5 reasons people love in-home pet sitters

Updated 27/11/24

Did you know that over half the world’s population pet parents at least one pet? And every year, more and more of these lucky people are choosing in-home pet sitters as their preferred pet care option. Here are just five reasons why…

Why people love in-home pet sitters

If you ask the members of our caring community, you’re likely to find hundreds of wonderful reasons why pet parents would rather welcome people who enjoy pet sitting in homes around the world, rather than sending their furry family to kennels. To help busy pet parents like you, we've whittled it down to a much more readable five reasons...

1. Furry families are happier with in-home pet sitters

From talking to our members, it’s clear that their pets' happiness is the number one reason for choosing an in-house pet sitter. 

Why do pets prefer live-in pet sitters so much, though? Well because they provide dedicated care of course, keep them feeling safe by following their routine, and let them stay in their happy place — their own home. This means there’s no need for them to put so much as a paw in a travel case, pick out just one toy to take with them, or adapt to a new environment. 

Of course, we didn’t just judge our pet’s happiness by their purrs, binkies, or wagging tails; we asked the experts for their thoughts on in-home pet care. What we found was that vets around the world agree that almost all pets feel safest and happiest when at home. Pets are happier at home, so pet sitting is a no brainer for animal lovers, right?

2. In-home dog sitters, cat sitters and more are kind, caring, and convenient

Not only does choosing an in-home pet sitter mean your furry family member doesn’t need to travel to a local boarding facility, but neither do you!

All you need to do on departure day is pack up, welcome the pet sitter into your home, and set off knowing you’ll return to a safe and happy pet. Just imagine how much time and effort (and even heartache) this will save, especially if you have multiple pets. Whether you have a dog and cat, a brood of birds or a menagerie of all different animals, conveniently in your home, pet sitters can give your furry family the TLC they deserve, and keep the whole pack together.

3. In-home pet sitters keep your pets and home safe

It's not just dog walking and dinner time that'll be taken care of, either. Of course, allowing pet sitting at your home means your house will also be kept safe and secure while you’re away. While lovely members from our community will be in your home pet sitting, their presence may prevent potential break-ins, and will also mean that somebody is around to deal with surprise weather situations. You can even find long-term in-home pet sitters who will keep your home running smoothly through the seasons, avoiding issues like frozen water pipes or clogged gutters. 

“I now have worry free holidays knowing that my pet is happy, my garden looked after, and my home is secure.” 

— Rosina Morris, TrustedHousesitters member from the United Kingdom

4. In-home pet sitters care for your plants, ponds, and pools

Whether it’s a prize-winning rose garden or a couple of indoor pot plants, you may also need a helping hand (preferably from an in-home pet sitter with green fingers) with keeping your plants perky while you’re away. Perhaps your outdoor area also includes a pool that needs to be kept clean or a pond that requires a close eye. 

Most of our in-house pet sitters are happy to take on these extra responsibilities if you ask them to. If you have chosen a professional pet sitter who charges, they may ask for an extra fee. However, if they're a member of TrustedHousesitters, all you have to do is ask first and most members will be happy to help.

5. Caring for pets gives sitters meaning

It’s true - our community is here for more than a love of exploration - our members provide in-home dog sitting, cat sitting and more for the sheer love of pets. So, you can rest assured your furry family are being loved and cared for by an in-home pet sitter who adores the animal kingdom just as much as you do. So, if you were ever wondering why would somebody come pet sitting in my home for free, well they’re here for the love of travelling the world and ultimately, caring for the pets in it. So, if you're ready to connect with loving pet people just like you to care for your furry family in the comfort of home, connect with an in-home pet sitter (and be sure to follow our guide to house sitting etiquette).

There are many more reasons to love in-house pet sitters...

Ok, so we couldn’t cut the list down to five — especially for those connecting with in-home pet sitters from our caring community. 

In the world of TrustedHousesitters, sitters are pet-loving people like you who have purchased an annual membership simply to spend time with pets in new places. Not only does this mean they’ve paid in order to apply provide in-home pet minding, but they also won’t charge a fee for doing so.

Our members exchange in-home pet care free of charge in exchange for a place to stay and a pet to snuggle. This can be a real relief to pet parents; imagine knowing your animals and home are in the hands of a genuine pet lover like you. 

To help your in-home pet sitter provide you with complete peace of mind while you’re away, a TrustedHousesitters membership also includes: 

• Home and Contents Protection* that covers all sits arranged and confirmed through TrustedHousesitters for up to $1 million (USD)
• Secure ID checks for sitters — you can even read external references and reviews left by other pet parents
• A free 24/7 Vet Advice Line providing round-the-clock expertise while on a sit
• A Membership Services team waiting to answer any questions
• A safe and secure app and website for you to connect and communicate with sitters, without posting any private information

*Standard and Premium only

Don’t just take our word for it…

Take a look at some of the most recent Trustpilot reviews left by pet parents who are connecting with in-house pet sitters from TrustedHousesitters: 

As a pet owner, I struggle with not taking our dog everywhere we go. But when we must get away, finding a place to take my dog is met with frustration, anxiety, and extraordinary financial costs. 

After using TrustedHousesitters for two sits, I will never go back to boarding. Not only was our house and beloved pet looked after, someone else gets a place to stay. Both times our home was left in great condition (even better than we left it) and our dog was well looked after. 

— Kelly Storek, pet parent member from America

This was my first time arranging pet sitting in my home, and I was nervous about it. The visit was 10 days, which is a long time to be away from your dog anyway. My house sitter, Donna, was awesome - on meeting her I felt much better and she was terrific about sending text updates and keeping in touch.

 The dogs didn't seem to miss me, they got walks and treats, so they were happy. Plus, Donna took care of the small vegetable garden and I came home to a really clean house. Donna seems to be amazingly self-sufficient and I hope she knows what peace of mind she gave me.

— Ginger H, pet parent member from America

Discover more reasons to love in-home pet sitters

Love the idea of a true pet lover cat sitting or dog sitting in your own home, with your furry family surrounded by familiar comforts? Ready to realise your own reasons for loving a live-in pet sitter? Take a look at through the profiles of thousands of pet sitters near and far away, today. 

If you’d like any help getting started or want to know more, just get in touch. You can also find even more answers to common pet sitting questions on our blog, so be sure to have a sniff around.

Related article: Read Melanie and Denis's story about how they were able to spend Christmas with their family for the first time in 5 years thanks to their in-home pet sitter.