What to ask before you leave your pet with someone
What to ask a pet sitter before you book: the meet and greet, insurance, a backup plan, vet consent and what goes in writing, from Pet Sitters International's checklist.
You've found someone who can look after your pet while you're away. Maybe a friend recommended them, maybe they turned up on an app or in a local Facebook group. Before you hand over the keys, you want to know they're the right person. Pet Sitters International, the trade association for professional pet sitters, says a professional will schedule an initial meeting with you before accepting an assignment. That meeting is where these questions belong.
The short version: meet them first, with your pet there. Ask about their experience with your kind of animal, their insurance, their backup plan if they get sick, how they'll keep in touch, and what's in writing. Then read their reviews. A good sitter expects every one of these questions.
Start with a meet and greet
A meet and greet, sometimes called a consultation or introductory visit, is a short visit before any booking. The sitter meets your pet, writes down how you do things, and you both decide whether it's a fit. PSI notes that some sitters do this for free and others charge a small fee.
Don't skip it, even when the reviews look great. PetConnect's founder, a pet sitter herself, says pet parents often meet several sitters before choosing one, and the reason they give for passing on someone is usually that "the vibes are off." That's a fair test. Watch how they greet your pet, whether they ask questions of their own, and whether your pet settles with them.
One pet parent put what they're looking for simply: someone who "truly cares about their animals and isn't just doing it for the money," and who is "reliable and communicative." The questions below are how you find out.
Questions about the person
- How many animals like mine have you looked after? A great dog walker may never have handled a cockatiel, a snake or a horse. Ask about your species, and about pets with the same needs as yours: medication, age, anxiety, a special diet.
- What training do you have? PSI suggests asking about training in pet behavior, first aid and care. Ask what they'd do if your pet stopped eating, got out, or got hurt.
- Do you have insurance? PSI recommends general liability insurance made for pet sitters and dog walkers, covering both your pets and your property, plus bonding or theft coverage where it fits.
- Can you show a current background check? PSI says solo sitters should be able to show one when asked. Teams may not be able to share copies of their staff's checks, because of privacy laws, but they should screen anyone who comes into your home.
- If they'll board your pet at their place: do you have any license or permit you need? Rules vary by city and state, and PSI notes that boarding at home can need one.
Questions about how they'll care for your pet
- Can we go through the routine together? Food and amounts, walks, medicine, where things are, and what your pet does when it's stressed. Leave it in writing too.
- How will you keep me updated? A message, a photo, a call: agree what and how often before you leave.
- What happens if my pet needs a vet? Give them your vet's details and written consent to treat, and agree how much they can spend before calling you.
- What's your backup plan if you get sick? PSI says sitters should have a plan for their own illness or injury, as well as your pet's, and someone who can step in.
- How do you keep my keys and alarm code safe? PSI expects sitters to store them securely, along with your details.
Questions about what's in writing
- Do you use a written agreement? PSI recommends a contract that sets out the services, the schedule and the price, and both sides' expectations.
- What's your cancellation policy, on both sides? What happens if you cancel late, and what happens if they do.
- How and when do I pay, and what's included? A drop-in visit, an overnight stay and boarding are priced differently, and some apps add a booking fee on top. What pet sitting and boarding really cost covers what's normal, and what pet sitting apps charge pet parents covers the fees.
If your pet stays somewhere else
Boarding puts your pet with other animals, so ask which vaccines they require and how animals are kept apart. The AVMA recommends Bordetella and canine influenza vaccines for dogs that go to boarding, daycare and training, and says reputable services require up-to-date vaccinations. If you're still deciding between boarding and care at home, this guide to boarding, sitting, drop-ins and walks compares them.
Reviews, not references
You may expect to call a sitter's past clients. PSI says that's no longer common, because of privacy laws, and that a sitter should instead point you to reviews on their website or on public platforms such as Google and Facebook. Read the reviews for the details: animals like yours, how the sitter handled a problem, and whether people booked them again.
What PetConnect does
PetConnect is a pet care app for every kind of pet. Pet parents write care notes when they request care, and care providers read them before they accept, so nobody finds out about a special need after saying yes. Pet parents can review a provider after a completed booking, and providers can bring in the reviews they've already earned on other sites. Care providers choose the animals they look after, so you can see who has cared for animals like yours. Pet parents pay no booking fee.