Fort Collins, Colorado
Pet sitting in Fort Collins, CO
I'm Sarah Anderson, an independent pet sitter based in Fort Collins. For more than ten years I've fed, walked, medicated, brushed and quietly sat on the kitchen floor with other people's animals — dogs, cats, birds, horses, chickens, goats and a few opinionated donkeys.
When you book with me, you get one sitter: the same person at every visit, who already knows where the leash hangs and which cat hides under the porch. No rotating strangers, no app account to create, no booking fees skimmed off the top.
Most families reach out a week or two before a trip, but holidays and summer weekends fill up first. Call or text your dates and you'll usually hear back the same day with an honest quote.
What in-home pet sitting looks like
In-home pet sitting means your animals never leave the house they know. Same bed, same bowls, same window with the same squirrel outside it. For most pets — especially seniors, anxious dogs and cats who dislike car rides — that alone removes the biggest source of stress about you being gone.
A standard drop-in visit runs 30 to 60 minutes. I don't watch the clock at the expense of your pet: if your dog needs an extra ten minutes to settle, he gets it.
- Fresh food and water, measured to your instructions
- Potty breaks, neighborhood walks or backyard play
- Litter boxes scooped, cages and coops cleaned, tanks topped off
- Medications — oral, topical, eye drops, and insulin injections
- Mail and packages brought in, lights and blinds rotated, plants watered
- A short text update with photos after every single visit
Services available in Fort Collins
| Service | Best for | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-in visit | Cats, dogs who tolerate alone time, small pets | 30–60 minutes |
| Mid-day dog walk | Work days, puppies, high-energy dogs | 30–45 minutes |
| Overnight stay in your home | Dogs who can't be alone at night, house security | Evening through morning |
| Boarding in my home | Social dogs who settle better with company | Full stay |
| Farm & barn chores | Horses, chickens, goats, ducks, donkeys | Morning and evening |
| Extended trip care | Travel over 5 days (discounted rate) | Daily, ongoing |
Fort Collins neighborhoods I sit in
I cover Fort Collins end to end: Old Town and the Historic Northside, Campus West and the CSU area, Midtown, Harmony and Timberline, Fossil Creek, Horsetooth, Rigden Farm, Observatory Village, Richards Lake, Maple Hill, Trail Head and the country properties out toward Laporte, Bellvue and Masonville.
If you're farther out in Larimer County, just ask. I'm often happy to make the drive, especially for barn animals.
Why families choose an independent sitter over an app
Booking platforms are convenient right up until the moment something goes wrong. You're matched with whoever is available, communication happens through a support queue, and a slice of every dollar goes to the platform instead of the care.
With me, your first contact and your sitter are the same phone number. You'll meet me before you leave, you'll have my cell while you're gone, and you'll get photos rather than a checkbox.
- One consistent sitter, not a rotating roster
- 10+ years of hands-on experience with everything from puppies to pasture animals
- References available on request
- No app, no account, no booking fee
- Same-day replies to calls and texts, in most cases
- Discounted rates for trips longer than five days
How to book
- Text or call with your dates, your pets and your address.
- I confirm availability and send an honest quote — usually the same day.
- We meet at your home so your pets can get my scent and I can learn the routine.
- You hand off a key, garage code or lock code, whichever feels safest.
- You travel. I send photos after every visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does pet sitting cost in Fort Collins?
It depends on how many animals you have, what kind of care they need, and how long you're away. A single drop-in for one cat is very different from twice-daily barn chores. Call or text and I'll quote it honestly, usually the same day. Trips over five days get a discount.
Do you stay overnight in my home?
Yes. Overnight stays are the most popular option for dogs who don't do well alone at night, and it means your house is lived-in while you're gone — lights on, mail in, someone there.
Can my pets stay at your home instead?
They can. Some animals settle better in a quiet house with company all day, so boarding in my home is available alongside in-home sitting.
How far in advance should I book?
As soon as you know your travel dates. Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break and summer weekends fill first, but I can often accommodate last-minute requests too — it never hurts to ask.
Are you insured or bonded?
I'm an independent sitter, not an agency. What I offer instead is a decade of local references, a meet-and-greet before you commit, and complete transparency about how your keys and codes are handled. Ask and I'll put you in touch with families I've sat for.
Let's get your dates on the calendar
Call or text with your travel dates and I'll usually reply the same day with an honest quote — no apps, no accounts, no booking fees.
Keep reading