Small Animal Sitting

Small Animal Care Services

Small animals may be tiny, but their care needs are anything but small. At Vet Tech Pet Services, we understand the unique routines, diets, and behavioural needs of pocket pets and exotics.

Led by a Registered Veterinary Technician and backed by over 15 years of hands-on experience, our small animal services provide thoughtful, species-appropriate care whether your pet stays with us for boarding or remains comfortable at home with scheduled visits.

From rabbits and guinea pigs to hamsters, rats (a personal fave!), and other small companions, we prioritize gentle handling, careful monitoring, and enrichment that supports both physical health and emotional well-being.

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Who is this for

Species We Care For

We are experienced in caring for a wide range of small animal species, including:

Small & Fuzzy Critters:

Pocket Pets (20+ years of experience, including our personal fave- RATS)

Rabbits

Guinea Pigs

Ferrets

Chinchillas

Other Species:

Select Birds (depending on setup and care needs)

Small Reptiles (Bearded Dragons, Geckos, Snakes*)

*We do not live feed snakes*

Ideal For:

Species We Care For

Our small animal care services are ideal for:

Vacation care
Medical or special needs support
Cleaning & enrichment visits
Social species needing interaction

✔️ Daily Care & Comfort

Feeding according to your pet’s established diet and schedule
Fresh water replenishment and dish maintenance
Gentle interaction and enrichment appropriate for your pet’s temperament
Monitoring comfort, behaviour, and activity levels

✔️ Habitat & Cleanliness

Spot cleaning of enclosures and litter areas
Bedding or substrate refresh as needed
Full enclosure cleaning when required or requested
Maintaining a safe, tidy environment that supports health and hygiene

✔️ Health Monitoring & Observation

Small animals often hide illness, so attentive observation is an important part of care. We monitor:

Appetite and food intake
Droppings and urination patterns
Energy levels and mobility
Behavioural or physical changes

Any concerns are communicated promptly so you can stay informed and supported.

✔️ Medication & Special Needs Support

When required, we can provide:

Oral and topical medications
Select injectable medications (case-by-case)
Supportive care such as syringe feeding or basic medical monitoring

Care plans are customized to your pet’s needs and discussed in advance.

✔️ Updates & Communication

Visit updates with notes and photos
Communication regarding any changes or concerns
Peace of mind knowing your pet’s routine and well-being are being monitored

Critter Sitter (30 Min)

Paws & Play (45 Min)

From $30 per Visit plus HST

Our most common visit length, allowing time for feeding, enclosure maintenance, basic cleaning, enrichment, and wellness monitoring.

Ideal for routine daily care for 1–3 small pets.

Paws & Play (45 Min)

From $35 per Visit plus HST

An extended visit suitable for multi-pet households, larger or more complex enclosures, deeper cleaning, or pets requiring additional interaction or medical support.

Available Timeframes

Anytime Visit 9 am - 9 pm

Morning 7 am - 10 am

Afternoon 4 pm - 6 pm

Evening 7 pm - 9 pm

Daily Visits to your home

Minimum one visit per calendar day for small animals.

We can visit your home up to 4 times per day.

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Additional Fees

Please reach out to us at info@vettechpetservices.ca if you require additional information

New Client Consultation

After collecting initial information and confirming availability, new clients are scheduled for an Initial Consultation.

This meeting is an important introduction that allows us to review routines, home access, and care expectations while ensuring your pet feels comfortable with their caregiver.

During the consultation, we will:
• Meet you and your pet(s)
• Review visit routines and home details
• Answer questions about services and scheduling
• Collect and test two house keys or review lockbox access

Services begin once this meeting has taken place.

A consultation fee of $25 (+ HST) applies to support administrative time and caregiver scheduling.

Key Pick Up/Drop Off

Vet Tech Pet Services requires two (2) working keys or two methods of entry whenever possible to support scheduling flexibility and emergency preparedness.

We understand that this may not always be feasible in apartments or secured buildings. In these cases, alternative access arrangements can be discussed during your consultation, such as:

• Lockbox access
• Concierge or building entry procedures
• Temporary key exchange planning
• Caregiver coordination

Clients may choose from the following key handling options:

1️⃣ Keys Kept on File

Keys may be securely stored on file for future visits.

2️⃣ Key Pick-Up or Return

Key pick-up or drop-off can be arranged for a fee of $25 (+ HST) to help cover caregiver time and travel.

If keys are requested to be returned by mail, a key return fee plus Canada Post postage will be billed.

3️⃣ Lockbox Access

Clients may provide a lockbox, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. Lockboxes offer convenient access while reducing the need for additional key visits.

Vet Tech Pet Services does not offer a central key drop-off or pick up location. All key exchanges are arranged by appointment based on caregiver availability.

Holidays

$10.00 per visit* (+ Regular Visit Rate) on the following:

Family Day

Good Friday

Easter Sunday

Victoria Day

Canada Day

August Civic Holiday

Labour Day

Thanksgiving

*Fee will apply to days preceeding and following if the Holiday falls on a weekend

Peak Holidays (Christmas/New Years)

$20.00 per visit* (+ Regular Visit Rate) on the following:

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Boxing Day

New Years Eve

New Years Day

*Fee will apply to days preceeding and following if the Holiday falls on a weekend

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@vettechpetservices.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.

do you care for rats?

HECK YES!

Yes — rats are one of our favourite species to work with. We are comfortable handling, cleaning, and monitoring multi-rat households, including bonded groups

We regularly care for rats, along with rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, and select small reptiles. Small animals are not an afterthought in our business — they are a dedicated service.

is a consultation required before visits begin?

Yes.

An initial consultation is required for all in-home small animal visits. This allows us to review enclosure setup, feeding routines, medication instructions (if applicable), and securely manage home access details before services begin.

how often do small animals need visits?

We require a minimum of one visit per calendar day for small animals.

Many species benefit from daily monitoring to ensure appetite, droppings, hydration, and behaviour remain normal. Additional visits per day can be arranged if needed.

can visits be scheduled at an exact time?

Visits are scheduled within timeframes (morning, afternoon, evening), not at guaranteed exact times.

Medical or time-sensitive care will be prioritized within appropriate windows as discussed during booking.

can you administer medication?

Yes.

We can administer eye, ear, oral & topical medications where appropriate. Visit length may be adjusted depending on the level of care required.

do you provide nail trims?

Yes — nail trims can be arranged as an add-on service during visits.

what's included in a visit?

Visits include feeding, fresh water, enclosure spot cleaning, wellness monitoring, medication administration (if needed), and updates with notes and photos.

Longer visits can be arranged for multi-pet households or deeper cleaning needs.

will i receive updates?

Yes.

We provide visit updates with notes and photos so you can stay informed while you're away. Updates are typically sent once daily following your scheduled visit.

On particularly busy days, during extended care visits, or in the event of emergencies, updates may be sent later in the day. Rest assured, all visits are completed as scheduled and documented in our system.

Getting Started

Need To Know

Contact Us/Request Service

• All new clients require an Initial Consultation ($25 + HST) prior to the start of services
• Visits are scheduled within service windows rather than exact clock times
• A deposit is required to confirm and secure booking dates
• Two methods of entry are preferred whenever possible to support scheduling flexibility
• Medical or complex care needs may require longer visits or additional planning

Our focus is safe, unrushed care tailored to each pet’s routine and comfort level.

Contact Us/Request Service

Ready to get started?

Submit your request through our contact form with your dates, pet details, and care needs. We’ll confirm availability, answer any questions, and guide you through the next steps.

MOBILE VETERINARY TECHNICIAN & PET CARE SERVICES IN OTTAWA, ON SINCE 2010

Small Animal Visits in Ottawa, ON

Small Animal Care Services

Who is this for

Species We Care For

Species We Care For

Species We Care For

Ideal For:

Species We Care For

Species We Care For

What's Included in Our Small Animal Care

✔️ Daily Care & Comfort

✔️ Habitat & Cleanliness

✔️ Health Monitoring & Observation

✔️ Medication & Special Needs Support

✔️ Updates & Communication

Small Animal Drop In Rates

Critter Sitter (30 Min)

Paws & Play (45 Min)

Paws & Play (45 Min)

Paws & Play (45 Min)

Available Timeframes

Available Timeframes

Additional Fees

1️⃣ Keys Kept on File

2️⃣ Key Pick-Up or Return

3️⃣ Lockbox Access

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Need To Know

Contact Us/Request Service

Contact Us/Request Service

Contact Us/Request Service

Contact Us/Request Service

Contact Us/Request Service