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Pet Sitting and Dog Walking in Ocala, FL
Going away for the weekend, working long shifts or recovering from surgery? Call us and we will pass your request to an independent pet sitter or dog walker who covers your part of Ocala and Marion County. We do not send our own staff. The sitter you choose sets the price and is responsible for the care.
Call Now (352) 443-5254 or request a callback
- Free to call; you pay only the pet sitter you choose
- Independent local pet sitters set their own prices and openings
- Ocala, Belleview, Dunnellon, The Villages area and all of Marion County
Pet sitting options
- Drop-in visits: a sitter comes to your home once or several times a day to feed, give fresh water, let dogs out, scoop litter and spend some time with your pets.
- Dog walking: a midday walk or potty break while you are at work, on a regular schedule or as needed.
- Overnight care: the sitter stays in your home overnight, so your pets keep their routine and the house is not empty.
- Medication and special care: some sitters are comfortable giving pills, eye drops or insulin, or caring for senior pets and pets recovering from surgery. Ask first.
Pet sitting is not just for dogs. Many sitters also care for cats, birds, small pets and, on Ocala's farm properties, sometimes chickens or other animals. Mention every animal when you call.
Dog walking in Ocala
From May to October, Ocala afternoons are hot and humid, and pavement can get hot enough to hurt a dog's paws. Many walkers shift summer walks to early morning or evening and keep them short for flat-faced breeds, seniors and heavy-coated dogs. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so ask how a walker handles storms and nervous dogs. If your dog is reactive on leash or pulls hard, say so up front. A walker who knows that can plan quieter routes, and a dog trainer can help with the pulling itself.
Overnight and in-home care
Some pets do better at home than in a kennel: older dogs, cats, anxious pets, and dogs who do not get along with other dogs. Overnight care keeps them in familiar surroundings. It also helps during events when kennels are full, such as holidays, and owners who live part of the year elsewhere sometimes arrange regular sitters for their pets and homes. If you would rather your dog stay somewhere with other dogs and staff on site, see dog boarding and daycare.
Hurricane season
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. If you leave town for a storm, ask the sitter ahead of time what they will do if a storm is forecast, whether they will still be able to reach your home, and what your plan is if they cannot. Keep pet food, medication, carriers and your veterinarian's information where the sitter can find them. Marion County offers pet-friendly shelter options during some emergencies; check the county's emergency management information when a storm threatens.
How to choose a pet sitter
Florida has no state license for pet sitters, so do some checking yourself:
- Meet the sitter before you book. Most sitters offer a meet-and-greet so they can meet your pets and learn the routine.
- Ask whether they are insured and, if they will have your house key, bonded. Check that the business is registered on Sunbiz.
- Ask for references you can call.
- Ask what happens in an emergency: which veterinarian they will use, how they will reach you, and who covers if they are sick.
- Agree in writing on visit times, what each visit includes, and the price.
What to leave for the sitter
Write down feeding amounts, medication times, your vet's name and number, an emergency contact, the alarm code if any, and any quirks, such as a dog who slips out the door or a cat who hides. Make sure vaccinations, including rabies, are current and that your pets wear ID tags or are microchipped with up-to-date contact details.
Between sitter visits
If your dog will be home for a while, a fresh groom before you leave makes daily care easier for the sitter. Our mobile groomer referrals and our guide to grooming between appointments can help.
More pet care we can connect you with
- Mobile Dog Grooming
A grooming van comes to your driveway in Ocala and Marion County.
- Dog Grooming Services
Baths, haircuts, nail trims, de-shedding and puppy grooms.
- Cat Grooming
Bathing, lion cuts, nail trims and dematting for cats.
- Dog Nail Trimming
Quick nail trims and nail grinding, on their own or with a groom.
- Dog De-Shedding
Undercoat removal for Labs, Shepherds, Huskies and other heavy shedders.
- Dog Training
Obedience lessons, puppy training and board-and-train programs with independent Ocala trainers.
- Dog Boarding & Daycare
Overnight boarding and doggy daycare at independent Ocala-area kennels and pet resorts.
Areas we cover
- Ocala dog grooming
- Belleview dog grooming
- Silver Springs Shores dog grooming
- Dunnellon dog grooming
- Summerfield dog grooming
- The Villages dog grooming
- On Top of the World dog grooming
- Marion Oaks dog grooming
- Ocklawaha dog grooming
- Silver Springs dog grooming
Common questions
Are you a pet sitting company?
No. We are a free referral service. Your request goes to an independent local sitter or dog walker, who sets the price and is responsible for the care.
Do pet sitters in Florida need a license?
Florida has no state pet sitter license. Ask about insurance, bonding, references and Sunbiz registration, and meet the sitter first.
Can a sitter stay overnight at my house?
Many sitters offer overnight stays, depending on their schedule. Ask early for holidays, which book up.
Will a pet sitter care for cats and other pets?
Often, yes. Tell us every animal in the home so the sitter can say whether they can help.
Request a callback
Send a few details and an independent groomer near you can reach out with prices and openings. Calling is quickest: Call Now (352) 443-5254.
Ocala Dog Grooming is a free referral service, not a grooming salon. We do not groom pets ourselves. Requests are passed to independent groomers and mobile grooming vans in the area that set their own prices, do the work and are fully responsible for it. Ask any groomer about pricing, vaccination requirements and how they handle nervous or senior dogs before you book.