Compassionate care. Extra love. Peace of mind.
Personalized pet care
with a little extra spice.
Professional in-home pet sitting for cats, dogs, and all the wonderfully unique pets in between. Serving Chesterfield, Midlothian & surrounding communities.
Why Potatoes & Spice
Why pet owners choose us
Cat specialist
A real soft spot for shy, senior, and "spicy" cats — not just a dog walker who also does cats.
Comfortable with medications
Pills, topicals, and eye drops are part of the standard visit, not a scary add-on.
More than dogs & cats
Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, chickens, and other companion animals are all welcome.
Animal welfare background
Shelter and veterinary assistant experience, brought to every single visit.
Fully insured
Pet sitting liability insurance covering your pets and your home during every visit.
Service Area
Where we visit
Proudly serving:
- Midlothian
- Chesterfield
- Moseley
- Woodlake
- Brandermill
- Winterpock
- Bon Air
- Chester
- Powhatan (select areas)
- Richmond (select areas)
Outside this list? Reach out anyway — a travel fee may apply for nearby areas.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Erin & Basker
Who's Cooking
Meet Erin
Hi, I'm Erin, the owner of Potatoes & Spice Pet Sitting.
My husband, Jeff, and I share our home with six cats named Abigail, Orion, Nova, Nebula, Bug, and Carmen, along with our senior dog, Basker. Living with a house full of pets has taught us that every animal has their own personality, quirks, and needs.
I have also worked with animals in both veterinary and animal shelter settings, where I learned that every pet deserves patient, individualized care regardless of their personality, age, or background.
I know how much trust it takes to leave your pets in someone else's care. That is why I care for every pet as if they were my own. My goal is to give you peace of mind by providing reliable, thoughtful care so your pets can stay happy and comfortable in their own home while you're away.
Our own crew
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Abigail
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Orion
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Nova
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Nebula
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Bug
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Carmen
Remembering Selene
With us 2023–2026
We adopted Selene in 2023. She was “10” at the time of adoption, but we don't truly know. She was very shut down, didn't really want anything to do with us. After three months or so though, she tapped me on the leg and motioned for head pets. Heart melted.
Ever since, she slept with me every night. She even started meowing at me when I came home. We miss you, our little Selene.
Thank you for reading about our girl. If you're looking to add another potato to your patch, please consider a senior pet.
FAQ
Common questions
Are you insured?
Yes. Potatoes & Spice Pet Sitting carries pet sitting liability insurance, so your pets and your home are covered while we're caring for them. Proof of insurance is available on request, and we'll go over it at your meet & greet.
Do you administer medication?
Yes — pills, liquid medications, topicals, and eye/ear medications are included whenever they can be safely given. Injections or more advanced care can be discussed at your meet & greet.
Do you only care for cats and dogs?
Not at all — we also care for rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, chickens, and other companion animals. Let us know your pet's needs at booking.
What happens during the meet & greet?
We visit your home to meet you and your pets, review routines and care instructions, collect keys or access info, and answer any questions. It's complimentary, and services can't be confirmed until it's complete.
How do payments work?
We accept Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, and cash. New clients pay a 50% deposit to reserve their booking, with the remaining balance due before services begin.
Do you offer overnight stays?
Yes — the Couch Potato package is our overnight stay option.
What if my pet is shy or nervous?
Shy, nervous, timid, or "spicy" pets are always welcome. We're comfortable with hiding, hissing, growling, and slow introductions — please just disclose any history of biting, scratching, or aggression so we can plan around it safely.
Can you care for senior pets?
Yes — senior pets, including those needing extra mobility help or a gentler pace, are very welcome.
What holidays do you work?
Holiday availability is limited and may be subject to adjusted pricing during peak demand — reach out early to check availability.
What happens if my pet gets sick?
If a medical emergency happens and you can't be reached, we'll seek veterinary care using the emergency contact and vet info you've provided. Clients are responsible for any vet expenses incurred on their pet's behalf.
Still have a question? Ask when you book — the meet & greet is free.
Book a meet & greetThe House Rules
Policies, made friendly
Here's the quick version of what to expect, with all the details covered in the full agreement.
🐾 Meet & Greet
All new clients complete a complimentary Potato Patch Introduction before their first booking. Services can't be confirmed until it's done.
📅 Booking
Appointments are first-come, first-served — book early for vacations and holidays. Bookings are confirmed once your info is complete, the Client Agreement is signed, and payment is arranged.
💳 Payment
Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, or cash. New clients: 50% deposit to reserve, balance due before services begin. Returning clients: payment due before the first scheduled visit unless otherwise arranged.
❌ Cancellation
7+ days' notice: full refund. 3–7 days' notice: deposit is non-refundable. Under 72 hours' notice: up to 100% of scheduled services may be charged. Emergencies are considered case-by-case.
🐶 Dog Visits
Puppies may need multiple visits daily; adult dogs generally need 2–3. Walks are included in the scheduled visit time. Dogs must have a properly fitting collar/harness, be manageable on leash, and any reactivity must be disclosed.
🐱 Cat Visits
Healthy adult indoor cats generally need one visit every 24 hours; kittens, seniors, and cats with medical needs may need more. Up to 3 cats are included in standard pricing.
🌱 Small Pets & Exotics
Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, turtles, fish, chickens, ducks, and other companion animals are welcome — let's discuss specialized care at your meet & greet.
🚓 Community Cat Colonies (Spud Patrol)
Feeding, fresh water, basic feeding-station cleanup, colony observations, and photo updates when possible. Because community cats roam freely, sightings can't be guaranteed.
💊 Medication
Pills, liquid, topical, and eye/ear medications are included whenever they can be safely given. Injections or complex medical routines can be discussed — we follow your vet's instructions and don't provide veterinary care ourselves.
🌶 Spicy Pets
Shy, nervous, timid pets are always welcome — hiding, hissing, growling, and slow intros are all okay. Please disclose any history of biting, scratching, escape attempts, or aggression so everyone stays safe.
🏡 Home Care
Basic home touches are included: mail and packages, watering a reasonable number of plants, adjusting lights or blinds, and rotating trash bins if arranged. Pet care always comes first.
🔑 Home Access
House key, lockbox, garage keypad, or smart lock — access info is kept confidential and used only for scheduled visits.
📸 Photos & Updates
Every visit includes a Spice Report with photos and notes whenever possible. Photos are never shared publicly without your permission.
🌦 Weather
During unsafe weather — extreme heat, ice, thunderstorms — walks may be replaced with indoor play, enrichment, and extra attention.
🚑 Emergency Care
If we can't reach you during a medical emergency, we'll seek veterinary care using the emergency contact and vet info on file. Clients are responsible for resulting vet expenses.
❤ Every pet deserves individualized care, patience, and kindness — welcome to the Potato Patch.
The Potato Patch
Recent good boys & girls
A few of the faces we've had the pleasure of looking after.
Book a Meet & Greet
Reserve your Potato Patch Introduction
Pick a date below, or send a quick message first if you have questions.
Prefer to talk first? Reach out anytime —