When you hire a dog walker or pet sitter, you’re trusting someone with two precious things at once: your pet and your home. They’ll have your keys, know your routines, and be responsible for an animal who can’t tell you how the day went. That’s a lot of trust, so it’s worth being thorough.
Here is how to find a walker or sitter you can rely on, from the first conversation to a smooth routine.
What do you need?
Pet care comes in several forms.
- Dog walking: a walk (or several) during the day, in groups or solo
- Drop-in visits: short visits to feed, play, let out, give medication, or scoop litter
- In-home pet sitting: a sitter stays at your home while you’re away
- Sitter’s home boarding: your pet stays at the sitter’s home
- Daycare or kennel boarding: a facility-based option
- Special care: senior pets, medication, mobility issues, or anxious animals
Consider your pet’s temperament. A social dog may love group walks, while a reactive or older dog may do better with solo outings. Cats and small animals often do well with in-home visits rather than boarding.
Step 1: Ask people with pets
Recommendations carry extra weight here.
- Friends, family, and neighbors with pets
- Your veterinarian, groomer, or trainer
- Friends of friends who travel often or work long hours
- Neighborhood groups where people share pet-care experiences
Follow-up questions: How long have they worked with this person? Are they punctual and reliable? How do they communicate? Do they send updates or photos? Has there ever been a problem, and how was it handled? Would they trust them with a house key and a pet again?
Step 2: Check business basics
Pet sitting and dog walking aren’t regulated the same way everywhere, so the details are on you.
- Business license: In some places, pet sitters need a local business license. Ask.
- Insurance: Ask about pet care liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers’ compensation.
- Bonding: Some pet sitters are bonded, which can help protect you against theft. It’s not a requirement but is a good question.
- Training: Ask about pet first aid and CPR training, and relevant experience.
- Professional associations: Some sitters belong to organizations like Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Membership isn’t required but can indicate a commitment to standards.
- Background checks: Some individuals and companies conduct them. It’s reasonable to ask.
- Employees or independent: Ask who will actually be caring for your pet.
Step 3: Arrange a meet-and-greet
Never skip this step. A good pet care pro will want to meet you and your pet before the first job.
During the meet-and-greet:
- Watch how they interact with your pet. Does your pet seem comfortable? Does the sitter read their body language?
- Walk through your home and routines, including food, medications, leash and harness, walking route, litter box, and where to find supplies
- Discuss emergency plans: your vet’s contact, a backup contact, and how decisions about care will be made
- Share quirks: fear of thunderstorms, leash pulling, door-darting, or dislike of certain dogs
- Ask questions and see how they respond
Trust your gut. If your pet or you feel uneasy, keep looking.
Step 4: Ask the right questions
- How long have you been caring for pets, and what experience do you have with my pet’s breed, age, or needs?
- What does a typical visit or walk look like?
- How long will you stay for each visit?
- How will you update me, and how often?
- What’s your plan if my pet escapes, gets sick, or is injured?
- Do you walk dogs in groups, and how do you decide which dogs go together?
- How do you handle my house key and alarm code?
- What are your rates, including holidays, last-minute bookings, or multiple pets?
- What’s your cancellation policy?
- Do you have a backup if you’re sick or unavailable?
- Can you provide references?
Set expectations in writing
A short service agreement can prevent misunderstandings. It might include:
- Services and schedule
- Rates and payment terms
- Cancellation and holiday policies
- Emergency contacts and veterinary authorization
- Instructions for feeding, medication, walking, and house rules
- How keys and access will be handled
- Updates you expect
Prepare for the first booking
- Provide clear written instructions and contact information
- Label supplies and keep them easy to find
- Make sure leashes, collars, and ID tags are secure and up to date
- Confirm vaccinations, especially for group activities or boarding
- Test the process with a short trial period if possible
- Have your vet’s information and a backup contact handy
Safety tips
- Make sure your dog’s microchip and ID tag information is current
- Use a secure harness or collar that fits properly
- Talk about weather precautions, such as hot pavement or cold days
- Make sure your sitter knows where your first aid supplies are
- Consider a camera or smart lock if you want extra peace of mind, and be transparent with your sitter about any cameras
Signs of a great sitter or walker
- Punctual and communicative
- Genuinely loves animals and responds to their needs
- Respects your home
- Follows your instructions and asks questions
- Sends updates and flags concerns
- Honest about mistakes
- Your pet seems happy to see them
Red flags
- Reluctance to meet in person
- Vague or evasive answers about experience, insurance, or emergency plans
- Unreliable communication or timing
- Large groups of dogs with little supervision
- Pet seems stressed or comes home with unexplained injuries
- Pressure to book without a meet-and-greet
- Poor boundaries with your home or belongings
How MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® can help
For pet care, a recommendation from a neighbor or friend can mean everything. MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® is a social & professional networking app where you connect with service pros through the people in your own network, with visibility up to second-degree connections. You can browse a feed, like and comment, and message pros. Pros build visibility through real client relationships.
FAQ
How much does a dog walker or pet sitter cost?
It varies by location, service type, and pet needs. Ask for a rate sheet that includes any extra fees.
Do pet sitters need to be licensed?
It depends on where you live. Some areas require business licenses; many don’t have specific pet sitter licenses. Ask about insurance and experience.
Should I choose in-home pet sitting or boarding?
It depends on your pet. Many cats and anxious pets do better at home, while social dogs may enjoy a sitter’s home or daycare. Consider your pet’s temperament.
What should I leave for my sitter?
Food, medications, emergency contacts, vet information, instructions, and any special notes about your pet’s habits.
How far in advance should I book?
Book early for holidays and busy seasons. Many sitters fill up quickly.
Find a sitter your network already trusts
Download MY PRO: TRUSTED PROS® on the App Store and Google Play, and see the pros your network already trusts. Learn more at my-pro.io or email hello@my-pro.io.