What the Service or Professional Does

Pet sitters provide care for dogs while owners are away. Services range from drop-in visits (feeding, toilet breaks, short walks, medication) to overnight care, in-home sitting where the sitter stays in the owner's home, and sitter-hosted care where the dog stays in the sitter's home. A pet sitter is a regular caregiver; their judgement, handling, and reliability directly affect your dog's welfare and your home's security.

When Owners Commonly Use the Service

Owners use pet sitters for workdays, travel, illness, or when kennels and daycare are not a good fit. Sitters suit puppies too young for daycare, senior dogs, dogs with medical or behavioural needs, multi-pet homes, and dogs who stress in group settings. The right sitter depends on your dog's needs and the length of care required.

Scope of Practice

Pet sitters provide routine care — feeding, walks, enrichment, companionship, and basic medication administration within agreed limits. They do not diagnose, treat illness, or provide veterinary care, and they are not a substitute for training or behaviour work. Sitters should follow owner instructions and escalate to a veterinarian for health concerns. Confirm in advance what care is and is not included, including medication limits and emergency authority.

Credentials, Education and Legal Requirements

Pet sitting is largely unregulated; credentials and licensing vary by location and are not universally required. Pet first-aid training, insurance, and bonding are common but not mandatory everywhere. A credential shows training but does not automatically guarantee reliability or handling skill. Confirm current insurance, bonding, first-aid training, and any business licensing directly. Requirements vary by location. Informal care from a friend and professional pet sitting involve different expectations and protections — a professional sitter carries insurance, has backup coverage, and follows documented procedures.

Questions to Ask

• Who will actually provide the care, and is backup coverage available if they are unavailable?
• How are keys, access codes, and alarm information protected and stored?
• What happens during a medical or household emergency, and which veterinarian is contacted?
• What experience exists with my dog's specific needs — medical, behavioural, puppy, or senior?
• Are other animals present in a sitter-hosted arrangement, and how are they matched?
• How are missed visits, delays, or schedule changes handled and communicated?
• What records, updates, photos, or visit logs are provided, and how often?
• Is pet-sitting insurance and bonding in place, and what does it cover?

What to Observe

• How the sitter greets, handles, and responds to your dog at a meet-and-greet
• Whether the sitter asks detailed questions about diet, medication, behaviour, and routines
• Whether instructions are taken in writing and confirmed
• How keys and access are collected and stored
• Update quality — clear, timely visit logs or photos
• Whether backup coverage and emergency contacts are documented
• How your dog's behaviour and recovery look after the sitter's care

Handling, Welfare and Safety

Consider how the sitter handles fearful, reactive, or medical-needs dogs, whether enrichment and exercise match your dog, and how household security is maintained. For in-home sitting, discuss alarm use, guest rules, and home access. For sitter-hosted care, assess the home environment, other animals, containment, and escape risk. Cameras in the owner's home are a personal choice; if used, disclose them and clarify expectations. Welfare includes rest, hydration, and stress management, not just physical care.

Communication and Records

Good sitters provide visit records — times, feeding, medication given, eliminations, behaviour, and any concerns — and communicate promptly about changes or incidents. They ask for your dog's full routine, medical needs, behaviour notes, and emergency contacts in writing. Clear communication about cancellations, delays, and backup coverage is part of reliable service. Incident reporting should be prompt and honest.

Emergency Procedures

Pricing, Insurance and Policies

Pet-sitting pricing depends on visit type, length, frequency, overnight stays, and the number of pets. Ask about package rates, holiday surcharges, cancellation and lockout policies, and what triggers extra charges (extra visits, medication, multiple pets). Confirm insurance and bonding, and what they cover. Price alone does not indicate reliability; the cheapest option may not provide backup coverage, insurance, or documentation.

Green Flags

• A meet-and-greet and written care instructions before the first visit
• Clear backup-coverage and emergency plans
• Pet-sitting insurance and bonding in place
• Visit records, photos, or logs provided regularly
• Detailed questions about diet, medication, behaviour, and routine
• Secure key and access-code handling
• Prompt, honest incident reporting

Red Flags

• No meet-and-greet or written instructions
• No backup coverage or emergency plan
• No insurance, bonding, or first-aid training
• Vague answers about who provides the care
• No visit records or updates
• Loose handling of keys and access codes
• Pressure to commit or pay large upfront packages

Trial Appointments or Introductory Visits

A meet-and-greet and a first short visit or overnight trial is reasonable and recommended, especially for a new sitter or a dog new to sitting. Use it to observe how the sitter interacts with your dog and how your dog responds. A good sitter welcomes this and uses it to confirm fit and gather instructions.

Preparing Your Dog

Provide written instructions covering feeding, medication, behaviour, routines, emergency contacts, and veterinary information. Introduce the sitter before the first full booking, and for nervous dogs, start with short visits. Share your dog's cues, limits, and medical needs clearly, and ensure vaccinations and health records are current.

When the Service May Not Be the Right Fit

A sitter may not be the right fit if your dog needs medical oversight beyond routine care, if handling concerns you, if backup coverage is unavailable, or if communication is unreliable. Some dogs do better with boarding, daycare, or a sitter specialized in their needs. Informal care from a friend involves different expectations and protections than professional pet sitting.

Academy Takeaway

Choose a pet sitter who meets your dog first, takes written instructions, has backup coverage and emergency plans, carries insurance and bonding, and provides visit records. Informal care from a friend and professional pet sitting involve different expectations and protections. Confirm insurance, first-aid training, and secure key handling. Price alone is not a basis for choice, and a credential does not automatically guarantee reliability.

Educational Limitation

The Academy provides educational selection guidance and does not verify, endorse, or certify providers. Pet-sitting credentials, licensing, and insurance requirements vary by location; confirm current insurance, bonding, licensing, and policies directly. This guide does not authorize medication administration or assess an individual sitter's competence. Public directory functionality is not yet live unless separately completed and verified.