Can you trust pet sitters?

When a break from the same old thing is calling, making the decision to leave your pets at home can be hard. Finding the right kind of care for your pet is a number one priority, and while having a friend or family member pop in from time to time might have worked in the past, many pet parents are now opting for the full-time care of an in-house pet sitter. But can you trust pet sitters, and if so, how do you go about finding a pet sitter that’s right for you? We’re here to give you all the tips and tricks to ensure you’re precious pets are in the best of hands!

Are pet sitters safe? 

Using a reputable platform like TrustedHousesitters is the first step to ensuring you find a responsible, trusted house sitter. Platforms like these require their members to go through a detailed verification process before they can apply for a sit, and also encourage sitters to provide external references. Once they have completed a sit on the platform, pet sitters receive ratings and reviews from other pet parents. Owners can then read through these reviews and thoroughly check the pet sitter’s profile before arranging a chat with their potential sitter. This way, pet sitters and owners get to know each other before the sit even begins to ensure the best possible chance of the right match. 

How to find a pet sitter 

Choosing a trusted sitter is the secret to ensuring your pet pals are in great hands while you’re away. Follow these steps to find a trustworthy pet sitter:

1. Create your listing and explain everything you expect from your sitter. How many walks a day does Dolly the Dog like? How often does Roger the Rabbit need feeding? What time does Chloe the Cat enjoy a treat? No detail is too small, and being crystal clear on your non-negotiables is your surest chance of finding the right pet sitter. It’s equally important to be completely honest about your pet’s temperament and the expectations you have in your home. 
2. Carefully read through each of the messages you receive from potential pet sitters and look at their profiles and reviews. Arrange a meet and greet via phone or video call with your favorite sitters. 
3. Chances are, you’ll instantly click with one of the sitters during your call. If you don’t find the perfect fit in the first round of calls though, there’s nothing stopping you from re-opening your listing to find the right sitter. 
4. While on the call, it’s important to find out as much as you can about the pet sitter’s experience and whether they’ll be able to provide your pet with exactly what they need. A trusted dog or cat sitter will also want to know what to expect, so you’ll need to be completely transparent about everything from your pet’s routine to your cleaning expectations. If your pet sitter understands your requirements from the get-go, you’re far less likely to encounter any mix-ups. 
5. Depending on your travel plans, it’s a good idea to ask your pet sitter to arrive at your home before you leave. This will give you a chance to get acquainted with each other in person and answer any last-minute questions.
6. Stay in touch with your pet sitter while you’re away, and feel free to ask them to send regular updates and photos of your precious pets. 

Like the sound of TrustedHousesitters? Our animal-loving members provide safe, at-home pet sitting services, so you can enjoy peace of mind while you’re away. If you want find out more, take a look at how it works or have a browse of our community forum to see what our members are chatting about.