5 reasons people love in-home pet sitters

Updated 23rd Jan 2026

If you ask the members of our caring community, you’re likely to find hundreds of reasons why pet parents choose pet sitters over kennels. To help busy pet parents like you, we've whittled it down to a much more readable five reasons - here's why!

1. Furry families are happier with in-home pet sitters

For our members, their pets' happiness is the number one reason for choosing an in-home pet sitter. 

By staying at home, pets are surrounded by the scents and scenes that make them feel safe. With consistent walking, feeding and play time, pets feel secure by staying in the routine they’re used to.

Of course, we didn’t just judge our pet’s happiness by their purrs or wagging tails - we asked the experts for their thoughts on in-home pet care. What we found was that vets around the world agree that almost all pets feel safest and happiest when at home.

2. Multi-pet households get to stay united at home 

While sending your furry friends off to a kennel or cattery often means splitting them up, welcoming a pet sitter means keeping all of your pets happy at home. Surrounded by familiar (furry) faces and sticking to their routine means happy pets, and happy pet parents.

3. In-home pet sitters keep your pets and home safe

It's not just dog walking and dinner time that'll be taken care of! Welcoming a pet sitter means there’s someone you trust taking care of your home - keeping it safe and secure while you’re away. Whether you’re away for a weekend or a few weeks, an in-home pet sitter can keep your home running smoothly - avoiding frozen water pipes, and staying alert to surprise weather conditions.

“I now have worry-free holidays knowing that my pet is happy, my garden looked after, and my home is secure.” 

— Rosina Morris, TrustedHousesitters member from the United Kingdom

4. In-home pet sitters care for your plants, ponds, and pools

Whether it’s a prize-winning rose garden or a couple of indoor pot plants, you may also need a helping hand with keeping your plants perky while you’re away. Perhaps your outdoor area also includes a pool that needs to be kept clean, or a pond that requires a close eye?

Many of our in-home pet sitters are happy to take on these extra responsibilities if you ask them to. If you have chosen a professional pet sitter who charges, they may ask for an extra fee. However, if they're a member of TrustedHousesitters, all you have to do is ask first, and most members will be happy to help.

5. Like-minded pet people get to connect

Connected by a shared love and respect for animals, pet parents and sitters often become friends for life. In fact, many of our sitters return to care for the same pets and homes more than once - building on a friendship with both the pets and humans they’ve met on their travels.

Want to hear what our members have to say?

Take a look the reviews left by pet parents who are connecting with in-home pet sitters from TrustedHousesitters: 

As a pet owner, I struggle with not taking our dog everywhere we go. But when we must get away, finding a place to take my dog is met with frustration, anxiety, and extraordinary financial costs. After using TrustedHousesitters for two sits, I will never go back to boarding. Not only was our house and beloved pet looked after, someone else gets a place to stay. Both times our home was left in great condition (even better than we left it) and our dog was well looked after. 

— Kelly Storek, pet parent member from America

This was my first time arranging pet sitting in my home, and I was nervous about it. The visit was 10 days, which is a long time to be away from your dog anyway. My house sitter, Donna, was awesome - on meeting her I felt much better and she was terrific about sending text updates and keeping in touch.

 The dogs didn't seem to miss me, they got walks and treats, so they were happy. Plus, Donna took care of the small vegetable garden and I came home to a really clean house. Donna seems to be amazingly self-sufficient and I hope she knows what peace of mind she gave me.

— Ginger H, pet parent member from America

Useful resources 

• What is a dog kennel?
• What is the difference between pet minding and pet sitting?
• Are pet sitters a good idea?