What is a sit handover? Tips for sitters

So, you’ve agreed to house sit an ADORABLE new fluffy friend in the heart of your dream location - kudos to you for getting your adventure started! While you’re probably on the edge of your seat to get cracking, it’s important to prepare for your sit handover - the perfect chance to get to know the home owners, your responsibilities, and all the quirks of their pets and house. While we encourage you to ask for a welcome guide, nothing beats a sit-down chat before they jet off. So, what does a sit handover look like? Let’s find out…

What is a sit handover?

A rather niche phrase, we’ll admit! A sit handover is the time between you and the pet parent in their home before they jet off. It’s an important opportunity for you to learn all about your responsibilities while they’re away, what their furry family member needs, and to iron out any queries you might have. If you’re a well-seasoned sitter, you’ll know that each house and pet parent is different, so it’s important to stay thorough on the sit handover front! Let’s dive (snouts first) into our top tips, so that your sit handover is smoother than a Dachshund’s locks…

Tips for your sit handover

1. Meet online first 

Okay, this is before your sit handover, but it’s the ideal time for you to get to know one another before you meet in person! Organize a video call - seeing one another’s faces helps to build trust, no end! It also gives you the chance to ask questions about the pets, their behavior, and what your responsibilities will be during your sit. Building a good relationship with the home owners is super important - leaving somebody new in their home can be a little daunting! So, chatting before you meet in person is a great way to build up that vital trust, and to organize your sit handover.

2. Agree on a time frame for the handover

While some pet parents might like you to stay the night before they jet off, others will be happy with a couple of hours! Ask what their preference is, making sure you’ve got time to cover all bases (see below for what these are). And when it comes to the pets, it can really help to settle any separation anxiety if you’re around for a while before their pet parents say their goodbyes. Why? Well seeing the two (or four!) of you getting along in your new fluffy friend’s home will help them to understand you’re not a threat! Granted, the animal kingdom is full of variety, and some pets won’t give two hoots who’s taking care of them (sassy, streetwise kitties, we’re looking at you). On the flip side though, you might be caring for a pooch who’s simply obsessed with their pet parents, so giving them time to get used to your presence (and smells) before their pet parents leave is a great approach. You could even enjoy a little walkies together, so that the home owners can show you Fido’s favorite spots for a wander.

3. Learn about your housekeeping responsibilities

While getting to know your new fluffy friend is a seriously distracting endeavor, remember to ask about your housekeeping duties! Some homeowners might have housekeepers who take care of the daily upkeep of their home, but others won’t. So, even if you’re a well-seasoned pet sitter, each pet parent will differ, and will have varying expectations of you during your sit. Here’s what you should find out about…

• Trash. What day does the trash get collected? What can be recycled? Do they have a food waste bin? Where should you put the bins to make sure they get collected?
• Laundry. Is it your responsibility to wash the bed linen before you leave? Do you need to wash the dog bed? Where’s the laundry detergent? Is there a spare bed in case Fido has an accident?
• Mail. Where would they like you to store their new mail while they’re away?
• Plants. Which plants need watering and when? Do they need any specific feed?
• Birds. How often do they feed the birds?

4. Get the grand tour

Walking the lengths of your new stay with the homeowners taking the lead is the perfect chance to get them to show you where the WiFi box is (and what to do if it cuts out), along with water valves, electricity boxes, and the like. Taking a tour is sure to jog the pet parents’ memories, should there be any house quirks you need to know about before they jet off.

5. What are their rules on guests?

While some pet parents will have a laid back approach to guests, others will be completely against it. Whatever their decision, stick to their rules - they’re under no obligation to let you invite others into their home (no matter how much your friends love pets!).

6. Learn about alarm systems

The last thing you want is to set off the house alarm system, and have no idea how to deactivate it!

7. Emergency contacts

Hopefully you’ll have a super smooth pet sitting experience, but it’s important you have a list of emergency contacts if you can’t get hold of the pet parents while they’re away. Start by asking for a third party contact (maybe a neighbor or family member), then get a little more specific. Should there be a power outage or a leak, find out the number for their supply company. And if something needs to be fixed, you might need to welcome a tradesperson into the home. Find out the contact for their chosen electrician, plumber (and maybe even a mechanic). And if the fluffy friend you’re taking care of falls ill or has an accident, it’s important you know who their go-to vet is.

8. Spare keys

While we really hope you’re able to keep hold of the house keys, life sometimes happens and you misplace them. So, find out if a neighbor on the street, a family member or close friend has a spare set so that you can get back in. If you do lose a set of keys, get in contact with the homeowners to find out the next steps they’d like you to take.

9. Any house quirks you should know about?

Not all houses were made equal, and some have some seriously odd quirks! Whether it’s the weird motion you need to do to open the cupboards (Man vs. Bee, we’re looking at you), the special twist needed to get the shower going, or the force needed to get the back door shut, every home has its oddities. Get the pet parents to reveal all to make sure you’re in the know, and not having to call them up because you can’t get the water running!

10. Their pets A-Z

The most important one! Spend some time finding out all there is to know about their furry family members. Anyone who’s spent time around pets will know that each has their own little personality, quirks and traits. Here’s a few questions you can ask to get to know your new fluffy friend and best take care of them…

• What’s the walkies and feeding schedule?
• Do they have a fixed bed time?
• Are they allowed in all areas of the house?
• What triggers/scares them?
• What helps to relax them?
• Do they need any specific medication?
• Is there enough pet food in the house to cover the time you’re sitting?
• What’s their favorite toy/game?
• What cues do they best respond to?
• Any tips on walkies?
• How long do you expect them to be out for (if you’re sitting a kitty!)?
• What are they like with other people and pets?

11. Agree on a communication plan

While some pet parents will love nothing more than daily updates on their favorite furry family member, others would rather only hear from you in an emergency. Ask the question, allow boundaries to be set and stick to them - simple!

12. Make an end-of-sit plan

Find out whether they’d like you to be around when they get back - some may love a cuppa and a catch up, whereas others would prefer to get back to a quiet, tidy home. On that note - make sure you leave the home as you left it and replace any food.

House sitting abroad soon?

Exciting times ahead for you, then! House sitting is one of the best ways to see the world - with a fluffy friend by your side, of course. To help you plan ahead, here’s what you need to prepare for your international house sit.