Every time Jocko’s mom drives up to my place, Jocko sees me and can’t wait to run into my arms, wagging his tail to say hello — and after that greeting, he always pees in the bushes out front. To me, Jocko has “come home again.” I’ve been caring for Jocko for his family for two years now. Not long after I became a pet sitter on Fluv, Jocko became my second fur kid. I’ve watched him go from a ridiculously clingy little guy fresh out of adoption (who genuinely loved to fart) to a mature big boy with much less separation anxiety — we even figured out his farting was caused by food allergies. He’s really grown up.

This is Jocko and my dog Skye taking over my bed together, sleeping so soundly I just couldn’t bring myself to wake them. Looks like I’m stuck on the sofa.

Choosing the right pet boarding: how do you balance pet hotel prices with quality of care?

The secret to being the very best pet sitter or pet hotel is actually pretty simple: every dog I care for, I treat like family. I look after them as if they were my own fur kids. My other two regulars, “Kaka” and “Cai Ge,” I see about once a month — and they stay a little longer during long weekends and holidays. They’re my fur kids too. No matter how long they stay, my home is their home. They look forward to visiting, and when I send them back to their parents, I always make sure they’re healthy and happy. After 7 years of pet sitting experience in both the US and Taiwan, here are some tips for finding the right pet sitter or pet hotel.

How to find the right pet hotel, pet boarding, or pet sitter

The most efficient way to find suitable pet boarding, pet accommodation, a pet hotel, or a pet sitter is to search on the Fluv platform. You can enter your pet’s details and search for the service you need — whether that’s doggy daycare, pet boarding, in-home care, dog walking, and more. If you’re looking for a new boarding option, you can search by your preferred dates and location.

From there, the search results will show you a basic overview of pet sitters or pet hotels matching your needs — including their name, photos, distance, and nightly or daily rate. Once you click into a listing, you can see more environment photos, experience details, and most importantly, user reviews. Personally, I care most about the environment photos and reviews — that’s what helps pet owners compare pet sitters and pet hotels properly.

Choosing the best pet hotel, pet boarding, or pet sitter

Once you find a listing you like, you can tap “Request to book” to contact the sitter. The system will automatically send an introductory message — and there’s no charge at this stage, so don’t worry. You can chat with the pet sitter first to work out the care details, and if schedules allow, arrange a free meet-and-greet visit to see the space in person with your dog.

Quick tip: If your dog is friendly and easy to care for, you can go over the care details when you meet the sitter for the first time. But if your dog has special needs — like separation anxiety or needs medication — it’s a good idea to communicate this with the sitter in advance to make sure they have the experience to handle it.

Meeting your pet sitter or pet hotel sitter for the first time

A meet-and-greet visit is an important step before booking a boarding service, especially when it’s your first time with a particular pet sitter. It helps both sides know exactly what to look out for when your dog is staying over.

I’ve hosted many meet-and-greet visits myself. I show new pet owners around the space so they can see where their dog will play, sleep, and spend their time. I also ask lots of detailed questions about the dog — eating habits, what they normally eat, any allergies, medications or supplements, other special needs, and daily routines (how many walks a day, nap habits, playtime frequency).

Quick tip: If your pet likes napping on the sofa or sleeping in bed with people, feel free to ask the sitter whether that’s okay. That way your dog can feel truly at home.

Introducing your dog

During the visit, just as important as getting to know the pet sitter is getting to know any dogs they already have at home. I have a 5kg mixed-breed named Skye — she’s a bit of a barker but very friendly and loves making dog friends.

Quick tip: Dogs are territorial, so it’s best to meet for the first time at a nearby park before heading inside the home.

What I usually do is meet the pet owners outside the house first, let my dog and their dog get acquainted — sniff each other out — and then head home together. Once inside, I take off the leash and let the new dog sniff around, explore, and get comfortable with the space.

What about other dogs?

Open communication is really important. Feel free to ask whatever questions you need — a good pet sitter will be happy to answer them.

Quick tip: Ask the sitter whether other dogs will be staying at the same time, and what the maximum number of dogs in the space would be at once. Some pet hotels or sitters have large spaces of 60 ping or more; others are cozy 20-ping apartments. Don’t worry though — an experienced sitter will manage the situation well. That said, if your dog doesn’t get along with other dogs, do confirm this with the sitter before booking.

FAQ | Pet hotel prices and boarding — how do you choose?

Q1: What’s the typical price range for a pet hotel, and does it go up during holidays?
A: Most pet hotels charge around NT$600–1,200 per night. During Lunar New Year or long weekends, prices may rise to NT$1,500 or more. It’s worth asking about any holiday surcharge policies before booking.

Q2: Is a pet sitter cheaper than a pet hotel?
A: Pet sitters on Fluv typically charge around NT$400–1,000 per day, which is often more flexible than some pet hotels. Most also offer one-on-one care, making them a great fit for shy dogs or those with separation anxiety.

Q3: How do I know if a pet hotel or sitter is a good fit for my dog?
A: Check the environment photos and owner reviews on Fluv. A free meet-and-greet visit is highly recommended — it lets you see the space firsthand, observe how your dog interacts there, and confirm the care approach and pricing feel right.

The whole point of a meet-and-greet is to give pet owners peace of mind before handing over their fur kid. I always come prepared, show my experience, and make sure every question is answered. To find the best pet hotel or pet sitter for your needs, download Fluv and start searching.

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