Who Takes Care of My Pet While I'm in the Hospital? ( Emergency Care )

Jun 30

4 min read

An unexpected hospital stay doesn't have to mean an uncertain future for your pets.

Being admitted to hospital is stressful enough without the added worry of what's happening to your dog, cat, or other animals back home. It's one of those situations nobody plans for — and yet it happens to thousands of people every year. Whether it's a sudden illness, an accident, or an emergency procedure, the question of who looks after your pets can feel overwhelming when you're already dealing with so much.

The good news is that help is available, and it can be arranged faster than you might think.

The problem with unplanned hospital admissions

When you go into hospital unexpectedly, there's rarely time to organise pet care in advance. You might be relying on a neighbour, a family member, or a friend — but what if they're not available? What if they live too far away, or aren't comfortable handling your animals? What if your dog needs two walks a day and your cat needs medication twice daily?

This is exactly the kind of gap that emergency pet care services exist to fill. A professional carer can step in at short notice, take over your pet's full routine, and keep you updated throughout — so you can focus entirely on your recovery.

What happens to my pet on day one?

The first 24 hours are usually the most stressful, both for you and your animals. Pets are sensitive to routine, and they'll quickly notice you're not there. Dogs in particular can become anxious, destructive, or refuse to eat if left alone for too long without reassurance.

With Parkgate Paws, same-day support is available. Once you make contact — by phone or email — we can arrange key collection directly from the hospital, so there's no need to wait for a family member to drop off keys or organise a handover. We'll head straight to your home and get started.

What does emergency pet care actually include?

Here's a breakdown of the services available when you need urgent help with your pets:

Check-in visits — from £20

A check-in visit means we come to your home, make sure your pets are safe and comfortable, top up food and water, spend some time with them, and send you a full update before we leave. You can choose a 20-minute visit for cats and smaller animals, or a 40-minute visit for pets who need more time, interaction, or medication. We can visit multiple times a day and will always let you know how your pet is doing after every single one.

Emergency dog walks — from £20

Dogs need their walks regardless of what's happening. An emergency dog walk means your dog is collected from home, taken out on a safe local route, and returned — with a full update sent to you straight afterwards. A 30-minute walk covers most dogs' needs, while the 60-minute option suits higher-energy breeds or dogs who need longer to settle.

Full day cover — £55 flat fee

For longer stays, our full day cover package gives your pets morning, afternoon, and evening visits all under one simple booking. Rather than arranging each visit separately, a single call gets everything covered across the whole day. Feeding, water, litter, medication, company — all included, with updates after every visit.

Hospital key collection — £5 to £10

If you can't arrange a key handover, we'll come to the hospital to collect your keys directly. This means care can start straight away without involving anyone else. Keys are held securely for the duration of your stay and returned once you're home.

What about my cat — do they need as much help?

Yes, though in a different way. Cats are often assumed to be self-sufficient, but they still need fresh food and water at least once a day, litter tray management, and human interaction to stay calm. A cat left alone for several days without a check-in can become stressed, stop eating, or develop health issues. Regular visits keep their routine stable and give you peace of mind that someone is keeping an eye on them.

Will my pet be stressed without me?

It's natural to worry about this. Most pets do feel your absence, but familiar surroundings, a consistent routine, and regular human contact go a long way. A professional carer visiting morning, afternoon, and evening is far less disruptive to your pet than being moved to a kennel or cattery at short notice — they stay in their own home, in their own space, with their own things.

Updates after every visit also mean you can see for yourself how they're doing, which helps enormously with your own peace of mind while you recover.

How do I arrange emergency pet care from a hospital?

It's simpler than you might expect. All you need to do is:

Call us on 07903 436083, email hello@parkgatepaws.co.uk, or book online at www.ParkgatePaws.co.uk
We'll arrange key collection from the hospital if needed
Care starts the same day

You don't need to have everything perfectly organised. We're used to stepping in at short notice and working out the details as we go. The most important thing is getting in touch early so we can get to your pets as quickly as possible.

Fully insured, DBS checked, and pet first aid trained

Parkgate Paws is fully insured, DBS checked, and pet first aid trained — so you're not handing your keys to a stranger, you're handing them to a professional who takes the responsibility seriously.