Questions to Ask Your New Dog Sitter

Finding a new house sitter can be stressful. This is why many small companies offer meet and greets! Some might charge a fee while others off these meet and greets for free. When looking for someone to watch your pets it is very important to meet them in person first- even if your pets are super friendly! This will ensure both clients and sitters feel comfortable and confident to make the experience as seamless and stress free as possible. Let’s go over some topics you should go over during your meet and greet!

YOUR PET

The most important part of the meet in greet is your potential sitter meeting your pets! You know your pets best, so it is important that you decide before the meet and greet how well they meet new people. If there are special instructions on this, feel free to message the sitter before they arrive. Once they meet your pet, let them know all about your furry friend. Mention their likes and dislikes, triggers, food, medicine, and anything else you think is important. This will set them up for success. Walk through what you would like done in emergency situations as well. Leave notes on their vet as well as emergency contacts in case you cannot be reached.

EXPERIENCE

While the house sitter may know exactly what to go over, it is important that you make sure everything on your list is answered. Right off the bat, ask them what their experience working with animals and house sitting is. Don’t worry about sounding nosy, it’s your right to know their experience level. Plus, if they really love animals, they will be happy to fill you in on other pets they have cared for! For those of us who do this part or even full time, we absolutely love and feel lucky about what we do. Small, local businesses are definitely the best way to go!

TIME

Ask your potential sitter how often they will be at your house. The general rule of thumb is to not leave your pets alone for more than 4-5 hours. Be aware that if you need them at the house more often than that, it may come with additional charges. Some small companies like Austin Dog Walking will have an app like Time to Pet where there are daily report cards sent and message boards available for communication. Professionals will make you feel comfortable and confident that your pets are taken care of while you are gone.

WALK THROUGH

Walk your pet sitter through your house and show them where they will be sleeping and staying. If you have security systems, explain them in detail. Cameras inside the home are typically turned off while the sitter is there but they can turn them on while they leave. Cameras outside the home should be pointed out as well for safety precautions. If there are certain rooms or spaces you want to be kept private- that’s totally understandable. Let them know your boundaries upfront. Typically the bare minimum should be access to common spaces so they can feel comfortable to live at your home while you are gone. It’s also important to go over how you would like your sitter to enter/exit the home. This could range anywhere from a key you give them, a key pad on your door, or using the garage code to get in. Personally, I think it is also a good idea to have a spare key either hidden or with a friend, just in case.

HOUSE SITTING

Your sitter is not just taking care of your pets, but your home as well! Typical house chores could be watering plants, taking out the trash bins, and bringing in the mail. Your house sitter should feel comfortable doing these things while you are away. If you need more than a few things taken care of or maybe more difficult tasks, consider adding a tip for their hard work. Let them know how best to take care of your home while you are away so you come home to a well taken care of house. If you have anyone else swinging by your house like a maid, pool cleaner, or yard worker, it is extremely important to let your house sitter know! Inform them of which day and what time they are coming so they don’t get frightened by an intruder. Think of your house sitter as a security guard of your home and pets, and let them in on the little details.

IS IT THE RIGHT FIT

As pet caretakers, we know that your pets are like family. Note how you feel during your meet and greet. Nerves can happen on both ends, but you should feel comfortable and confident that this is the right person for you and your pet’s needs. Don’t forget- this meet and greet is almost like an interview. If you don’t feel like it’s the right fit, that’s totally okay. It's better to find someone else for the job than to feel nervous while you are away.

PRICE

Don’t forget to ask what your pet sitter charges. If this is a professional company that has sent someone for the meet and greet, ask the company prior to the meeting as the sitter may not know. If it’s a separate contractor, it’s okay to outright ask them what they charge. The typical cost for overnight house sitting for one night that covers a 24-hour period is between $120-$150 per night. Additional costs might be added per additional animals or hours needed at the house. Tips are appreciated but never expected. These are also typically added after the service is complete.

I hope these tips will help you feel more confident in choosing a house sitter. If you like the caretaker that’s come by your house, let them know! Message them afterwards that it was great to meet them and include when you are leaving and arriving at your home for your trip so they can plan ahead. The more information you can give them will set them up for success!