What Are the Red Flags to Look For In a Pet Sitter?
Leaving your pets at home with a stranger can be as nerve-wracking for you as it is for them — maybe even more so. You want to find the best care possible for them, but hiring for your pets is different than hiring for workg. How can you tell who will be the best fit for you and your pets?
Luckily, this is an area in which we have plenty of experience at G&G Pets. We’ll break down the top 5 red flags you should watch out for when vetting a new pet sitter.
Common Red Flags in Pet Sitters
Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you have a bad pet sitter or if everyone is just getting to know each other. You should always trust your gut, but here are some key red flags to keep an eye out for too:
Poor communication
Prompt responses with clear communication skills are one of the first things to look for in a prospective pet sitter. You should be able to count on them to return your questions or checkins within a day or two if they’re not with your pet or an hour if they’re actively taking care of them. Communicating with a professional pet sitter should never leave you feeling confused or concerned.
At G&G, our sitters send you daily updates on how your pet is doing and pictures of them enjoying their day. If your new pet sitter doesn’t have standard communication systems set up or doesn’t respond to messages, that could be a red flag.
Note: It is important to get clear on your communication expectations and discuss them with potential sitters before you hire someone. Everyone has different communication needs, and if you know you lean more nervous/anxious, it’s important to be upfront with your sitter, especially if they are a professional.
No qualifications, certifications, or reviews
While everyone has to start somewhere, you should never overlook a lack of experience in a new pet sitter. Ask if they have any certifications in training systems or pet first aid. If they do, they should be happy to provide proof of their certifications.
While asking for references is common practice when hiring in other areas, remember that many sitters, especially professional ones, are in the business of trust and privacy. Therefore, they can’t provide contact information for existing clients.
You can, however, ask for reviews and look for public reviews left about them on Google or Reddit. Taking public reviews into consideration along with your own interview can be a good way to get to know the level of service a particular sitter can provide.
No meet-and-greet
You should never feel pressured to leave your pets with a sitter you’ve never met before. A sitter who expects to meet you for the first time as you’re heading out the door for your vacation is a major red flag. This also goes the other way — clients who expect to skip meet-and-greets are reg flags for sitters as well.
Essential introductions like this can’t be skipped, even in a quick turnaround booking. This is when the sitter gets to know you and your pets, as well as everything they’ll need to know to take care of them properly. It’s also when you get to watch them interact with the pets and make sure everyone gets along.
Mess in the home
Once you’ve tried out a new pet sitter, you should still keep an eye out for red flags once you get home. Take a careful look around to ensure that nothing has been broken or is out of place. A pet sitter should never leave a mess or dirty dishes in your home. The standard should be “leave it better than you found it”.
A litter box that hasn’t been cleaned in days or dog waste in the home are sure signs of neglect. If your dog hasn’t been out at least every 6 hours (or the schedule that you provide) and has had accidents in the home, other aspects of care were likely being overlooked as well.
New injuries or behaviors
This last red flag is a hard one to think about, but unfortunately, there have been cases of pet sitters neglecting the pets in their charge. Make sure to always carefully examine your pets when you get home to check for new bruises, cuts, or patches of missing hair. If you do find anything, document it immediately.
It’s also important to watch their behavior when you return home. It’s not uncommon for pets to be anxious while their owner is away, even with trusted family members or sitters. However, if they seem fearful or react to things in a way they never have before, you may have cause for concern.
How to Vet a New Pet Sitter
It’s a good idea to start looking for a new pet sitter long before you need one; that way, you won’t feel pressured to settle for less than the best. Schedule a meet-and-greet with a potential sitter, and have something ready that you can take notes with. Let them get to know your pets while you interview them on their experience and approach.
You could start with questions like these:
How long have you been pet sitting?
Do you have any pet-sitting certifications or other special training?
Are you bonded and insured?
How will you stay in contact with us during the trip?
What does your emergency plan look like?
Do you have experience with my pet’s special needs?
Do you have any reviews or recommendations from past clients?
A green flag to look for is a pet sitter who has lots of questions for you as well. At G&G Pets, we create an extensive file on how your pets should be cared for during our meet-and-greet and onboarding process. We learn everything that your pet likes, dislikes, and needs, as well as how to calm their anxieties.
How to Find a Professional In-Home Pet Sitter
When looking through your local options for pet sitters, use what we’ve talked about to help you weed out neglectful or less-than-professional sitters. Research any sitters or agencies you’re interested in to see if they have high ratings or positive reviews posted publicly. You can also check trusted sources like the Fear Free Directory to find sitters in your area who are registered with their program.
If you’re in the San Francisco, CA, area, we hope you’ll consider G&G Pets the next time you need a sitter. Our agency works with the most experienced pet sitters in the area and can book out as far as a year in advance. You can learn more about our services here or start your meet-and-greet process here.
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