How to Find a Pet Sitter (Learn to Find A Reliable and Trustworthy Sitter)

Whether you’re planning to travel out of town or return to work, you may be looking for pet-sitting services. There are many ways to find a pet sitter for your precious fur baby.

But should you opt for a pet sitter or send your pet to a doggy daycare or boarding facility? Pet sitting services are usually less expensive, and a reliable pet sitter can make your pet feel at home and safe in its familiar environment. Below, I’ll outline exactly how you can find a reliable and responsible sitter for your pets.

Why Hire A Pet Sitter?

Professional pet sitters usually provide a better experience than friends or family. That’s because they have professional experience and strive to provide outstanding service.

Use a Professional Service to Find a Pet Sitter (Our Top Recommendation)

Using a professional pet-sitting site gives you access to thousands of house sitters, who you can book immediately. Many sites allow you to search pet sitter profiles by location, years of experience, average rate, and star ratings. For example, you can filter for only 5-star pet sitters. 

Plus, some sites will also cover you and the pet sitter for insurance, so you don’t have to worry about that.

Below is the number one site we recommend to our friends and family! We love this site because you don’t have to pay your housesitter a nightly rate. You pay for the membership annually, and you get access to thousands of housesitters with background checks, reviews, and ratings. You can check the site we are discussing by clicking the button below.

If you want 30% off your membership with Trusted House Sitters, use the code TRAVELHS

Some house sitters provide their services for free and for a fee, if you want to know the average dog sitting rate, you can see it here. Its good to know what the average cost of a housesitter will be.

Finding a Pet Sitter Through Recommendations and Word of Mouth

Getting recommendations from trusted people is one of the best ways to find a reliable pet sitter. Friends, family, or neighbors with pets can provide firsthand insights into the sitter’s level of care and reliability. Chances are, someone in your network has already used a sitter they trust and can connect you to. Ask around—personal referrals often lead to great matches for both you and your pet.

Here are places you can start with to ask for recommendations: 

Family

Friends

Co-Workers

Local Vets, Dog Clubs

Neighbors, Family Members or Friends 

Turning to animal-loving friends, family members, or neighbors can be a great option when you’re in a pinch. They often already know your pet, making the transition easier for everyone. Plus, a trusted friend or family member may be happy to help and earn a little extra cash. Their familiarity with you and your pet can provide peace of mind, especially for last-minute arrangements.

Dog Groomer or Doggy Daycare

If you already use a dog groomer or a doggy daycare, they can be excellent sources for pet sitter recommendations. Many groomers or daycare staff have firsthand experience with pets and may even offer pet-sitting services themselves to supplement their income. Since they’re already familiar with caring for animals, you can feel confident that your pet will be in capable hands.

Veterinarian 

Your veterinarian is an excellent resource when searching for pet care options. They often have a network of trusted providers, including part-time pet sitters, boarding facilities, humane societies, and other pet care professionals. Veterinarians can connect you with groomers, animal hospitals, and training courses. Their recommendations are typically reliable, as they prioritize your pet’s well-being.

Pet Sitters Should Be Trained in First Aid

While many professional sitters emphasize offering “love” and “cuddles,” it’s crucial to prioritize those with first aid training. Anyone can snuggle with their pet and snap selfies, but not everyone can handle emergencies like a cat peeing outside the litter box or a dog choking on something they shouldn’t have eaten. Seek out pet sitters certified by reputable third-party organizations in pet first aid—this expertise can make all the difference in ensuring your pet’s safety and well-being.

Test Them Out

You won’t find the perfect sitter by only looking at pet sitter profiles. Give a sitter a test run by inviting them over to meet your pets and see how they interact with one another.

If they seem to be hitting it off, let them spend time together. Qualified individuals with pet experience should know how to approach a pet and get excited when they see one. 

Meet & Greet Potential House Sitters

Letting your pet with separation anxiety meet the house sitters ahead of time can help you feel at ease while you’re gone. Meet and Greets are a great way to evaluate whether your pet gets along with the sitter and see how experienced the sitter is with pets. 

Get to know their personality and how they operate. Furthermore, see how they approach your pet and play with them. Avoid overaggressive sitters, but stay away from sitters who seem shy or uncomfortable around pets. 

Tips on Interviewing

As pet owners, we fear having a bad sitter take care of our fur baby.

We want to find the proper care take who will keep your pets safe and spend quality time with them. Here are tips for the interview process. 

  1. Ask questions to determine whether they are the right fit. For example, you may ask:
    • What type of pet-sitting experience do you have?
    • Do you have any formal pet training?
    • Can you give references? 
    • How do you operate?
  2. Read the contract thoroughly. Many pet care agencies will provide a contract to sign to protect both parties. Read the fine print thoroughly and clarify anything you don’t understand.  
  3. Ask them what specific scenarios. For instance, what would you do if another dog attacked our pup? Allow them to explain how they would handle certain situations. 

Here is what to ask the potential house sitter in an interview.

Police Check & References

A pet sitter should have a police check on their profile. Knowing that you aren’t bringing a formal criminal into your home eases your mind. Most sites perform an annual background check on their pet sitters to ensure they haven’t been arrested recently. 

Make sure to ask for references. Contact the references and inquire about their experience with the sitter. Ask them if the sitter was respectful of their home and how they treated their pet. 

Find A Sitter That Sends Daily Updates

Communication is key to establishing trust. A sitter should provide daily updates about their visits. They may send photos and videos that show how happy your pets are. A lack of communication means you’ll be left in the dark about your pet. 

Decide What You Need From a Pet Sitter

Make sure you know what qualities to look for before you begin searching. For example, if you own a young pup with lots of energy, consider hiring a younger person who can handle their excessive tugging and biting.

There are also different types of sitters to consider:

  • Dog boarding sitters are professionals who take the pet to their own home. This option is much better than sending your canine friend to a boarding kennel. 
  • Drop-in dog sitters provide drop-in visits for a set period for potty breaks or long walks. This service is ideal for individuals with full-time jobs.
  • In-house dog sitters stay in your home to provide your pet with more extensive care and attention. 

Give Them the Tools They Need to Succeed

A new pet sitter is likely unfamiliar with your home and pet. Equip your excellent pet sitter with everything they need to succeed. That is why we have put together a dog sitter instructions template, you can customize it with all your information.

  • Provide a tour of the house. Ensure to show them where the food and water are, the litterbox, the bathroom, and anything else they need to know. 
  • Share your contact information so they can ask you questions or call you in case of emergency. 
  • Let them know what to expect regarding key pickup and drop-off, payment, and anything else that may come up. Make sure to agree on hourly rates ahead of time. 

We have also put together some resources on how to prep your home for a house sitter. This way they can provide the best service possible.

We’ve equipped you with all the knowledge you need to find the perfect pet sitter. Now it’s your turn! Find a sitter who can care for your fur baby while you’re away. 

Want to Use a Professional Service to Find a Pet Sitter (Our Top Recommendation)

Still looking for a pet sitter? Remember, Trusted House Sitter gives you access to thousands of sitters, allowing you to filter by location, experience, rates, and reviews. It also often includes insurance coverage for added peace of mind. Our top recommendation is a membership-based site that provides access to background-checked sitters with reviews and ratings, eliminating the need to pay nightly rates. Check it out below!

If you want 30% off your membership with Trusted House Sitters, use the code TRAVELHS

Author: Britt

I am Britt. I have been house-sitting and pet-sitting for the past seven years. I have cared for 25 dogs, 35 cats, one turtle, and one rabbit over 80+ houses in 15 countries.

The opportunity to experience different homes, cultures, and communities has been extraordinary.

I’ve connected with homeowners seeking reliable sitters through house-sitting platforms like Aussie House Sitters and Trusted House Sitters. This unique way of living has allowed me to save money on accommodation, explore new cultures, and meet new people.

Being a member of these platforms has broadened my horizons and opened doors to short- and long-term house-sitting jobs. I’ve found joy in providing excellent pet care and ensuring the home is well-maintained.

I get many questions about how to start as a housesitter, so please reach out if you have any questions! I want everyone to enjoy this incredible lifestyle as well!

You can read more about Jay and me here!

Or connect with me on Facebook or in our house-sitting community on Facebook.

House Sitting in Salon-de-Provence
Me (Britt) House Sitting in Salon-de-Provence, France

2 thoughts on “How to Find a Pet Sitter (Learn to Find A Reliable and Trustworthy Sitter)”

  1. Hello,
    My name is Manali Reddy.
    I own a 3 bedroom house in Ashford, Kent with a fully furnished spare room.
    I am looking for someone who can stay at my home and look after my cats and the house while I’m away for a one month vacation. Short term and long term rent free letting available in exchange for house and pet sitting.
    Kindly help.

    1. Hi Manali

      Thanks for writing in!

      No worries at all, I would suggest looking at Trusted House Sitters to book in a house sitter.

      Using a site like that ensures you are covered by insurance.
      Let me know how you go

      Best,

      Brittnay

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