What are the red flags when choosing a pet sitter?
By Ellen Raven · Published
The biggest pet sitter red flags are refusing a meet and greet, having no insurance, being vague about how many other animals will be there or who is actually doing the care, not asking about your dog's health and vaccinations, and going quiet once you have paid.
Red flags before you book
A sitter who will not let you visit their home or meet them in person before the stay is the first warning sign. So is one who does not ask questions: a good sitter wants to know your dog's routine, medications, vaccination status, how they are with other dogs and what they are afraid of. If the sitter cannot tell you exactly how many dogs they take at once, or who covers when they are out, assume the answer is not one you would like.
Be wary of no written terms, no insurance, cash-only with no record, and prices well below everyone else's. Cheap usually means too many dogs in one place.
Red flags during the stay
Silence. You should not have to chase for a photo or a quick note that your dog ate dinner. Photos that are clearly reused, or that never show your dog in the home you visited, are worth a question. A sitter who cannot say what your dog did today, or who dodges a call, is a sitter you do not use again.
After the stay, watch for a dog that comes home unusually thirsty, hungry or exhausted, or with a stomach upset from a food switch you did not agree to.
What a good sitter looks like
A good sitter insists on a meet and greet, asks for vaccination records, carries pet-care liability insurance, puts the dates and price in writing, keeps guest numbers small, and sends updates without being asked. They tell you honestly if your dog is not a good fit for their home, and they know where the nearest emergency vet is.
That is the standard Lake Country Pets works to. Ellen boards a small number of dogs at a time in her Oro-Medonte home, starts every booking with a free Meet & Greet, and sends photos through every stay. If you are comparing sitters in Barrie, Orillia or Innisfil, bring this list with you.
Ready when you are
Every stay starts with a free Meet & Greet, and payment and cancellation rules are in the terms of service. Related pages: