Best Practices for Finding a Pet Sitter

Finding someone you are comfortable with to care for a family member is a tough task, particularly when that family member might be of the furry, four-legged variety and can’t talk. Pet sitting is a thriving and growing business precisely because so many of us consider our pets to be part of the family and want the best for them.

The Pet Sitting Market

The global pet sitting market is expected to reach $5.14 billion by 2030, according to a report from ResearchAndMarkets.com. While there was a slowdown due to the pandemic, with 85 percent of Pet Sitters International members reporting more than a 50 percent decline in business, that figure still represents an annual expansion of 11.52 percent from 2022 to 2030. Fueling this growth is an increasing willingness to spend more for pet care and the growth of dedicated online networks offering pet services such as boarding, sitting, and walking.

The increasing global availability of pet services can be a lifeline for military families. There are several organizations with missions to help military members with fostering, boarding, and other pet care services. These services include Dogs on Deployment, Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pets, and PACT for Animals. These organizations should always be the first point of outreach for military families, but online service providers can also come in handy when moving to a new city.

Finding a Pet Sitter

How can you find a pet sitter and what should you look for in the process?

Most importantly, do your research. Look up local pet sitters and peruse their sites, paying particular attention to their ratings/reviews. Go on community social media pages and ask for recommendations. Look on base or supermarket bulletin boards for advertisements and ask your veterinarian for suggestions. If your pet will be staying at a facility, be sure to visit first and check for cleanliness, number of other animals, and staff. Spend some time observing and getting a feel for whether your pet would be comfortable there.

Here are some basic questions to ask when interviewing a potential pet sitter:

• What is their background?

• Are they bonded, insured, and affiliated with a pet sitting organization?

• What will a typical day look like for them?

• How much time do they spend interacting with the pets?

• Why did they choose this as a career, and what do they love about pets?

• Do they use cameras so that pet parents can look in on their pets?

• If your pet has medical needs or behavioral issues, ask if they or someone on staff has experience handling the condition.

• Ask for clients you can speak with about their experiences.

• What are the costs for services? Pricing for services can vary greatly.

Be sure to introduce your pet to the pet sitter or staff at the service provider. Some red flags to note include the provider not interacting well with your pet, the provider not adequately answering questions, and the provider not welcoming visits. Also, go with your gut. If something doesn’t feel right for any reason, maybe the person or place is not right for your pet.

When you leave your pet in someone else’s care, provide a kit with all necessities such as medications, emergency contacts, favorite toys, food, and treats to make the experience pleasurable and routine for your pet.