Karen Chavez was on vacation when she received a call no pet owner wants to get.
Back home, her 16-year-old dachshund, Rusty, had developed glaucoma.
To most people, his squinting might have looked like minor irritation or simple fatigue. Fortunately, Rusty wasn't being cared for by most people. He was being cared for by a trained veterinary professional who immediately recognized something was wrong and acted quickly.
"His vision was saved. Had she not been there, his life and ours would have been dramatically changed," Karen says.
For Karen, the experience reinforced something she had long believed: the true value of a caregiver isn't measured when everything goes according to plan. It's measured when something doesn't.
"The biggest mistake pet owners make is assuming everyone who loves animals is equally qualified to care for them," says Karen.
It's one of the reasons Karen co-founded VetterCare.
After years in veterinary medicine, Karen recognized a growing gap in the pet care industry. Pets were living longer, requiring more medications, recovering from more advanced procedures, and being treated more like family than ever before. Yet when owners traveled, their options often remained limited to traditional pet sitters, boarding facilities, or asking friends and family for help.
Karen believed there was a better solution.
Today, VetterCare connects pet owners with trained veterinary professionals who provide in-home support for everything from healthy puppies and kittens to senior pets, diabetic animals, post-surgical patients, and pets with chronic medical conditions.
Drawing on that experience, Karen shares what every pet owner should know before leaving town.
Not All Pet Care Is the Same
Traditional pet sitters provide companionship and basic care. Boarding facilities offer supervision and structure, often in an unfamiliar environment. Veterinary professionals bring an entirely different level of expertise.
They understand animal behavior, recognize early signs of illness, administer medications properly, and know when veterinary intervention may be necessary.
"It's the combination of compassion and medical knowledge that sets them apart," says Karen.
For healthy pets, that distinction may never become important. But for senior pets, diabetic pets, animals recovering from surgery, or pets with ongoing medical needs, it can make all the difference.
Subtle Signs That Matter
Animals are remarkably good at hiding discomfort.
Subtle changes in appetite, water intake, breathing, posture, activity level, or behavior are often the first clues that something isn't right. Increased respiratory effort, dehydration, pacing, hiding, unusual fatigue, or signs of discomfort may seem insignificant to an untrained observer but can signal a developing medical concern.
Recognizing those changes early often allows intervention before a situation becomes more serious.
When Routine Changes
Senior pets, anxious pets, newly adopted pets, and animals with chronic medical conditions often have the hardest time when routines change.
Many owners are surprised to learn how emotionally affected pets can become when their families leave town. Some become clingy. Others withdraw. Some lose their appetite or develop digestive upset.
Even confident pets can struggle with disruption to their routine.
Comfort in Consistency
Many people assume the answer is exercise. Others believe it's companionship.
While both matter, Karen says routine and security are often the most important.
Pets thrive on familiarity. Remaining in their own environment with someone who understands their habits, routines, and individual needs can significantly reduce stress and help them feel more comfortable while their owners are away.
Questions Worth Asking
Before handing over the leash, Karen recommends asking three simple questions:
What qualifications and experience do you have?
What happens if my pet becomes ill or has an emergency?
How will you communicate with me while I'm away?
The answers often reveal far more than a list of services.
They reveal whether your pet is simply being watched or truly being cared for.
Before You Leave Town
Before traveling, Karen recommends creating an emergency directive that includes your veterinarian's contact information, preferred emergency hospital, medication instructions, an emergency decision-maker, and guidance regarding emergency treatment.
"The best emergency plan is the one you never need but are grateful to have."
Ultimately, Karen believes the conversation comes down to one question:
If my pet has a problem while I'm away, who do I want by their side?
Peace of mind doesn't come from knowing someone is checking on your pet. It comes from knowing someone can recognize when something isn't right, advocate for your pet when you can't, and respond confidently when the unexpected happens.
"Don't just ask who is available. Ask who is qualified."
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"The true value of a caregiver isn't measured when everything goes according to plan. It's measured when something doesn't. If my pet has a problem while I'm away, who do I want by their side?"