Updated 29 Aug 2024
When a break from the same old thing is calling, making the decision to leave your pets at home can be hard. And naturally, finding the right kind of care for your pet is a number one priority.
If you need something more reliable than favors from neighbors and family members, you might be considering a pet sitter. But are pet sitters trustworthy? How can you be sure they’re right for your home and pets?
Stick with us as we explore how to find a pet sitter you can trust.
Why welcome a pet sitter?
There are many pet care options out there - kennels, catteries, dog boarding, and so much more. So why welcome a pet sitter? Well first and foremost, vets agree pets are happier at home - surrounded by all the sights, smells and sounds that give them comfort. If a vet-approved pet care option sounds like the right choice for your furry family, here are a few more reasons why welcoming a trustworthy pet sitter is best for your pets:
- Pets stay in the comfort of home - staying at home feels like less of an upheaval
- Pets’ routine is maintained, which helps to avoid anxiety
- Pets don’t have to get used to the company of strange animals
- Pets have 24/7, 1:1 love and care, unlike the care in a boarding center or cattery
- Staying at home means less chance of picking up diseases from other animals, as is often the case in a kennel or cattery
- TrustedHousesitters’ sitters care for animals for love, not money
If you’re intrigued by the idea of finding a pet sitter to care for your furry family members in the comfort of your own home, find out how welcoming a pet sitter works with us. That way, you can make the best choice for your pets and home, with peace of mind about who you’re letting inside your home.
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How to find a pet sitter with TrustedHousesitters
Are pet sitters trustworthy?
So, you’re seriously considering welcoming a pet sitter to keep your furry family in the comfort of home, in the routines that make them feel safe. But something is still bugging you - are pet sitters safe? Can you trust pet sitters?
Well here are a few facts that might help to settle your mind when choosing a TrustedHousesitters pet sitter. We require all of our sitters to complete free identity checks, so that owners can connect with peace of mind.
Take a look below for more details on the verifications, checks, references and more that owners can view on a sitters’ profile at any time.
Background checks
This confirms…
- National Criminal Records search has come back clear
- No county-level adverse policy violations are found
- They aren’t on any sex offender registry
- SSN Trace & Address History has been completed
- They aren’t on the Domestic & Global Terrorist Watchlists
- FCRA-compliant
ID verifications
This confirms a sitter's identity has been verified and cross-checked, using an official government ID.
References
This is a character reference that vouches for the sitter - the referee can be a pet owner, or another trusted person, such as a landlord, lecturer or employer.
Email and phone verification
This confirms that the sitter’s phone number and email address have been checked and confirmed genuine.
Reviews
People who the sitter has previously sat for have the chance to leave reviews, visible on their TrustedHousesitters profile. This gives pet parents the chance to see what like-minded others feel about their experience with the sitter.
Video calls
Before and after securing a sitter, pet parents have the option to arrange a phone or video call with the pet sitter. It’s a chance to get to know one another, giving peace of mind that the person they’re choosing is genuine and a true pet lover. In fact, having shared so much before meeting in person, owners often know their pet’s sitter better than those they live next-door to.
Sitting for love, not money
Another way to feel safer welcoming a pet sitter is to opt for sitters who sit for the love of animals, not for money. At TrustedHousesitters, nothing is exchanged between pet parents and sitters other than loving pet care and a place to stay.
How to find a trustworthy pet sitter
Finding a pet sitter is simple - while you can hire a pet sitter from an agency, opting for a professional pet sitter, one way to ensure the person you’re choosing is here for the right reasons is to opt for a sitter where nothing is exchanged but pet care and a place to stay.
For example, with a TrustedHousesitters annual membership, pet parents can choose from thousands of pet lovers, here for the love of animals and meeting like-minded people.
So to find a pet sitter, simply choose an annual plan, create your listing, and get connecting with trusted pet sitters.
Secure a trustworthy sitter
How to find a good dog sitter
Vets agree that dogs are happier at home - creatures of habit, it’s their familiar routine and the smells they’re used to that bring pups true comfort while their owners are away.
To find trustworthy pet sitters, owners with a TrustedHousesitters membership simply create a listing, detailing all their pup’s needs, quirks, habits and routines.
Pet parents are also required to create a welcome guide for sitters, where even more detail is shared on the sitter’s responsibilities, all to ensure pups are given the care they need while their humans are away.
To get started, explore trusted dog sitters to see who you could be connecting with, ahead of your next vacation.
Connect with a trusted dog sitter
How to find a cat sitter
It can take a while for cats to get used to new humans and animals, which is why welcoming a pet sitter is the best option for them, over a cattery or boarding facility.
To find a cat sitter, our owner members simply create a listing, explaining everything they’ll need from a sitter. From keeping kitty indoors, to the catio’s latch quirks, litter box rotations, and when to expect the cat to return home, it can all be clearly stated from the off, ensuring cat lovers pet sitting for their feline companions are up for the job.
Like all of our other sitters, cat sitters with TrustedHousesitters are verified, referenced, have completed background checks and will be building up their bank of reviews. So ahead of your next vacation, why not connect with a trusted cat sitter?
Connect with a trusted cat sitter
Questions to ask a pet sitter
- Have you had any pets in the past?
- What is your experience looking after cats/dogs/rabbits/horses/guinea pigs/tropical fish?
- What are your main motivations for pet sitting?
- What do you enjoy most about pet sitting?
- What would you do in ‘x’ situation?
Hear from owner member, John, and sitters Peter and Debs
TrustedHousesitters reviews
Explore what our members have to say, over on TrustPilot.
“I have had nothing but great luck using TRUSTEDHOUSESITTERS.COM. I have a small hobby farm with a variety of animals, a garden and two dogs and every sitter I've had has been absolutely wonderful. Being able to have sitters apply, a background check done, provide references and conduct a video interview is beyond valuable. A truly great service.”
“Trusted Housesitters have given us freedom. Through the site we have found a number of sitters who have ultimately become friends. Both parties win from this concept, we could not be happier. Living in Greece but also in the UK at times THS has given us flexibility and peace of mind.”
“TrustedHousesitters offer a friendly, and user-friendly service. The information people provide about themselves gives you a sense of who they are and what they are looking for in a 'sit' and therefore, if they are like-minded, and feel suitable for your home and location. I've only ever had a good experience, and feel better for meeting lovely people in the process.”
Secure a trusted pet sitter
Are pet sitters trustworthy? FAQs
Pet sitters from reputable platforms like TrustedHousesitters have to go through a thorough verification process to ensure they are who they say they are. As well as this, owners and sitters should always arrange a chat before confirming the sit so they can find out a little more about each other and what’s expected. Take a look at our post, 7 things to look for in a pet sitter, for more details.
It’s a well-known fact that pets are happier at home, and with the help of a loving, in-house pet sitter, you can jet off on holiday knowing that your four-pawed pal’s got a best buddy for his staycation. At TrustedHousesitters, our community of pet-loving sitters gives precious pets all the love and attention they deserve while their pet parents are away.
Useful resources for pet parents
Feel like we’ve cleared up the question - are pet sitters trustworthy? Great - take a look below for more house sitting know-how so that welcoming sitters is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
- How are sitters verified?
- How to connect with free pet sitters
- How to create the perfect owner listing
- House sitting etiquette for pet parents
Live with a pet in Denver, Seattle or Portland?
Now we’ve cleared up the question - are pet sitters trustworthy - and you’re feeling ready to welcome a sitter to keep your furry family happy at home, what to do before your vacation?
Well we’ve crunched the numbers, and it turns out that a huge chunk of you own pets in Portland, Denver and Seattle. So to pass the time before your next vacation and your next trusty sitter, take a look at things to do in your pet-friendly city below.
