2 strangers, 1 home. How the trust actually works

Welcoming a stranger to care for your cozy home, your beloved pets, and the sourdough starter you’ve spent 3 years tending to… 

Or on the flipside, traveling to stay in an unfamiliar neighborhood, in someone else’s home, to care for their place and their pet, for a taste of local life…

Sounds daunting, and even a little out there, right? Maybe, but 280k+ people across the world are doing it, and it’s changing their lives for the better.

So what exactly is it about TrustedHousesitters that helps people to make the switch from traditional travel and pet care?

A community where trust replaces transactions

In this community, there’s one common thread that runs through every connection that you can’t find on just any pet care platform or travel agency: genuine, earned human trust. 

Pet parents open up their home and offer their trust while they’re away, and sitters step in with care and look after their pets in return, while discovering somewhere far from the beaten track. 

To help us unpack how the trust actually works, we sat down with Angela Laws, Head of Charitable Partnerships at TrustedHousesitters, sitter of over 200 sits across 18 years and 5 continents (and counting), and former pet parent who’s welcomed countless sitters of her own. We chatted about the unique motivations and reservations of our members, and what makes joining the community so worth it.

Unpacking our assumptions

Often for good reason, we’re brought up being told not to talk to strangers. It’s a mindset that’s carried by many of us through to adulthood. That’s why it’s no surprise that when people hear about TrustedHousesitters, they think it’s too good to be true.

Understanding the ‘why’ of the TrustedHousesitters community

For many new to the idea of house and pet sitting, and in-home pet care, the first step is understanding why the community does it in the first place.

“House sitting has become far more mainstream over the years, but there are still people who genuinely can’t understand why someone would choose to travel this way. They ask, ‘Why would somebody do this for free? What’s in it for them?’”

At TrustedHousesitters, pet parents open their homes to a sitter exploring a new place, and enjoy the peace of mind that their pets get to stay at home, where they’re most comfortable. The plants are watered, the mail is collected, and the pet’s daily routine goes largely undisturbed.

“The most important thing for us is that Eddy and Patsy get to remain in their own surroundings, and so having sitters stay in our home is the most natural fit to make that happen.” - Mark, pet parent

While for pet sitters, the house sitting lifestyle allows them to travel differently. Instead of cookie-cutter hotel rooms and tourist hot spots, they step into real neighborhoods, and enjoy life like a true local. 

“For me, slow travel is about finding somewhere that genuinely feels like home rather than a destination. I want to settle in, get to know the locals, and build a real sense of place within the culture. There's a warmth and a groundedness to house sitting which you simply can't replicate in a hotel room.” - Gabby, pet sitter

It’s also the chance to travel in a way that actually means something, an opportunity to try a new place before moving there, visit family who live far away, or simply spend time in a place different from their own home, with the reward of caring for pets.

“We could never stay in San Francisco for weeks at a time to see our kids. House sitting has made it possible for us to go and just “live” in the city.” - Susan, pet sitter

Angela: “I think a lot of trust barriers come from people trying to understand the experience through their own lens, rather than recognising that there are many valid reasons why people choose this lifestyle. There’s no single “type” of sitter or pet parent. Everybody comes to house sitting with different motivations and expectations.”

House sitting doesn’t have to feel like a leap into the unknown

Whether it’s a pet parent looking for alternative pet care, or a sitter who’d rather skip the tourist track, making the switch to house sitting starts with building trust and experience.

For sitters, it might mean starting locally to build up reviews and chatting with the pet parents in advance to get clear on expectations and form trust. For pet parents, it often means arranging a chat with potential sitters before confirming. Asking questions, getting to know one another, and making a connection before deciding whether they’re the right person for their home and pets. 

Angela shared her advice for new sitters, just starting out:

“I always encourage new members to start locally if they can, and really take the time to find the right sit. That’s one of the most important parts of building trust, making sure it feels like the right fit for everyone, and everything involved: the pets, the pet parents, the sitter, the home, and the expectations.”

Sometimes, the connection between pet parents and sitters is immediate. Other times, it takes a conversation, a meet-up, and time for the trust to build before deciding whether they’re the right fit. 

“My very first sit was only about ten minutes from my home, which helped make it feel less daunting. 

When we met, there was a warmth and understanding between us. Charlie was a Spaniel, and I had very recently lost my own beloved Springer Spaniel, Holly. 

There was a shared emotional connection through our love of these dogs and an understanding of what they meant to us.”

It’s not about blind trust

Whether connecting with sitters to care for their beloved pets, or looking for a stay someplace new, building trust takes time and genuine intention.

“Trust is rarely built on one big moment. It’s built quietly, through communication, shared values, empathy, and the feeling that somebody truly understands how much your pets mean to you. It grows through conversations, transparency, reviews, references and shared values.”

“Being part of the TrustedHousesitters community feels like being part of a network of responsible, caring animal lovers and that shared commitment to pets’ well-being is what ultimately builds lasting trust.” - Eva, pet parent

When like-minded people connect, everyone wins

A shared care for animals and respect for others' homes connects our worldwide community across countries and cultures. It works because of the trust formed by the knowledge that our members take genuine pride in looking after pets and homes as if they were their own. 

And naturally, the trust isn’t instant. It takes time, communication and a little effort to form the right connection.

“Initially, the idea of having someone I didn’t know personally stay in our home felt like a big step. We were able to have video calls, ask questions, and really get a feel for who they were as people. By the time a sitter arrived, they no longer felt like strangers - they felt like trusted guests.” - Eva, pet parent

Like many of our members, Eva and her sitters built a bond before the sit began. Through reading reviews, references, and getting to know one another before confirming, she was able to feel confident about leaving her home - her sanctuary, and Holly - her beloved dog, with a sitter.

“The mutual respect built into the TrustedHousesitters community — where sitters genuinely value both the pets and the homes they’re caring for — has made all the difference. And over time, our confidence has only grown stronger. Each positive experience reinforced the trust, and we’ve consistently returned home to a well-cared-for house and a very happy Holly!”

And the same goes for our sitters - by reading pet parent reviews, and having open and honest conversations before sits helps our members to feel confident about caring for another’s home and pets.

“One of the things we’ve valued most in our sit experiences has been the clarity and openness from pet parents before we even arrive. The strongest foundations have always been built through thoughtful communication — detailed welcome guides, honest conversations about expectations, and a genuine interest in getting to know us as people, not just as sitters.” - Robi & Stu, pet sitters

What happens when people show up for each other

A sit starts with a little natural hesitation - even after the reviews, the references, and the conversations have ticked all the boxes. But TrustedHousesitters works because both pet parents and sitters contribute. And every day, we see the magic that happens when people lead with trust.

“For the past fourteen years, house sitting has enabled us to meaningfully live our full-time travel aspirations. That shift from “holiday mode” to shared responsibility has been one of the most rewarding changes in our lives, and we don’t see it ending any time soon.” - Robi & Stu, pet sitters

And we see this play out across our community - people with homes and pets who need looking after, people who want to travel in a way that means something, house sitting brings those two sides together, and everyone wins. For sitters, it’s the freedom to travel with purpose, and the chance to make a home of the world.

“House and pet sitting is easily one of the best ways to travel. It gives you a sense of home, connection, and belonging that you just don't get otherwise.” - Callum, pet sitter

And for pet parents, it’s peace of mind that everything (and everyone) is in good hands at home.

“Travel now feels lighter and more enjoyable because we’re not constantly checking in with concern. Instead, we’re receiving updates that reassure us Holly is thriving. That freedom has made a meaningful difference in our lifestyle, allowing us to explore, relax, and experience more, knowing our home and our dog are in good hands.” - Eva, pet parent

And as there’s no money passing between members, something has to replace it. That something is trust, and genuine connection. Since her pet sitting journey began, Angela has earned the trust of many. She’s settled into countless neighborhoods, relished the connections with even more pets, and seen places through the lens of a local that traditional tourists never get the chance to.

Angela: “House sitting has become a lifestyle, and has provided some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. It’s given me the opportunity to travel differently, stay in places I never thought possible, and become part of a community that I never expected to.”

Final tips from Angela

After 18 years of house sitting, Angela is brimming with tips, advice, and pet sitting know-how. 

“Do your research. Spend time on the website or app. Read profiles, reviews and listings carefully. Visit the Community Forum, read member stories, explore the help desk, and really get a feel for how the community works.

Trust is central. Trust grows through communication and experience. If somebody fundamentally feels unable to trust anything or anyone, then house sitting probably won’t feel comfortable for them. But for many people, it’s simply about building confidence step by step.

Start local. Test the waters. Do a weekend sit nearby. Go away for a few days. Build confidence gradually. That’s exactly how I started, my first sit was only ten minutes from home.

Start small. For pet parents, I wouldn’t recommend your very first experience being a three-week trip to the other side of the world.

Communicate. Be open and honest. Ask questions. Arrange video calls. Talk about expectations, routines and responsibilities. The more transparent and authentic the communication is, the more comfortable everybody feels.

Remember that trust is built through real people and real experiences. Once you’ve had one positive sit, whether as a sitter or a pet parent, it becomes much easier to understand why so many people fall in love with this way of travelling and caring for pets.”

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