best ways to ensure your pets receive the reliable, attentive care you trust is to book your pet sitter well in advance. Holiday Demand Fills Up Fast From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, requests for a pet sitter increase dramatically. Many families in and around Westminster Maryland travel at the same time, often for similar dates, which means availability disappears quickly. Unlike larger companies with multiple teams, we are a small‑scale pet sitting operation. That allows us to provide personalized, hands‑on care but it also means our space and time are limited.…

20Dec 2025 by pawsandpastures

Why It’s Important to Sign a Veterinary Release Form for Your Pet Sitter

Pet sitting, Tips and Tricks

When you hire a pet sitter, you’re trusting someone to care for your animals as if they were their own. Most days, that means feeding, medications, playtime, and normal routines. But as every pet owner knows, emergencies can happen without warning. Whether it’s a sudden illness, an injury, or an unexpected complication with a chronic condition, pets don’t always wait for convenient moments to need help. That’s where a veterinary release form becomes essential. Emergencies Don’t Always Happen at Convenient Times When you’re on vacation, traveling for work, or even just away from your phone for a few hours, you may not be reachable, and in an emergency, minutes matter. A veterinary release form gives your pet sitter the legal ability to seek medical care for your pet on your…

05Nov 2025 by pawsandpastures

Reasonable expectations to have for a farm sitter

Farm Visits

When you invite a farm sitter to care for your animals and property, you’re trusting someone to step into your daily routine and keep everything running smoothly while you’re away. The best way to set your sitter and your animals up for success is by having reasonable expectations and making sure everything is clearly organized, labeled, and easy to manage. Label Everything Clearly Even the most experienced farm sitter won’t know your setup like you do. It’s your barn, but you’re inviting in someone who isn’t familiar with its quirks, layout, or routines. To avoid confusion, label all feeds, supplements, and medications clearly, and keep them in an easily accessible place. Use simple written instructions that outline feeding amounts, times, and any special notes (for example, “Give after grain” or…

16Oct 2025 by pawsandpastures

Why Booking Your Overnight Pet Care Early Matters

Pet sitting, Tips and Tricks

If you’re planning a trip, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a much-needed vacation, one of the best things you can do for both you and your pets is to reserve your overnight pet care as early as possible. At the farm, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, attentive care. That means we intentionally keep our schedule small so every animal gets the time and attention they deserve. But because we’re a small-scale operation, our calendar fills up quickly especially around holidays, long weekends, and school breaks. I will always do my best to accommodate last-minute requests when something unexpected comes up. Life happens! But even when there’s a chance of availability, current clients always get priority. Those who book in advance ensure their spot is secure and their pets…

23Sep 2025 by pawsandpastures

How to Leave Clear Pet Care Instructions for Your Sitter While You’re on Vacation

Pet sitting, Tips and Tricks

When you’re heading out on vacation, your pets’ comfort and safety are top priorities. Hiring a pet sitter is a great way to ensure your furry (or feathered!) friends stay happy at home, but one of the most important things you can do is leave clear, written instructions. Even the most experienced pet sitter can only follow what they know and many pet parents unintentionally leave out essential details. A little preparation goes a long way toward avoiding confusion, unnecessary interruptions during your trip, or worse, stress for your pets. Here’s how to create easy-to-follow instructions for your pet sitter: 1. Write It Out and Leave It in a Visible Spot Always write your instructions down and leave them on the kitchen counter or another obvious location. Even if you’ve…

05Sep 2025 by pawsandpastures

Farm Visits Aren’t Just for the Big Animals

Farm Visits

When most people think of farm sitting, they imagine caring for large animals, horses, cattle, or donkeys. But from my experience, farm visits are just as important for the smaller residents who keep a farm lively and full of personality. Whether it’s feeding goats, checking on chickens, or giving a pony some well-earned grooming time, the “little things” add up to peace of mind for farm owners. That’s where professional Westminster farm sitting makes all the difference. Feeding the Goats: Quirky Personalities and Breeds Goats are some of the most entertaining animals to care for. Each breed has its own quirks, and I’ve come to know them well on my farm visits. The playful Nigerian Dwarfs are always curious, sniffing at pockets to see if I’m hiding a treat. Nubians,…

18Aug 2025 by pawsandpastures

Farm Sitting in Rocky Ridge, MD: Caring for Five Lovely Mares

Farm Visits

One of the joys of offering farm sitting in Rocky Ridge, MD is getting to spend time on properties full of history, beauty, and character. Recently, I had the chance to care for five lovely mares on a picturesque farm tucked away at the end of a long country lane. The owners even drew me a map to help navigate the fields, a thoughtful detail that added to the charm of the experience. The herd was split between two pastures: two mares in one field and three in another. As someone who has always been partial to mares, I was delighted to care for this group. My responsibilities for the day included making sure each horse was in the proper pasture, checking and refreshing water, and doing a wellness check…

07Aug 2025 by pawsandpastures

From Shy to Snuggly: How I Build Trust with Nervous Pets

Pet sitting

When you’re searching for dog sitting near Mount Airy, MD, it’s not just about finding someone to feed and walk your pup, it’s about trusting someone with a member of your family. This becomes especially true when your pet is a little more reserved, anxious, or slow to warm up. Whether they’re a senior dog set in their ways or a rescue pup still learning to feel safe, my gentle, patient approach is designed to meet them exactly where they are. Every Pet Has a Story Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of caring for animals of all ages and backgrounds, many of whom arrive shy, unsure, and in need of extra reassurance. Some have been recently adopted from shelters, while others are aging companions dealing with the uncertainty…

02Aug 2025 by pawsandpastures

Why Farm Sleepover Dogs Need to Be Truly Cat-Friendly

Farm Visits

Why Farm Sleepover Dogs Need to Be Truly Cat-FriendlyRespecting the Cats Who Call the Farm Home When dogs come to stay at our farm for a cozy overnight visit, they’re stepping into a home that already belongs to two very important residents: our cats. These two farm cats are more than just passing shadows on the porch, they’re confident, curious, and completely at ease in their home territory. They’re used to the comings and goings of visiting dogs and are not likely to run and hide. In fact, they’ll often stand their ground if a dog approaches, and once they feel safe, they may even want to get to know the dog better. That’s why it’s absolutely essential that any dog staying at the farm is truly cat-friendly. What Does…