Unless faced with extraordinary circumstances, neither you nor your sitter can cancel a confirmed sit. This is just another reason to ensure you carefully consider a sitter before you officially confirm them for a sit.
How to consider a sitter:
- Read their profile carefully and keep an eye out for any references or reviews left by other pet parents.
- Check their profile to see what forms of verifications they have achieved. If a sitter has not completed any verification, don’t be shy to ask them to do so — they’re free to earn and will aid them in their future applications.
- Speak to the potential sitter on the phone and then, if possible, meet them in person or video call them via services like Skype or FaceTime. As well as helping you both get to know one another, it also means you can take them on a tour of your home and introduce them to your pet.
During these introductory conversations, it’s important to share all the information a sitter will need to know when deciding whether they are the right person to care for your pet. Perhaps a sitter wants to know:
- What is your pet’s personality like?
- Does your pet have any special care needs?
- Is your pet happy to be left alone for a few hours or are they used to constant companionship?
- What is the local area like?
- Are there public transport links or will the sitter need a car?
- What are your local attractions and how far are amenities from your home?
Finally, never feel rushed to confirm a sitter right away. Both members must feel comfortable and confident, so take you your time.
You can find lots more advice and discussion on all things house sitting, pets, travel, and more on our community forum. Check it out today.