Looking for a caring pet companion to keep your furry family safe and happy while you’re away? As a loving pet parent yourself, finding your furry friend suitable vacation pet care (that won't result in returning home to an unhappy Fido or Felix…), is probably pretty high up on your list, naturally.
To help you on your merry way, we're sharing 7 top tried-and-test tips on how to find a pet sitter. From how to create a great home listing to tips for connecting with your ideal sitter, we’ve covered it all…
1. Create a great home and pet owner listing
Naturally, creating a detailed listing with plenty of pictures and information about your home and pets is key when it comes to finding the perfect pet sitter.
Here are some things to keep in mind when crafting your listing:
- Your pet(s): what are their names, ages, breed? Write about their temperament and current routine, and if they have any additional needs (such as if they suffer from separation anxiety, or need regular medication). And don’t forget to include a few photos of them, so your sitters can put a face to the name!
- Your home: where it is located? Are you in a city apartment or a three-bedroom home in the countryside? List your home's amenities, such as whether you have a good WiFi connection or a home office, and any nearby attractions including local shops and restaurants.
- Your ideal sitter: explain the reasons why you’re looking for a pet sitter, and be sure to include a good overview of their responsibilities. Whether you need someone who is comfortable with administering medication or someone who is active enough to keep up with your energetic Springer Spaniel, here’s the place to mention it.
Trusted tip: don’t forget to include a catchy and clear listing title that will grab a sitter’s attention!
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2. Post your vacation dates early
Posting your vacation dates early will help you to find a great pet sitter with plenty of time to spare.
Once you’ve posted your dates, you’ll begin to receive applications from our community of pet sitters. Be sure to answer all applications as soon as they arrive in your inbox, even if it's just to thank them for their application or to let them know that you've already selected another sitter.
Trusted tip! Remember, once your dates receive 5 applications we’ll pause applications to give you time to choose your sitter. None suitable? Not to worry - simply decline your current applications to unpause your listing and allow new sitters to apply.
3. Be proactive - reach out to pet sitters
While our community of sitters will apply directly to your listing, you can always take a proactive approach and search for pet sitters near you using the 'Find A House Sitter' tool on your dashboard. Explore sitter profiles, read reviews left by other pet parents, and if you like what you see, invite them to sit for you by clicking on the button on their profile.
Trusted tip: If you’re a Standard or Premium member, don’t forget you can also view the sitters who have previously favorited your listing.
4. Don’t pass on new sitter members
All sitters start in the same place, often without a lot of reviews on their profile. However, we like to think of our new sitters as our ‘hidden gems’, as taking a chance on a new sitter is a great way to snab a dedicated, reliable, and loving pet companion - before they get all booked up!
New sitters are also likely to be local to you and more flexible in their plans. Plus, as a TrustedHousesitters member, you can rest assured knowing all sitters will be ID verified (and, if they're in the US, they'll have completed a background check, too).
Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a first-time sitter:
- Read their profile: have they created a well-crafted profile, with good photographs giving you a sense of who they are and why they want to be sitters?
- Do they have external references?
- Read their application message: is it personalized, professional and friendly?
- Are they happy to jump on a call/video chat/meet you in person?
5. Boost your listing
If you haven’t yet found the perfect sitter and you’re a Standard or Premium member, make use of the ‘Boost your listing’ tool included in your membership. This tool, which you can use once per set of dates, will push your listing to the top of the page results, and can be great if you need to open up your pool of sitter applications.
6. Rural? Offer the use of a car
If you live where a car is essential to get around and can offer the use of your vehicle to qualified drivers, then be sure to include this on your listing.
This is a huge benefit for sitters, especially for those coming from a distance or those without their own vehicle. Those without transport often stay close to cities or in locations where they won’t need a car, but making one available could entice them away from the big city!
Trusted tip: always check with your own insurance provider regarding adding drivers.
7. Lastly, be responsive - and make a quick decision!
Once you’re certain you’ve found the perfect pet sitter, don’t wait around! Remember, sitters often apply to more than one listing at a time and they need to plan their travels in advance. Confirming them with plenty of time to spare is essential in finding a sitter your pet is sure to adore.
Pet sitting FAQs
Looking for more listing tips? Check out our blog on how to create the perfect owner listing.