What do pet parents want to see in a sitter profile?

Whether you’re new to the TrustedHousesitters community or a seasoned sitter with a plethora of pet sits to your name, it's always a sound idea to regularly review your sitter profile - and make it the best it can be.

And who better to help you build the perfect sitter profile than our pet parent members themselves? We’ve listened to a handful of our trusted members to find out exactly what they’re looking for in a sitter's profile - and here they are.

All about you…

Your introduction

Our pet parent members will be trusting you with their home and pets - so understandably, they'll want to get to know you as a person. 

This is your chance to let pet parents know all about you, what you do for a living, your hobbies and interests, and what you like to do in your spare time. If you work from home, this is a great point to mention as it lets pet parents know that you’ll be home with their pets for most of the day. 

Pictures

Our members told us that pictures with pets are one of the main things they look for when it comes to choosing a sitter. Pick friendly, welcoming pet sitting pictures that show off your love of pets. 

Why do you want to house and pet sit? 

Naturally, pet parents want to know your heart is in the right place. So, share what you hope to gain from spending time with pets in new places. Whether you’re newly retired and looking for a fulfilling way to make the most of your freedom, or just love pets but (due to renting or other life commitments) can’t have any of your own right now. Be upfront and try to create a connection.

Your experience…

Pets you've cared for in the past

Pet parents want to know their animals are in safe hands, and this is your chance to talk about the pets you've cared for in the past. 

In your profile and house sitting application message, mention if you're able to groom animals or administer medications, if you have experience caring for certain kinds of pets (like specific breeds, puppies, older pets, or exotic pets), or animals with certain traits (such as nervousness or pets with separation anxiety).

Don't worry if this is your first sit - any kind of previous pet care experience is relevant, as well as your passion for animals.

Home care

If you’ve got any other skills, experience or interests, such as gardening or looking after house plants, mention this in your profile.

Your preferences…

Preferred pets and homes

It’s always a good idea to stay open-minded and flexible when it comes to finding a sit - especially if you’re a new or first-time sitter. But to help pet parents get to know you a little better, and to help you both on your way to finding the perfect match, it can be useful to share a bit about the kinds of pets you're able to look after.

Trust and safety…

References

When speaking to our pet parent members, there was one very important thing that came up time after time: references. 

References from people whose pets you’ve cared for in the past, previous employers or landlords are a great way to give pet parents the reassurance they need. Our data wizards also told us that having at least 3 references on your profile can boost your chances of securing a sit by 20%.

Add those final flourishes…

Done all of the above, and still wondering what you can add to your sitter profile? Add these finishing touches:

• Profile headline. Write a short, snappy headline that will catch a pet parent’s attention.
• Consider our Duo Sitter add-on. If you’ll usually be house sitting with someone else, consider our Duo Sitter add-on which allows your co-sitter to get fully verified too (phone, email, and ID/background checks). The add-on helps to reassure pet parents about who’ll be looking after their pets and home, as both your verified statuses will appear on your profile. For more information, head to our help desk article on how to activate our Duo Sitter add-on.
• Set up a saved search.  Saved searches (which apply to our Standard and Premium sitter members) are a great way to receive personalized sit alerts.

House sitting etiquette for sitters

To make sure you're fully prepared and know what to expect, head on over to our blog where we've answered our members' most frequently asked questions on house sitting etiquette.