The holiday season is the busiest time of year for in-home pet care on the Northshore. Between Thanksgiving travel, Christmas trips to see family, and New Year's plans, demand for professional pet care in Mandeville, Covington, Madisonville, Abita Springs, and Lacombe rises quickly, and holiday dates fill early.
This guide covers the dates to know, how early to book, the policies that apply to holiday reservations, how to prepare your home and pets, and the exact steps to secure care with Fur de Lis Pet Care.
Holiday Dates to Know
The following dates are billed at holiday rates this season:
Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Christmas Eve: Thursday, December 24, 2026
Christmas Day: Friday, December 25, 2026
New Year's Eve: Thursday, December 31, 2026
New Year's Day: Friday, January 1, 2027
Looking further ahead, Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 9, 2027, and is also billed at holiday rates. Mardi Gras weekend is one of the busiest travel periods on the Northshore, so it is worth planning for now.
Holiday Rates
All services scheduled on major holidays are billed at holiday rates. Current rates are listed on our website, and the client portal calculates the full cost of every booking automatically, including holiday rates and any applicable fees. You will see the total before you confirm.
Availability and Visit Times
Holiday visits are scheduled within our standard visit windows:
Early Morning: 8am to 10am
Morning: 10am to 12:30pm
Afternoon: 12:30pm to 4pm
Dinner: 4pm to 7pm
Night: 7pm to 9pm
We also offer overnight and live-in stays, which are in especially high demand around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. For cat-only households, at least one visit is required for every 24-hour period you are away.
For pets recovering from surgery or managing chronic health conditions, special care visits are available as a separate visit type. If your pet will need medical care while you travel, book early so we can review your pet's needs during onboarding.
How Early to Book
Book holiday care as early as possible. Holiday dates fill well before the holidays arrive, and overnight and live-in stays are typically the first to go.
We recommend booking at least four to six weeks before your travel dates. New clients should plan further ahead, because onboarding, including account setup and a Meet & Greet in your home, must be complete before services begin. If you are new to Fur de Lis Pet Care and plan to travel for Thanksgiving or Christmas, be sure to get started now.
If your travel dates are less than four to six weeks away, we still encourage you to request availability. We review every holiday request and will always do our best to fit your dates into our holiday schedule.
Holiday bookings made within 7 days of the service start date incur a late booking fee.
Holiday Booking Policies
Holiday reservations follow the policies in our Policies and Service Agreement. The ones that matter most this season:
Full payment at booking: Holiday bookings require full payment at the time of booking.
Non-refundable once confirmed: Because of high demand during the holidays, holiday bookings are non-refundable once confirmed. Please confirm your travel plans before booking.
Early returns: Early returns home and shortened reservations are non-refundable.
Home access: If a scheduled visit cannot be completed because we are unable to access the home, the full service charge applies. Make sure keys, codes, and gate access are arranged and tested before you leave.
Returning home: We are not present when you return home and do not do in-person key handoffs at the end of a reservation. Plan key return in advance.
Please review the full Policies and Service Agreement in your client portal before booking.
What Makes Holiday Care With Fur de Lis Pet Care Different
The holidays are when many pet care providers stretch themselves thin, take on more than they can handle, or hand visits off to whoever is free. At Fur de Lis Pet Care, the highest standards of in-home pet care apply on December 25 exactly as they do any other day of the year.
Fur de Lis Pet Care is a pet care company built on veterinary training, and every visit operates with veterinary trained oversight that holds RECOVER Initiative CPR and BLS certification and Fear Free Certified Professional status. Visit reports are completed live during every visit, with time-stamped details on feeding, medications, bathroom breaks, behavior, and photos. Wherever you are spending the holidays, you will know exactly how your pets are doing.
Holiday Stressors and Hazards for Pets
The holidays bring changes to the home that can affect pets, even when you are away:
Holiday foods: Chocolate, xylitol (found in many sugar-free baked goods), grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and fatty table scraps are all dangerous to pets. Store leftovers and treats out of reach before you leave.
Plants and decorations: Lilies are highly toxic to cats. Tinsel, ribbon, and ornament hooks can cause serious intestinal injuries if swallowed. Secure the tree and keep decorations out of reach.
Fireworks: New Year's Eve fireworks are common across the Northshore and can frighten pets. Let us know if your pet has noise anxiety, and talk to your veterinarian ahead of time if your pet has been prescribed medication for it.
Changes in the household: Houseguests, packed suitcases, and holiday travel can unsettle pets before you even leave. Note any behavior changes in your pet's profile so we know what to watch for.
How to Prepare for Your Holiday Reservation
A little preparation before you leave helps every visit go smoothly:
Update your pet profiles in the client portal, including feeding instructions, medications, and any recent health changes.
Confirm your veterinarian's information and your emergency contact.
Stock enough food, litter, medications, and supplies to last your full trip, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays.
Label medications clearly and leave them in one place.
Arrange and test home access, including keys, lockboxes, garage codes, alarm codes, and gates.
Pet-proof the home by securing holiday foods, decorations, and plants.
Check your local veterinary emergency hospital's holiday hours.
How to Book Holiday Care
Current clients: Log in to your client portal and submit your holiday booking request for your travel dates. Full payment is processed at the time of booking, and your booking confirmation follows.
New clients: Here is how to get started:
Request availability for your holiday dates through our website.
Once availability is confirmed, you will receive an email to set up your client portal.
Review and sign the required service agreements, and add a payment method to your account.
Complete payment to secure your reservation. Holiday bookings require full payment at the time of booking.
Schedule and complete your Meet & Greet in your home before services begin.
Holiday dates are already filling. Contact us to request availability and secure your holiday care with Fur de Lis Pet Care.
