Tales & Tips From A Passionate Pet Sitter
The things we do for our pets
“From a young age, I’ve always loved animals–I was the kid who helped my childhood cat give birth, drew blueprints for a multi-story pet rescue hotel in kindergarten, & wanted to save every stray I saw.”
But it wasn’t until her early twenties when Jayme Frady, pet sitter, social media influencer, and life-long animal lover, rescued her own dog and cat. And that’s when she truly began to understand the depth of the bond we can have with these special animals.
She quickly realized that Motley (dog) and Stella (cat) depended on her for literally everything–nutrition, exercise, enrichment, safety, comfort…
And from that point on, she took her “proud pet mom” role very seriously.
Since pets always felt like family to her, they were loved and cared for from the moment they stepped paws into her home. They were her entire world.
But then, her “crazy” pet parent instincts kicked into overdrive, and like many of us, she fully embraced them.
So what does being a "crazy pet parent" look like?
Here’s just a few ways:
🐾 I prepare their meals before mine and design my dog’s slow feeder like it’s a work of art
🐾 I chose my car based on how comfortably my large dog could relax on road trips
🐾 I bought my cat a pet stroller for vet visits so she can ride in comfort to her cardiologist (we even grab breakfast together)
🐾 I’ve placed bedding options in nearly every room so they can lounge wherever I go
“…I could go on, but I’ll leave it at this: anyone who says being a pet mom ‘isn’t real’ has never loved an animal like I do.”
We definitely agree!
Sharing the love of pets online
“I lead with honesty and heart. In a world full of curated highlight reels, I believe in being truthful about what I genuinely use and love.”
Since Jayme’s all about sharing her experiences as a pet mom with others who can relate, she decided to create posts about her journey on social media.
Her content and eye for editing made it easy to build up a small following of engaged, fellow crazy pet parents who loved her authenticity and relatability.
And as she began spoiling her pets with different products, she thought it would be nice to share her thoughts on those with the community she built.
“I don’t promote every product I receive. If a product is part of our routine–whether daily, weekly, or monthly–and brings real value, that’s what I’ll share. I’m here to serve the pet parent community with products that help us love our pets even better.”
Caring for others’ pets like they’re her own
“I was always the family sitter growing up, but it didn’t click that I could turn it into something real until 2023.”
When she founded Frady’s Fur Friends, she had one goal in mind: to give other pet parents peace of mind by offering the same love, trust, and care she gives to her own animals—especially in the comfort of their own homes.
“As someone with an anxious dog, the idea of boarding him in a loud, unfamiliar place is out of the question. I knew other pet parents felt the same.”
She knew building one-on-one trust with both the pet and the parent would be a main priority, so it’s at the heart of what she does. When a pet’s favorite humans are away, she understands the importance of doing everything she can to make them feel just as loved and safe.
When they feel safe, their true personality shines through!
“At first, Otto paced & barked constantly. By the end of our time together, he was napping beside me, letting me hold him, and showing signs of deep comfort.
Watching him transform from anxious to trusting was one of those moments that reminds me why I do this work. When a pet chooses you, it’s magic.”
Prioritizing trust is exactly why super-anxious pups, like Otto, can open up and feel comfortable with other humans.
When Jayme enters a new home, she doesn’t bring fear or force–she brings empathy. And this is something we can keep in mind too, when introducing ourselves to a new pet or bringing a new pet home.
“I know I’m stepping into the space of someone they love deeply, and I treat that with respect.
I let Otto come to me, offering him calm energy, patience, and love.”
So, what makes a great pet sitter...
And what red flags should we look out for?
After spending a lifetime of caring for pets and now, taking on clients’ needs in her own business, Jayme’s got a pretty good idea of what makes for an incredible pet sitter–and what to be wary of when choosing your own.
Look for:
✅ Genuine animal connection
Watch how they interact with your pet at a meet-and-greet. Are they gentle, calm, and able to read your pet’s body language? Do they ask thoughtful questions?
✅ Experience and references
Even newer sitters should be able to explain their approach and show care in how they present themselves. Positive reviews are always a plus.
✅ Great communication
You should feel comfortable asking for updates. A good sitter will gladly send daily photos, videos, and notes about your pet’s behavior.
✅ Pet health knowledge
While not required, a sitter who knows how to handle emergencies like choking, seizures, or allergic reactions is a huge bonus.
✅ Customized care
Every pet is different. A sitter who adapts to your pet’s schedule, diet, exercise, and quirks shows they truly care.
Red flags:
🚩 Dismissiveness
If a sitter seems irritated by your care instructions or doesn’t follow them closely, they may not be the right fit.
🚩 Lack of curiosity
A sitter who doesn’t ask about feeding, potty habits, or behavior triggers might not be prepared for your pet’s unique needs.
🚩 Avoids meet & greets
Unless it’s a specific request from the pet owner (which can sometimes happen with shy cats), refusing a meet & greet is a red flag.
🚩 Inconsistent reviews or no clear experience
A lack of details in their profile or repeated negative patterns in reviews is reason enough to keep looking.
