Practical preparation for your pet, your home and the unexpected

Bringing home a new pet, arranging a pet sitter or preparing to go away can reveal small problems that are easy to overlook.

Is the garden secure?

Could your dog slip through the front door when a delivery arrives?

Would someone else know where your cat carrier, medication or vet details are kept?

What would happen if you were delayed, taken ill or temporarily unable to get home?

My Pet and Home Readiness Visit helps you address these practical details before they become problems.

I visit your home, talk through your pet’s routine and help you identify straightforward changes that could make everyday care, holidays and unexpected situations easier to manage.

This is particularly useful for rescue dogs, puppies, nervous pets, senior animals and households preparing to use a pet sitter for the first time.

Pet and Home Readiness Visit: £75

The standard service includes:

A short pre-visit information form
Up to 60 minutes in your home
A practical review of your pet’s routine and home environment
Discussion of access, escape risks and emergency arrangements
A personalised written checklist
Clear priorities for anything that may need attention
Links to reliable animal-welfare information
Recommendations for specialist help where something falls outside my role

The price is per household rather than per pet.

Additional time can be arranged where you have several pets, a large property or more complicated routines.

Additional 30 minutes: £25

[INTERNAL LINK: View all Finchley Dog Walker prices]

Who is the visit for?

A Pet and Home Readiness Visit may help if:

You are bringing home a rescue dog
You are preparing for a puppy
Your pet is becoming older or needs medication
You have recently moved home
You are arranging house sitting or pet visits
You are leaving your pet with family or friends
Your dog has previously escaped or rushed through a door
You have several pets with different routines
Your pet is nervous around visitors
You want clearer emergency information in one place
You are worried that a sitter may not know what to do if plans change
You want a practical second pair of eyes before going away

You do not need to wait until you have a problem.

The aim is to spot manageable gaps and make your arrangements clearer before you need to rely on them.

Preparing for a new rescue dog

The first few days and weeks with a rescue dog can feel overwhelming.

Even a dog who appeared confident at the rescue centre may behave differently once they arrive in a new home.

They may need time to rest, observe and understand their new routine.

During a readiness visit, we can discuss:

Where your dog will sleep and rest
How to create a quiet space
Safe entry and exit routines
Front-door and garden security
The first few walks
Harness, lead and identification arrangements
Introductions to family members
Managing visitors and deliveries
Feeding locations
Children and dog boundaries
Preventing access to unsuitable food or household items
What to do if your dog appears frightened or overwhelmed
Who to contact if you need behaviour or veterinary support

This is not a dog-training session or behaviour consultation.

It is practical preparation based on my experience of living and working with rescue, nervous and sensitive dogs.

You may also be interested in my Rescue dog support in Finchley

Preparing your home for a puppy

Puppies explore with their mouths and can get into things surprisingly quickly.

A puppy readiness visit can help you think about:

Electrical cables
Cleaning products
Food and household waste
Houseplants
Shoes, children’s toys and small objects
Stairs and stair gates
Garden gaps
Ponds and water containers
Safe sleeping and resting areas
Toilet arrangements
Harness and lead storage
Where the puppy will stay when you cannot supervise
A realistic routine for feeding, rest, toilet breaks and short periods alone

I will not tell you that every puppy should follow the same routine.

The visit is designed around your home, your family and the puppy you are preparing for.

Reviewing doors, gates and escape risks

Dogs and cats can escape through surprisingly small gaps or when someone is distracted.

I can help you look at practical points such as:

The route between your pet’s main room and the front door
Whether your dog can reach the door when visitors arrive
Side gates and garden access
Gaps beneath or alongside fencing
Damaged fence panels
Low walls or objects that could help a dog climb
Cat flaps and pet doors
Windows accessible to indoor cats
Shared entrances
Delivery arrangements
Safe handovers between family members and pet carers
Where leads and harnesses are kept
What should happen before an outside door is opened

This is a visual, practical review of accessible areas.

I do not test locks, install equipment, assess boundary ownership or provide a professional security survey. I also cannot guarantee that a determined animal will never escape.

Where specialist repair or security work is needed, you will need to contact an appropriate tradesperson.

Pet identification and important records

Correct identification can make a significant difference if your pet becomes lost.

As part of the visit, I can remind you to check:

Whether microchip information is current
Whether the correct owner and telephone details are registered
Your dog’s collar and identification tag
Recent, clear photographs of your pet
Distinguishing marks
Vet contact details
Insurance information
Vaccination records
Medication names and instructions
Details of anyone authorised to care for your pet
A contact who can act if you cannot be reached

In England, dogs must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks of age. Owned cats must normally be microchipped by 20 weeks of age. Contact information must be kept up to date.

Dogs in public places must also wear a collar displaying the owner’s name and address, either on the collar or on an attached tag.

Your pet’s emergency information

Emergency instructions are most useful when they are clear, up to date and easy to find.

We can review whether your household has recorded:

Your normal veterinary practice
Your preferred emergency veterinary practice
Your pet insurance provider
Your policy number
Medication and dosage instructions
Known allergies
Relevant medical conditions
Feeding information
Behaviour and handling information
Your own contact details
A second emergency contact
Permission for veterinary treatment
Any agreed spending limit for emergency treatment
The location of carriers, leads and medication
Who could care for your pet if you could not return home

I can provide a blank Pet Emergency Information Sheet as part of the visit.

You remain responsible for checking that all information is correct and for updating it when circumstances change.

Optional personalised emergency information pack

I can also organise the information you provide into a personalised digital pet emergency pack.

Add-on price: £25

The pack can include:

Pet names and descriptions
Recent photographs
Microchip information supplied by you
Vet and insurance details
Medication information
Feeding routines
Behaviour and handling notes
Emergency contacts
Temporary care arrangements
Location of essential equipment
A simple emergency action page

The pack is based entirely on the information you provide. I do not independently verify veterinary, insurance, microchip or legal information.

You should keep one copy somewhere accessible and another secure copy that you can access when you are away from home.

Preparing for a pet sitter or house sitter

A good handover involves more than leaving food on the kitchen worktop.

Your sitter may also need to know:

How your pet normally behaves
Where your pet may hide
What can worry or trigger them
Which doors must remain closed
How the garden is secured
Where leads, carriers and cleaning supplies are stored
How food should be prepared
What medication is needed
Which pets must be fed separately
What to do if your pet refuses food
Which visitors or tradespeople may attend
Who holds a spare key
What to do if your return is delayed
Who can make decisions when you cannot be contacted

A readiness visit can help you organise these details before the sitter arrives.

This can make the handover calmer for you, your pet and the person caring for your home.

Get in touch

WhatsApp 07707 763344

Medication and health routines

I can help you make sure that written care information is easy to understand.

This may include recording:

Medication names
Dosage instructions supplied by your vet
Normal administration times
Storage instructions
Repeat prescription arrangements
Signs that the owner has been told to monitor
The vet’s contact information
What the carer should do if medication is refused

I do not prescribe medication, change dosages or interpret veterinary instructions.

Any concerns about your pet’s health must be discussed with a veterinary professional.

Hot-weather and extreme-weather preparation

Weather can change normal routines quickly.

We can discuss practical arrangements for:

Access to fresh water
Shaded resting areas
Closing agreed curtains or blinds
Safe toilet breaks
Avoiding hot rooms
Fans and cooling equipment supplied by you
Changes to walking times
Indoor enrichment
What a pet carer should do if travel is disrupted
Winter access and gritted paths
Towels and cleaning supplies for wet weather
An alternative care contact if conditions prevent a planned visit

Products such as cooling mats, fans and frozen enrichment should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and only where suitable for your pet.

Planning for an unexpected absence

Most people plan carefully for holidays.

Fewer people consider what would happen if they were taken ill, delayed at work or unable to return home overnight.

Your arrangements might include:

A trusted person who can enter your home
A clearly labelled spare key
Written feeding and medication instructions
Permission to contact your vet
A temporary carer
A backup carer
A plan for collecting medication or food
A suitable carrier for each cat or small animal
Leads and harnesses stored together
Enough essential supplies for several days
An emergency contact who knows your pet
A plan if your usual carer is unavailable

The aim is not to prepare for every possible event.

It is to ensure that another trusted person can provide safe, basic care without having to guess.

Emergency evacuation preparation

You may occasionally need to leave your home quickly because of a fire, gas leak, flood or another emergency.

It can help to know:

Where each pet carrier is kept
Whether carriers are easy to reach
Where leads and harnesses are stored
Which pet may hide when frightened
How several pets would be moved
Where you could take your pets temporarily
Who could help with transport
Which medication and records should come with you
What essential food and supplies are available
Who should be contacted if you are away

I can help you identify questions that need answering.

I do not provide a professional fire-risk assessment, emergency services plan, or building evacuation assessment.

Always follow instructions from the emergency services and never put yourself at risk by attempting to retrieve an animal.

Why book the visit with me?

I have provided professional dog walking and in-home pet care since 2011.

Much of my work involves rescue dogs, nervous pets, older animals and households where routine and consistency matter.

I am:

Fully insured
Enhanced DBS checked through The Scout Association
Trained in Level 3 Ofqual-regulated canine first aid
Experienced with rescue, nervous and sensitive dogs
Used to working in clients’ homes
Focused on calm, one-to-one care

My Scout leadership experience has also taught me the value of planning, clear communication, practical risk awareness, and having a backup plan when the normal plan changes.

Before Finchley Dog Walker, I spent many years working in a private investigation and security office. That experience taught me to handle information carefully, follow clear procedures and pay attention to small practical details.

This does not include a formal security inspection.

It does mean I understand why access instructions, emergency contacts, accurate records and dependable routines matter.

Find out more about me

What happens during the visit?

Before the appointment

I will ask you to complete a short information form.

This helps me understand:

Which pets live in the home
Why you have requested the visit
Whether a new pet is arriving
Any areas that particularly concern you
Whether you are preparing for a holiday or sitter
Any relevant medical or behavioural information

During the appointment

We will walk through the relevant parts of your home and discuss your pet’s normal routine.

I will ask questions, point out practical considerations and make notes for your checklist.

Your pet can be present if this is safe and comfortable for them.

After the appointment

You will receive a written checklist divided into three sections:

Priority actions
Useful improvements
Points to keep under review

The checklist may also include links to suitable veterinary, behaviour, welfare or government information.

What the service does not include

The Pet and Home Readiness Visit is not:

A veterinary examination
A behaviour consultation
A dog-training session
A professional security survey
An alarm or CCTV inspection
A locksmith service
A fire-risk assessment
A building or structural survey
An electrical or gas inspection
A legal compliance inspection
A guarantee that your pet cannot escape
A substitute for suitable insurance
An emergency response service

I will only make visual observations in areas you have asked me to review.

I will not move heavy furniture, climb ladders, test electrical equipment, handle hazardous materials or dismantle household fittings.

Where I believe specialist advice is needed, I will explain this and suggest the appropriate professional to contact.

Areas covered

Pet and Home Readiness Visits are available in:

North Finchley
Finchley Central
East Finchley
Muswell Hill
Nearby parts of Finchley and North London that fit my existing service area

I keep my service area fairly local so that appointments remain reliable and manageable.

Visits outside my usual area may be considered on an individual basis.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a professional home security survey?

No.

I can point out practical pet-related concerns involving doors, gates, access routines and written instructions. I do not assess alarms, locks, CCTV systems, crime risk or the physical security of a building.

Can you tell me whether my dog has a behaviour problem?

I can discuss what you have observed and help with practical household arrangements.

I do not diagnose behaviour problems. Where appropriate, I may recommend speaking to your vet or a properly qualified clinical animal behaviourist.

Can I book before my rescue dog or puppy comes home?

Yes.

In many cases, the visit is most useful before the animal arrives because you still have time to make practical changes.

Please provide as much information as the breeder, rescue organisation or current carer has given you.

Does my pet need to be present?

Not necessarily.

A visit before a new pet arrives can still be useful. If your existing pet is nervous around visitors, we can discuss the safest arrangement before I attend.

Can you review a garden?

I can visually review accessible fences, gates and common escape points from a pet-care perspective.

I cannot confirm boundary ownership, assess structural condition or guarantee that a garden is escape-proof.

Can you visit a rented property?

Yes, provided that you have permission to keep the pet and understand that changes to gates, fencing or fittings may require approval from your landlord or managing agent.

Can you help with several pets?

Yes.

The standard price is per household. Additional time may be needed where several pets have different feeding, medication, separation or emergency arrangements.

Can I add this to a house-sitting booking?

Yes, subject to availability.

It can be particularly useful before your first house-sitting booking because it helps organise care information and identify anything that needs attention before you leave.

What happens if you notice something urgent?

I will tell you clearly.

Where there is an immediate health concern, you should contact your vet. For problems involving locks, wiring, gas, fire safety, fencing or the building, you should contact an appropriately qualified professional.

Book a Pet and Home Readiness Visit

The Pet and Home Readiness Visit costs £75 per household.

It includes:

A pre-visit information form
Up to 60 minutes in your home
A practical review
A personalised written checklist
A blank Pet Emergency Information Sheet

Optional personalised emergency information pack: £25

Additional 30 minutes: £25

To enquire, please tell me:

Your postcode
The pets living in your home
Why you would like the visit
Whether a new pet is arriving
Any particular concerns
Your preferred days and times

Appointments depend on location and availability.

WhatsApp: 07707 763344
Email: info@finchleydogwalker.co.uk

Important information

This service provides practical, general guidance based on the information available during the visit.

It does not replace advice from a vet, qualified animal behaviourist, trainer, locksmith, fire-safety professional, security specialist, building professional or other suitably qualified person.

You remain responsible for your pet, your property, any decisions you make and the accuracy of the information you provide.

Get in touch

WhatsApp 07707 763344

Updated June 2026.