Following the death of a dog in the care of a dog-sitting service, a veterinary surgeon has shared the one key question pet owners should ask before leaving their animal with a sitter.
Model and influencer Madeleine White Fedyk handed her dog, Dunkin, to a dog-sitting and training service. She took to Instagram this week, claiming Dunkin died while in the care of the company. Details of the incident remain unclear, but she said: 'Within 48 hours we received a call that [Dunkin] had been training at the park in an extreme heat wave.' She added that he was 'transferred to a dog boarding facility we never approved of' and later 'passed away from heat exhaustion somewhere along the way.' She also said: 'He was never even taken to a vet… we are absolutely broken.'
The key question to ask
Veterinary surgeon Dr Marc Abraham told Metro the key question is: 'What would you do if my dog suddenly became sick or injured while I'm away?' He says pet sitters should always have a plan if things go wrong, and be able to act quickly and efficiently to protect your pet.
'They should have a plan for illness, injury, escape (as well as fire and other emergencies) and should know which vet practice they would use,' Dr Marc added. If they can't answer this question effectively, they might not be the sitter for you.
Follow-up questions to consider
Dr Marc also suggested some follow-up questions in the event of a health emergency for your pet. These include: which vet would they contact? The sitter should have a vet lined up for emergencies, and ideally would contact your own vet, where your pet's records are. Before you leave, they should insist on writing down your vet's details, your emergency contact, any relevant medication and/or medical information, plus clear instructions about what you authorise in an emergency.
Other questions include: how would they reach you? All good sitters need to ensure they have your contact details to hand and a plan of contact, plus a back-up point of contact if you're unavailable. Are they comfortable making an urgent decision if waiting for you could put your dog at risk? And how would they handle the practical side of getting your dog to a vet? Does your sitter have a car or access to one? Are they able to physically lift a larger and heavier dog?
Checklist for choosing a reputable service
Dr Marc shares a checklist every pet owner should consider before leaving their animal in someone else's care. Check licensing requirements – in the UK, arranging dog or cat boarding generally requires an animal-activity licence, so ask to see the current licence and verify it with the local council. Visit before booking, looking for secure doors and gates, clean and comfortable sleeping areas, appropriate separation between animals, and no obvious hazards.
Ask about staff experience and training – they should understand animal behaviour, handling, feeding, hygiene, illness, and first aid. Check insurance, asking specifically whether their insurance covers your pet, including veterinary treatment and accidents. Ask for references and reviews, and don't rely solely on testimonials on the sitter's own website. Ask detailed questions about daily care – how often pets are fed, exercised, toileted, and supervised, whether dogs are mixed together, and where animals are kept overnight. Make sure they understand your animal – discuss medications, allergies, behaviour, fears, dietary requirements, exercise needs, and interactions with other animals.
Finally, trust your instincts. Avoid anyone who refuses a visit, won't provide references or insurance info, seems evasive about licensing, has too many animals for the available staff and space, or pressures you to book immediately.
