Lilly and Friends Pet Sitting in South Carolina
What Lilly and Friends offers
Lilly and Friends is a pet-sitting service operating in South Carolina that handles daily care for dogs, cats, and other pets while owners are away or working. The service sends a caregiver to your home to feed, walk, and spend time with your animals on a schedule you set. Unlike boarding facilities, pet sitters visit your house, which means your pet stays in its own environment and follows its normal routine.
The company handles both short trips and longer absences. A sitter might stop by once daily to check on a cat, or visit multiple times a day for a dog that needs midday breaks. Lilly and Friends also offers services beyond basic feeding and walking—many sitters can administer medication, refresh water bowls, play with pets, and send photo updates so you know your animal is doing well while you're away.
Key Takeaways
- Lilly and Friends sends a caregiver to your home rather than moving your pet to a facility, so your animal stays in familiar surroundings.
- Services include feeding, walking, medication administration, and photo updates, with visit frequency based on your pet's needs and your schedule.
- You will need to provide access instructions, feeding guidelines, emergency vet contact information, and details about your pet's behavior and preferences before the sitter arrives.
- Pricing varies by location within South Carolina, the number of visits per day, and the type of pet, so contacting the service directly gives you an accurate quote for your situation.
How to arrange a visit
Start by contacting Lilly and Friends directly through their website or phone number to discuss your pet's needs and your travel dates. During this conversation, you'll tell the sitter how often your pet needs care each day, what time visits should happen, and any special instructions—whether your dog needs a long walk, your cat takes medication, or your pet has anxiety in certain situations.
Before the sitter's first visit, you'll need to provide house access (a key, garage code, or door lock combination), written feeding instructions with portion sizes, your veterinarian's contact information, and an emergency contact number. Many pet owners also leave a written guide about their pet's personality—what toys it likes, whether it's shy with strangers, or if it has any behavioral quirks the sitter should know about. The more detail you give, the more comfortable your pet will be with the caregiver.
Once you've arranged the details, the sitter will visit your home on the agreed schedule. Most services ask you to confirm the arrangement a few days before you leave, so there's no confusion about dates or times.
What to expect during visits
A typical visit lasts 20 to 30 minutes for basic care, though longer visits are available if your pet needs extended attention or exercise. During that time, the sitter will feed your pet, provide fresh water, take your dog outside or to a designated bathroom area, and spend time playing or interacting with your animal. For cats, this might mean refreshing the litter box, playing with toys, and checking that the cat is eating and acting normally.
If your pet takes medication, the sitter will administer it according to your written instructions. Many sitters also send text or email updates with photos so you can see your pet is happy and healthy. This is especially reassuring if you're traveling far from home or if your pet has health concerns that need monitoring.
The sitter will lock up your home and leave everything as they found it. If anything unusual happens—your pet seems ill, won't eat, or there's a problem in the house—the sitter will contact you right away and may reach out to your veterinarian if the situation is urgent.
Pricing and scheduling flexibility
Lilly and Friends charges based on the number of visits per day, the length of each visit, your location within South Carolina, and the type of pet. A single daily visit for a cat costs less than multiple visits for a dog that needs midday exercise and bathroom breaks. Some services offer discounts for longer bookings or multiple pets in the same household.
The service works around your schedule—whether you need care for a weekend trip, a week-long vacation, or regular midday visits while you're at work. Many pet owners use Lilly and Friends not just for travel but as an ongoing solution for pets that can't be left alone all day. Rates and availability vary by the specific area of South Carolina where you live, so contacting the service directly will give you accurate pricing for your situation.
Preparing your pet for a sitter
If your pet has never met a pet sitter before, a short introduction visit can help. Ask if Lilly and Friends offers a meet-and-greet where the sitter comes by for 15 minutes before your actual trip. This gives your pet a chance to get used to the caregiver's presence and voice, which reduces anxiety when the sitter arrives while you're away.
Leave your pet's routine as normal as possible. Sitters work best when they follow the same feeding times, walk routes, and play patterns your pet is used to. If your pet is nervous or has behavioral issues, tell the sitter in advance so they know what to expect and how to handle it safely. Dogs that jump, cats that hide, or pets with separation anxiety all need different approaches, and the sitter will adjust their method based on what you tell them.
What to provide before you leave
Write down everything the sitter needs to know: your pet's full name, age, any health conditions, current medications and dosages, dietary restrictions, and behavioral notes. Include your veterinarian's name, phone number, and after-hours emergency clinic information. Leave a recent photo of your pet in case the sitter needs to describe it to someone or if there's an emergency.
Show the sitter where food and water bowls are, where treats and toys are stored, and how to operate any special equipment like a dog door or automatic feeder. Leave your cell phone number and a backup emergency contact. If your pet wears a collar with ID tags, make sure the tags have current phone numbers. The more organized you are with this information, the smoother the visits will go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet sitter give my dog medication?
Yes, most pet sitters can administer medication if you provide clear written instructions with the dosage, time of day, and any special notes—like whether the medication should be given with food. Leave the medication in its original labeled bottle and show the sitter exactly where it's stored. If your pet is difficult to medicate, tell the sitter in advance so they can plan accordingly.
What if my pet has never met the sitter before?
A meet-and-greet visit before your trip helps your pet adjust. Many sitters offer this as a short introductory session where your pet can see the caregiver's face and hear their voice. If a meet-and-greet isn't possible, leave detailed notes about your pet's personality and any anxiety triggers so the sitter knows how to approach your animal calmly.
How often should I book visits if I work full-time?
Most dogs do well with one midday visit if they're alone during work hours, though some need two visits—one at lunch and one in the late afternoon. Cats are more independent and often do fine with one daily visit. Your pet's age, health, and bathroom needs determine the right schedule. The sitter can recommend a frequency based on your pet's situation.
What happens if there's an emergency while I'm away?
The sitter will contact you immediately if your pet seems ill or injured. If you're unreachable, the sitter will call your emergency veterinarian using the contact information you provided. Most sitters are trained to recognize signs of distress and know when to seek professional help rather than wait for your response.
Do I need to leave a key, or are there other access options?
You can provide a physical key, a garage code, a door lock combination, or a keypad entry system—whatever works for your home. Many pet owners prefer keypad locks or garage access because they don't require handing over a key. Discuss access options with Lilly and Friends when you book so you can choose the method that feels safest and most convenient for you.