Pets who need extra care
How long can you leave a dog alone? Hours at home, nights and vacations
Most adult dogs should be alone no more than about four hours. What that means for a workday, a night away, a vacation, puppies and senior dogs.
Stay, Sit, Snuggle and BLOG!
All guides
Island pet safety
Storm season pet emergency plan for Vancouver Island (power outages, kits and vets)
A pet emergency plan for BC storm season: the PreparedBC kit list, what to do in a power outage, and after-hours vets in Nanaimo and the Comox Valley.
Choosing care
How to choose a pet sitter: 12 questions to ask before you book
The questions to ask a pet sitter, dog sitter or cat sitter before you book, with a printable list and what a good answer sounds like.
Pets who need extra care
How long can you leave a cat alone? 2 days, 3 days and a week
Most adult cats can be alone for about 12 hours. What to arrange for 2 days, 3 days or a week away, and why a person beats an automatic feeder.
Leaving the Island
How far ahead should you book a pet sitter? A holiday guide for 2026-27
Book a pet sitter as soon as your dates are firm. The 2026-27 school breaks and B.C. holidays for Nanaimo, Ladysmith and the Comox Valley.
Pet gear
Dog scared of fireworks? How to calm dogs and cats, plus gear that can help
Dog scared of fireworks? How to calm a dog or cat on Halloween and New Year's: a safe den, ID, calming gear, when to call the vet, and local fireworks rules.
Pet gear
Dog Halloween costumes: comfort-first picks for dogs and cats, plus safety tips
Dog Halloween costume ideas that put comfort first, from capes and wings to costumes for big and wide-chested dogs, plus cat options and safety tips.
Choosing care
How to find a pet sitter you can trust: a step-by-step guide
How to find a trustworthy pet sitter in B.C.: where to look, what to check, how to read references, the meet and greet, a trial sit and red flags.
The handover
Pet sitter checklist: what to leave for your pet sitter
A pet sitter checklist you can copy: contacts, vet and emergency clinic, food, medication, routines, fears and house notes, plus Vancouver Island extras.
Going away? Ask about your dates
Send your dates, your town and a note about your pets. Darcie will reply to confirm availability and set up a meet and greet.