Pet Sitter Frequently Asked Questions
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Quickly navigate to an answer by click on a question.
1. How does a house sitting exchange work?
2. Do I need to pay to join a house sitting site?
3. Who pays for the travel costs?
4. How can I find reliable and trustworthy house sitting opportunities?
6. Why do my applications keep getting declined?
7. Can I pet sit with my partner or friend?
8. Can I bring my family with me?
9. Can I take my pet with me on a pet sitting assignment?
10. What is the average length of a house sitting assignment?
11. What types of pets can I expect to care for during a house sit?
12. Are there house sitting opportunities that don’t include pets?
13. How do I communicate with the homeowner during the house sitting exchange?
14. What happens if there is an emergency with the pets or the home while I am house sitting?
How does a house sitting exchange work?
A house sitting exchange is the trade of free pet care for free accommodation. These opportunities can be found on specific websites designed for these exchanges. House sitting exchanges benefit everyone involved! Owners receive affordable and trusted pet care, house sitters save on travel costs, and pets are able to stay in their familiar environment while maintaining their everyday routines. Overall, it’s a genius and cost-effective solution for travelers and pet owners alike!
You can expect to pay some Membership fee in order to join a reputable house sitting exchange platform. Membership fees will vary from $20-$250+ depending on the platform you choose and which subscription level you opt for. There are some websites and facebook pages where you can find sitters or house sitting opportunities for free. However, if it’s superior safety features, user-friendliness, and number of connections that you are seeking, you aren’t likely to find them through free sources. Need help choosing a platform? Click here to read our favorite recommendations!
Do I need to pay to join a house sitting site?
For house sit exchanges, it is the responsibility of the pet sitter to cover their own travel expenses. That said, pet owners may choose to help reduce travel costs further by providing the free use of their car or food for the sitter. If you are looking for paid house sitting opportunities, you can potentially find them in your country of residence using a local dog-walking or pet-sitting app.
Who pays for the travel costs?
How can I find reliable and trustworthy house sitting opportunities?
Finding reliable and trustworthy house sitting opportunities can be made easier by using websites such as TrustedHousesitters, Aussie House Sitters, or House Sitters of America. These companies are consistently updating their sites in order to improve user experience and to ensure your house sit exchanges go as safe and smooth as possible. Each site has been around for more than 13+ years, so you can trust that they are reputable and well established.
How can I build my profile and increase my chances of being selected for a house sit?
To increase your chances of being selected for house sitting assignments, it's important that you have a detailed and professional profile. Your house sitter profile should include relevant experience, references, and clear and friendly photos of yourself. On top of that, a successful house sit exchange is all about finding the right match, so be sure to show off your awesome personality! This will make you stand out to the right pet owner who your personality resonates with. If you are looking for more advice to help boost your success rate as a house sitter, check out our other free resources here.
Why do my applications keep getting declined?
If you're new to the app and don't have many reviews yet, this may be the reason why your applications are getting declined. Ask for additional references from friends, family, or people you’ve worked for outside of the platform to boost your reputability. To gain more experience and positive reviews, consider starting pet-sitting locally or applying to last-minute sits. When sending an application message, implement our recommended strategies to stand out from other applicants from the start. Most of all, don’t get discouraged. Having your application get declined is common when you're starting out, so don't give up and keep applying!
Yes! We house sit as a couple ourselves. Most house sitting websites allow you to create a single profile and add a partner, or you can just make it clear in your description that you are house sitting as a couple or with a friend. Note that most pet owners will allow partners to apply for their house sit, but some owners may request single applicants due to their pet’s needs or their own preferences.
Can I pet sit with my partner or friend?
Whether or not you can bring your family with you on an assignment will depend on the specific pet sitting assignment and the preferences of the pet owner. You can find out this information within the listing of the pet owner, or by inquiring. Some websites have also introduced a filter so users can easily search for family friendly sits.
Can I bring my family with me?
Can I take my pet with me on a pet sitting assignment?
Sometimes! Whether or not you can bring your pet with you on an assignment will depend on the specific pet sitting assignment and the preferences of the pet owner. Some pets are unable to share an environment with another animal, whereas some pet owners prefer that their animal is the only pet receiving your time and attention. But don’t let that discourage you! Some pet owners are open to having the pet sitter bring their own pets, and some websites even have a filter to help you find which house sits will! If bringing your pet is something you are interested in doing, communicate this thoroughly with the pet owner. If you’re bringing your pet along, it’s important to try and schedule a time for the pets to meet outside of the home to ensure they are comfortable with one another.
What is the average length of a house sitting assignment?
The length of a house sitting assignment can vary depending on the homeowner's needs and travel plans. We’ve seen house sits range anywhere from one day to several months. When an owner posts a listing, you can see their travel dates. Additionally, most house sitting platforms include a filter that allows you to search for assignments that fit your desired length of stay.
What types of pets can I expect to care for during a house sit?
Dogs and cats are by far the most common pets to house sit for, but other pets such as birds, fish, farm animals, lizards, and more are in need of caring pet sitters too. Just keep in mind that you should only apply to care for animals that you are comfortable and qualified to care for.
Are there house sitting opportunities that don’t include pets?
Yes, although less abundant, there are house sitting opportunities that don't involve pets. While some homeowners may need someone to take care of their pets while they're away, others may simply need someone to look after their home and property. This could involve tasks such as checking the mail, watering plants, and maintaining the house and garden. Whether you’re allergic to animals, nervous to care for animals, or wanting to practice your gardening skills, there are definitely house sitting opportunities out there for you!
How do I communicate with the homeowner during the house sitting exchange?
Most house sitting websites will provide messaging features, but they can be a bit finicky. The best way to connect is to exchange phone numbers through apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or direct phone lines. This will allow for faster and more efficient communication in case of emergencies.
What happens if there is an emergency with the pets or the home while I am house sitting?
In the unfortunate event that an emergency occurs during a house sitting assignment, the best thing you can do is to be prepared by having a plan in place. Make sure you have the contact information of the homeowner, additional emergency contacts, vet contacts, and clear instructions for any potential issues. Stay calm, and communicate any problems with the owner immediately!
Certain house sitting websites may also provide additional resources and tools to assist in case of an emergency. Familiarize yourself with your website’s features beforehand so you can be prepared to use them if necessary.
Pet Owner Frequently Asked Questions
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Finding a free, and trustworthy house sitter can be simple with the help of specific websites like TrustedHousesitters, House Sitters of America, and other similar sites. Once your listing and dates are posted, sitters can send in applications to house sit for you. Next you will review your applicants, and interview your top candidates. Then it’s up to you to decide who is the best candidate for the role!
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It’s a good idea to book a sitter as far in advance as possible to ensure availability and to allow enough time for any necessary travel arrangements. That said, you can post your house sit listing as late as one day in advance. Even if you think it’s too late, you should post your listing! We ourselves have booked sits as late as one day out. It’s always worth a try.
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At a minimum, you should provide your house sitter with a clean and tidy living space, fresh sheets and towels, written instructions on how to care for your home and pets, and emergency contact and vet information. For an even more welcoming experience, consider offering spare toiletries, a welcome gift, snacks, or local recommendations for places to eat and things to do. While these extras are not necessary, adding small personal touches can make your house sitter feel appreciated and welcomed.
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A house sit exchange is a reliable and affordable option for pet owners seeking high-quality pet care. Apart from the significant savings on professional pet care or boarding services, the greatest advantage is that pets can stay in their familiar environment. By maintaining daily routines, this option helps to reduce the stress and anxiety of their owner being away. Another benefit of house sit exchanges is the potential to build meaningful relationships with house sitters, creating a sense of community and trust. Overall, a house sit exchange is a cost-effective and mutually beneficial solution for pet owners seeking trustworthy pet care services.
