Book Thanksgiving pet sitting by early October and Christmas or New Year's pet sitting by late October to guarantee a spot, since holiday weeks fill up faster than any other time of year. We don't charge holiday surcharges, so the rate you'd pay on a random Tuesday is the same rate you'll pay on Christmas Eve.

Holiday weeks are our busiest stretch of the year, and they fill up fast. Every year we watch the same pattern: families wait until two weeks before Thanksgiving to start looking for a pet sitter, and by then, the good ones are already booked solid. Here's how to plan ahead, and what to actually expect from holiday pet sitting once it's booked.

When to book

Thanksgiving: Book by early October. Thanksgiving week is short, travel is concentrated into a handful of days, and demand for pet sitting spikes hard in that window.

Christmas and New Year's: Book by late October. This stretch is longer, often a full week or two of travel plans layered on top of each other, so sitters and walkers get reserved even earlier than Thanksgiving.

If you're reading this and your holiday trip is already less than a month away, call us anyway. We'll do what we can, but earlier is always better for guaranteeing your preferred sitter and schedule.

Our no-surcharge policy

A lot of pet care companies add 50% to 100% on top of their normal rate for holiday bookings. We don't. Whatever you'd pay for a walk or a visit on a regular week in July is what you'll pay on Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Day. No holiday surcharges, no exceptions, no fine print. It's one of the differences clients mention most often in our 155+ Five-Star Google Reviews.

We think charging families more to care for their dog on the one week they most need reliable help is backwards, so we simply don't do it.

What holiday pet sitting actually includes

Depending on your travel plans, holiday pet sitting can look a couple different ways:

Drop-in visits. We come to your home on a set schedule, feed your dog, refresh water, handle a walk or backyard time, administer any medication, and send a photo report card so you know everything's on track while you're away.

Overnight stays. For longer trips or dogs who do better with consistent overnight company, a sitter stays in your home overnight, keeping your dog's routine as close to normal as possible instead of leaving them alone for long stretches.

Both options come with the same team you'd trust for a regular walk: fully insured and bonded, CPR and First Aid Certified, and assigned consistently so your dog isn't meeting a new face during an already disrupted week.

Tips for a smooth holiday booking

• Confirm your travel dates as early as possible, even if they're not 100% final yet
• Leave detailed notes on feeding schedule, medication, and any quirks your dog has around visitors or noise (fireworks and holiday gatherings can spook some dogs)
• Make sure your emergency vet contact is up to date in case anything comes up while you're away
• If your dog is anxious around holiday noise or houseguests, mention it. We adjust our approach for dogs who need a calmer routine during a loud week

Why early booking matters more than people think

The families who wait until the last minute usually end up with one of two outcomes: a sitter they've never met before, or no sitter at all and a scramble to find last-minute boarding. Neither is a great way to start a holiday trip. Booking six to eight weeks out means your dog gets the same familiar face they'd get any other week, just during a stretch when routine matters even more.

We've been serving Morris County since 2022, and we'd rather help you plan ahead than scramble to squeeze you in on December 23rd.

Ready to book? Call (908) 340-0078 or visit pupsandrecreation.com for a free meet-and-greet.

Pups and Recreation is a family-owned dog walking and pet sitting business headquartered in Wharton, NJ. Serving Morris County since 2022.