When Humans Care for Pets: Rebounding from an Honest Mistake 🫖

Let’s be real for a second — pet sitting isn’t all puppy kisses and purring cats. Most days it’s a joyful whirlwind of wagging tails, feather dusters, and the occasional “how did you get up there?” moment. But sometimes… even the best sitters make a human mistake.

And since we’ve always promised honesty and transparency here at Atta Boy! Animal Care, I’m going to spill a little tea about what happens when something doesn’t go perfectly — and how we make it right.

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The Day of the Door (Yes, It Happened)

A few months ago, one of our sitters wrapped up a set of visits for a sweet old pup we will call Daisy. Everything went smoothly: walks, meds, cuddles — even the mail brought in and trash rolled out.

But the next morning, the client texted me a message that started with “Hey Amber, everything’s fine, but…” (and you know that’s never the sentence you want to see). Turns out, the back door hadn’t been locked completely. Daisy was safe and sound inside, but my stomach still dropped.

Now, we could’ve just sent a quick “so sorry!” message and moved on — but that’s not who we are.

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The Atta Boy! Way: What Happens Next

When something like that happens, we immediately follow a clear process that keeps everyone safe, supported, and informed.

1. Own it — fast.
   I personally called the client within minutes to apologize and thank them for catching it. No excuses, no deflection — just honesty.

2. Check the facts.
   We reviewed the sitter’s visit report, camera timestamps, and entry notes. The sitter had pulled the door shut but didn’t double-check the lock — simple human error, but still unacceptable under our standards.

3. Correct and train.
   The sitter received one-on-one retraining the same day, focusing on our Home Safety Double-Check Protocol — a policy that requires every door and gate to be physically tested before leaving. We even updated our digital visit checklist to include a confirmation photo when needed.

4. Review as a team.
   Every week, we hold a staff huddle where we review real scenarios like this (no blame, just lessons). It helps every sitter learn from the situation and reinforces our shared standards.

5. Follow up for peace of mind.
   I checked in with Daisy’s family again a few days later — not just to reassure them, but to make sure they felt heard and valued. They did (and they’re still one of our favorite long-term clients today).

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The “Oops, I Forgot the Treat” Moment 🍪

Mistakes don’t always look big and scary. Sometimes it’s something tiny, like forgetting the bedtime treat that’s part of a pet’s routine. One of our sitters once realized it on the drive home — she literally turned around, went back, and gave that treat (with a very apologetic belly rub).

That kind of accountability is why I’m so proud of this team. When we say we care, we mean it — right down to the last biscuit.

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Turning Mistakes Into Momentum

At Atta Boy! Animal Care, we believe mistakes are opportunities to get better, not bitter. Each one triggers:

• A team debrief and retraining, so no one else repeats it.

• A staff review to reinforce accountability and communication.

• A client check-in to make sure you’re 100% satisfied — and your pet’s routine feels seamless again.

Our clients trust us not because we’re perfect, but because we’re transparent, responsive, and human.

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The Promise Still Stands

If there’s one thing I’ve learned running this company, it’s that integrity isn’t proven when things go right — it’s proven when something goes wrong, and you handle it with grace, honesty, and heart.

So yes, sometimes there’s a little “tea.” But around here, that just means we’re brewing up better systems, better sitters, and better care for your pets.

🐾 Amber, Owner of Atta Boy! Animal Care
Serving Lakeland, Mulberry, and Bartow, Florida
www.attaboyanimalcare.com