Traveling Pet Sitter Tips We Wish We Knew from the Start
As experienced traveling pet sitters, we've discovered that learning is a never-ending part of this journey. Beyond adapting to new pets, homes, and cultures, we constantly face unexpected challenges. We've encountered it all, including sick or injured pets, surprising house conditions, and last-second changes to travel plans.
Although these situations can be challenging to navigate, they provide valuable opportunities for growth. Each experience has played a significant role in shaping us into more knowledgeable and experienced pet sitters. Most importantly, these lessons have enabled us to uncover invaluable advice and knowledge about the house sitting lifestyle!
Looking back, if we had possessed the knowledge that we do now from the start, navigating these situations would have been much easier. That's why we're sharing our learned expertise with you today—to empower you with the insight and confidence you need to embark on your house sitting adventures like a pro!
So, let's kick off this post strong with an awesome sitter tip! This tips is one of our favorites to share with new house sitters, as it's a lesson you'd never think about until you learn it the hard way.
Beware of House Sits with a Lack of Reviews from Sitters
As beginner house sitters we made sure to only apply to sits with at least a few reviews. This gave us peace of mind knowing we could rely on the valuable insights left by previous sitters to tell us whether a house sit was worth pursuing or not.
So when we had a bad experience with a house sit that had dozens of glowing reviews, we were shocked! Surely we couldn’t have been the only sitters to experience the problems that we encountered while on assignment.
We turned to house sitter community forums to understand why this was happening, and discovered a surprising trend that many house sitters will deliberately choose to not review a bad house sit! While some house sitters may not leave a review because they forgot or didn’t think it was important; In some instances, house sitters may choose to not leave a review because they had a poor experience.
The first reason is specific to TrustedHousesitters and their current review system. Unlike Airbnb, where reviews are not visible until both parties submit their reviews, TrustedHousesitters allows reviews to be seen instantly. This is problematic because if you write a negative review before receiving your own, it can potentially affect how the other person reviews you. It’s rumored that the platform is working on changing this, but until then, the lack of transparent and honest reviews will continue.
The other reason sitters may not leave a review is due to the friendly nature of these exchanges. It’s common to form connections with people you meet through house sitting. Unsurprisingly, it’s not easy to publicly criticize people you have come to know as close friends.
While we still believe honesty is the best policy, we acknowledge the complexities of the situation. We too have refrained from mentioning minor issues in public reviews, opting for private feedback instead. Our general rule of thumb is, If anything occurred that would strongly impact your own decision to decline a house sit, particularly if it's likely to happen again, you should mention it in your public review.
While a lack of reviews may not warrant canceling your application entirely, you should be on the look out for any additional warning signs. And, as a responsible practice, please always leave a review to assist future sitters in making informed decisions about house sitting listings!
This Lifestyle Can be Stressful
While house sitting has granted us the ability to slow down and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle, the reality remains that this lifestyle can be accompanied by its fair share of stress.
Accidents happen - items break, and things can get lost. It can be quite stressful to handle such situations. Or even more concerning, what to do in the case the pet starts to show potential signs of illness or injury. On top of it all, you’re probably traveling a reasonable or far distance to a house sit, so you’re having to deal with the stress of traveling to a new destination and adjusting to an unfamiliar environment.
Luckily, we’ve learned there are precautions you can take to protect yourself and help you navigate these unpleasant situations. Some easy precautions you can take are investing in quality travel insurance, upgrading to receive the benefits offered by TrustedHousesitters Premium membership, and taking online pet behavior and CPR classes.
The key to reducing stress as a traveling pet sitters is through preparation. With the right tools, resources, and knowledge at your disposal, you can approach any stressful situation with confidence and ease.
House Sits Will Fall Short of Your Expectations
If you start house sitting regularly, it's important to know that you will likely encounter listings that have been inaccurately described or exaggerated.
Perhaps you arrive at a home that’s cleanliness is not up to standard, or certain amenities are outdated and not functioning as expected. In other instances, you may discover that the pet has some naughty quirks or that they require attention and effort than what the owner described. Sometimes these situations are unavoidable, even if you’re diligent during the interview process.
While it can be disappointing, do your best to approach these situations with a proactive and positive mindset. Communication is often the best place to start. Bring up any concerns or issues with the homeowners, and see if they can offer up any solutions.
If at any point, you feel you are being placed in a potentially dangerous or unsafe situation, reach out to your house sitting platform’s customer support immediately. House sitters are not obligated to remain at a sit that is uninhabitable or unsafe, and they can assist you with next steps.
Don’t skip the video call!
Our only poor experience was because we didn’t take the time to do a video call. Now, we do not accept sits without taking the time to do this step!
Video calls are the best way to authenticate a house sit from afar. During a call you can politely request a virtual tour of the home. A video tour will allow you to ensure everything matches up with what was described in the listing. Also use this time to ask important questions, discuss expectations, and address any concerns. Doing so will help you better understand the pets' routines, personalities, and specific needs.
Likewise, the pet owner can get to know you more and feel confident entrusting their pets and home to your care.
While video calls are about gaining information, it's also about trusting our instincts. Non-verbal cues and overall vibes can provide valuable insights into the suitability of the match.
Lastly, if a pet owner or sitter is unwilling to meet over a video call, we would personally consider it a red flag. While it may be uncomfortable or difficult to find time for a call, safety is the priority and this step should not be skipped!
Start by House Sitting Locally
When we first began house sitting, we focused all of our energy on applying to sits abroad. This was a big waste of time, and had we been accepted we think it would’ve been a big mistake! While it may be tempting to kick off your house sitting adventures in a dreamy, far away land, there are a few reasons that starting closer to home is a better choice.
The house sitting market is competitive. While some sitters manage to land their dream gig right away, most of us need to build up our reputation to be chosen for desirable jobs, especially those abroad.
Applying locally offers you an advantage! Owners typically prefer local applicants because it’s reassuring knowing you don’t have a far distance to travel. Additionally, being within a nearby distance presents a great opportunity to meet well in advance, ensuring it’s a good match on all sides!
Lastly, by starting locally you won’t have language barriers to overcome, or cultural differences to navigate. If any issues or emergencies arise, you will already understand where, and how, to access certain resources and support networks to help.
Although we would've been fine house sitting abroad from the start, we are glad that we started local. It allowed us to get familiar with the system and work through any troubles in a familiar and safe environment. We definitely recommend this approach for any new sitter, as it offers an excellent opportunity to build confidence and develop the necessary skills to handle unexpected situations with ease!
Don’t get Caught up in the Glamour!
We once heard a story of a single sitter who applied to a house sit on an idyllic Caribbean island. Caught up by the thought of relaxing on white sand beaches and walking the dog beneath swaying palm trees, the house sitter failed to vet the home and pet owner properly.
Unfortunately for the sitter, they arrived to a less than dreamy stay. The home was left in poor, nearly unlivable condition. The sitter was also surprised to discover additional pets on the premises that they were expected to care for. To top it all off, the owner was a terrible communicator, and they did not make themselves easily available during the trip.
Suddenly, this sitter’s dream vacation had turned into a nightmare.
Unfortunately, this is a situation we hear about all the time. New sitters eagerly apply for house sits in glamorous homes or stunning destinations, and neglect to prioritize important considerations during the interview process. As a result, they are faced with unpleasant surprises, like the one described above.
To avoid this mistake, take a step back and look at the entire picture when applying to a house sit. Don't just be swayed by appearances alone. As always, ask plenty of questions over a video call and request a virtual tour of the home. But also consider other important factors such as the cost to living in that area, how difficult it is to reach the sit, and whether or not you will you have access to transport.
By maintaining a down-to-earth perspective and prioritizing the right considertaion when choosing a house sit, you'll set yourself up for a more successful and enjoyable house sitting experience!
Now you Know the Insider Tips we Didn’t!
There you have it - the insider tips and information we wish we had when we began our house sitting journey! As you embark on your own adventures, remember that learning is a continuous process. However, with this valuable insight, you'll have a strong foundation to start your journey like a pro.
We genuinely hope that our blog post has equipped you with the knowledge and confidence to kickstart your travels. If you're ready for more pet sitter tips, tricks, and firsthand experiences, we invite you to explore our other posts and subscribe to our blog for more regular updates. Thanks for reading, and happy house sitting!
For tips, advice, and stories, check out these posts:
