I brought Zoe home when she was 8 weeks old. We have been incredibly fortunate that for more than 10 of those years she was able to stay with my parents and her brother whenever I traveled. And given that for many years I traveled weekly with work for fall and spring sports seasons it was incredibly helpful. It is no secret to anyone who has met Zoe that she is a one-person animal; believe me Emily can confirm after 14 years we have just reached the sitting on the same couch phase. So when we packed up and moved to California, I wasn’t sure what we were going to do. I didn’t want to give up my love of travel, and it would be stressful to take her on a plane every time I went home to visit. My research into finding a trustworthy pet sitter began.
There’s a special kind of anxiety that comes with leaving your pets behind while you travel. Even if you are leaving them with someone you trust implicitly, handing over your fur family’s care to someone else is a big deal. Finding the right person or people is a process and after going through that process (and learning a few things the hard way), here’s some tips that may help you if you are looking to hire a pet sitter for your next vacation.
Boarding facilities work for some pets, but for many animals, staying in their own home is far less stressful. They keep their routine, their smells, their favorite sunny spot on the couch. A good pet sitter also gives your home a lived-in look while you’re away. You can choose to hire someone to stay in your home and care for your pet or do drop ins to care for and spend time with them. Prices will vary so be sure to understand your budget prior to booking.
Start your search earlier than you think you need to. I have chosen to use Rover.com to find sitters in both California and now the PNW. There are alternatives, but this site gives you multiple options that are background checked and a Rover Guarantee that covers vet bills in the event of an issue. I can tell you that good pet sitters book up weeks or even months in advance, especially around holidays and summer travel season. It is a good idea to have a couple options in case one is booked or decides to go on their own vacation.
A meet-and-greet is non-negotiable. After moving to the PNW, I scheduled a meet and greet with a pet sitter. Our conversations were fine over text, but once they got here, they acted like they couldn’t wait to leave. They asked minimal questions and were out the door in less than 15 minutes. I had walked down with them and watched them run out of the lobby. I can extend a lot of grace, but I had a bad feeling. Do not compromise. If you have a bad feeling, then trust your gut. Your pets safety is a top priority, and this person will be in your home. Also watch how your pet responds, animals are amazing judges of character.
Write everything down. You would be amazed at what you forget to mention when you’re rushing out the door. Feeding amounts, medication schedules, the fact that the cat will absolutely try to dart out the back door. I now keep a detailed “pet manual” that I update before every trip.
Do a trial run first. Before committing to a long trip, hire your sitter for a weekend. It’s much easier to work out the kinks when you’re only a few hours away.
Over-communicate about the weird stuff. Every pet has quirks. The first time our sitter in California watched her, Zoe sat perched on the back of the couch to watch her food being prepared and wouldn’t eat. The sitter got very nervous because Zoe just stared, I told her this was normal, and yes she will continue to stare into your soul.
Professional vs. neighbor kid. A friend or neighbor may be cheaper, but professionals bring experience, insurance, and accountability. For long trips or pets with medical needs, the professional is usually worth it.
In-home visits vs. overnight stays. Cats often do fine with once- or twice-daily visits. Dogs, especially social or anxious ones, may need someone staying overnight. Be honest about what your pet needs, not just what’s cheapest.
Your home security comfort level. This person will have a key and access to your home. Vetting matters. Consider a lockbox with a code you can change and let a trusted neighbor know someone will be coming and going. If you live in an apartment, it is important to know what your management company requires. Some companies require pet sitters to check out a key on the first visit and return it when the job is complete.
The paperwork. A professional sitter should offer a service agreement covering dates, services, fees, and emergency authorization. Also leave written permission for veterinary care and a spending limit (or a note that says “call prior to emergency services” if that is your preference).
Emergency contacts. Leave your vet’s info, a local emergency contact who can make decisions if you’re unreachable, and your itinerary. If you’re traveling internationally, make sure the sitter knows the best way to reach you.
Trust your gut. If something feels off during the interview or meet-and-greet, keep looking. The peace of mind that comes from genuinely trusting your sitter is worth the extra search time.
Hiring a pet sitter is about buying yourself peace of mind. The right person lets you actually enjoy your trip instead of refreshing your phone waiting for updates. And I will admit, despite having had absolutely wonderful sitters who update thoroughly, I still have pet cameras throughout my house that send notifications every time Zoe is on the move. The best advice I can give is to start your search early, ask more than enough questions so that you feel comfortable, do the trial run, and write down everything. And if you are fortunate enough you will find a pet sitter that is sweet and cares about you and your pets enough to send you messages like these.
** Written by Kira **
