Finding a Trustworthy Pet Sitter: The Complete Vetting Guide

Leaving your pet with a stranger is terrifying. You're handing over your house keys, your alarm codes, and—most importantly—your furry family member. How do you find someone you can actually trust?

Whether you're choosing between Rover, Wag, a professional service, or the neighbor's teenager, this guide will help you vet the sitter before they vet your pet.

Your Options: Pros and Cons

1. Apps (Rover, Wag, Care.com)

Pros:

• Large pool of sitters
• Reviews from other pet owners
• Built-in messaging and GPS tracking
• Some have insurance coverage

Cons:

• Sitter quality varies wildly
• Background checks are basic
• You pay the platform a fee (sitters pass this on)
• High turnover—experienced sitters often quit

Best for: Finding someone quickly, especially for dog walking or drop-in visits

2. Professional Pet Sitting Services

Pros:

• Employees are vetted and trained
• Bonded and insured
• Backup sitters if someone gets sick
• Usually more experienced

Cons:

• More expensive
• Less personal relationship
• May send different sitters each time

Best for: Extended absences, pets with medical needs, high-value peace of mind

3. Friends and Family

Pros:

• You trust them already
• Free or cheap
• Your pet may know them

Cons:

• May not follow your instructions
• Awkward if something goes wrong
• May not be reliable (it's a favor, not a job)

Best for: Short trips, low-maintenance pets, backup options

4. The Neighbor's Kid

Pros:

• Nearby, can respond quickly
• Affordable
• Gets to know your pet over time

Cons:

• Inexperienced
• May not handle emergencies well
• Limited availability (school, activities)

Best for: Simple pet care, visits rather than stays, with adult backup

The Interview: Questions You MUST Ask

Never hire a sitter without a meet-and-greet. Here are the essential questions:

Safety & Experience

1. "How many years of pet sitting experience do you have?"

   • Look for: At least 1-2 years, or relevant experience (grew up with pets, worked at a shelter)

2. "Are you pet CPR certified?"

   • Look for: Certification is a plus, but at minimum they should know basics (choking, signs of distress)

3. "What would you do if my pet got sick or injured?"

   • Look for: Clear answer—call you, call vet, have emergency fund access

4. "Are you bonded and insured?"

   • Look for: Professional sitters should have liability insurance. App sitters may be covered by the platform.

The Practical Stuff

5. "Will you follow my feeding/medication schedule exactly?"

   • Look for: Taking notes, asking follow-up questions, not dismissing your instructions

6. "How will you update me?"

   • Look for: Daily photos/videos, text updates, GPS tracking for walks

7. "What's your policy on visitors or bringing other dogs?"

   • Look for: Honest answer. Many sitters watch multiple dogs—is that okay with you?

The Red Flag Questions

8. "Can I see references from current clients?"

   • Red flag: Hesitation, excuses, no references available

9. "What do you do if a pet escapes?"

   • Red flag: Never happened to me!" (It happens to everyone—you want someone with a plan)

The Meet-and-Greet: What to Watch For

This is your audition. You're evaluating both the sitter AND how your pet responds.

Green Flags ✅

• Gets on the pet's level: Kneels down, lets the pet approach them
• Asks detailed questions: About routines, quirks, fears, favorite things
• Takes notes: Or asks to take photos of food labels, schedules, etc.
• Asks for your vet's contact info: Essential for emergencies
• Positive interaction: Your pet seems comfortable with them

Red Flags 🚩

• Distracted by phone: If they're on their phone during the interview, imagine during walks
• Tries to "dominate" or correct your pet immediately: This shows outdated training philosophy
• Doesn't ask questions: They should want to know your pet's personality
• Makes you feel rushed: A good sitter takes the meet-and-greet seriously
• Your pet seems uncomfortable: Trust your pet's instincts

The Trial Run

Before a long trip, do a trial:

1. Start with a short visit: Have them do a 30-minute drop-in while you're home
2. Then a long walk: Review GPS tracking if available
3. Then an overnight: Check in frequently
4. Evaluate: How did your pet respond? Did they follow instructions?

If the trial goes well, you'll feel much better about the real trip.

What to Provide Your Sitter

Set your sitter up for success with:

The Information Sheet

• Your contact info (multiple numbers)
• Emergency contact (local friend/family who can help)
• Vet's name, address, phone number
• Pet's medical conditions and medications
• Authorization for emergency vet care (and spending limit)

The Care Guide

• Feeding schedule (exact times, exact amounts)
• Water bowl location and refill frequency
• Medication schedule with specific instructions
• Walking schedule and route preferences
• Favorite toys, treat locations, calming techniques
• Off-limit areas of the house
• House rules (no table food, off furniture, etc.)

The Emergency Fund

• Leave a credit card on file with your vet
• Or leave $200-300 cash for emergencies
• Document this in writing

Technology to Track Your Pet

Modern pet sitting should include visibility:

GPS Tracking for Walks

• Rover and Wag: Built-in route tracking
• Fi Collar: Shows your dog's location in real-time
• Apple AirTag: Budget option for location

Cameras

• Pet cameras (Furbo, Petcube): Watch your pet at home
• Doorbell cameras (Ring, Nest): Confirm the sitter arrived

Photo/Video Updates

Request daily updates. A photo of your pet looking happy is worth its weight in gold for your peace of mind.

What to Pay

Pet sitting rates vary by region and service type:

Tip generously for a sitter you love. You want them to prioritize you for future bookings.

The Bottom Line

Finding a good pet sitter takes time upfront but saves enormous stress later. Invest in the vetting process:

1. Interview multiple candidates
2. Always do a meet-and-greet
3. Start with a trial run
4. Trust your gut—and your pet's reaction

When you find a great sitter, treat them well. A long-term relationship with someone who genuinely cares about your pet is invaluable.

Related: How Long Can You Leave Your Pet Alone? Related: Road Trip with a Cat