How to Find a Reliable Pet Sitter
Plus, pet sitter safety tips and best practices for security cameras
Plus, pet sitter safety tips and best practices for security cameras
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Where to look for a pet sitter you can trust |
Family members and friends are often the most affordable providers of pet care but they’re not always available or (let’s face it), the most reliable. If like many people, you find yourself looking for a professional pet sitter in your area here are some ideas to try.
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Signs you’ve found a reliable pet sitter |
Not sure if you’ve found “the one?” That pet sitter you’ll entrust with your fur child for every family vacation, late work night, and last-minute emergency when you have to rush out the door? Here are some green flags to watch for: ✅ They’re willing to meet with you beforehand and go over care instructions in detail. No flaking out or asking to do things over a video call. ✅ They have great reviews (or came with glowing references) from real people in your community. ✅They have experience and expertise with your pet and their needs (whether that’s administering medication or dealing with a case of cat grumpies). ✅ They ask great (not of the ‘Captain Obvious’ flavor) questions, write/note things down, and seem genuinely excited and capable of interacting with your pet. ✅ They carry insurance (or are insured by their company) and have been cleared by a background check before being hired or listing their services on an app. |
Best practices for providing pet sitters with access to your home |
Now that you’ve booked a reliable pet sitter, time to talk about how to securely grant them access to your home when you’re away. Create an access codeIf you have a smart lock, creating a special access code just for your sitter is the safest way to let them into your home. You can delete or change the combination any time, including remotely. It’s also fast and simple for the pet sitter themselves — they won’t have to waste time on locating the keys. Get a lockboxIf an access code is not an option, your best option is likely a lockbox. Ask the pet sitter to simply replace the key in the lockbox when they’re done with their visit and make sure it’s an accessible, but not too visible spot on your property. Leave a key with leasing or apartment managementIf you live in an apartment or condo complex with an onsite leasing office or a property manager, it’s a great idea to leave your key at the front desk. This will create an extra step for your pet sitter, but it is generally a very secure way to grant someone access to your home. Whatever option you choose or makes the most sense to you, don’t leave a spare key under a mat or a flower pot. If a pet sitter visits your home often, it’s easy for a bad actor to spot how they get in the house. |
Best pet sitter cameras: Keeping your pets safe when away |
Whether you have a pet sitter or not, seeing what pets are up to during the day can bring peace of mind (and a smile or two). Here are some of our favorite tools for pet parents, whether they want to check on a pet sitter or simply admire their pets during the day. Arlo Video DoorbellGreet your pet sitter when they arrive and get a quick update before they leave thanks to 2-Way Audio. As a bonus, the doorbell comes with Night Vision and an Integrated Siren if you need to scare off an intruder while no one is home. Arlo Pro 6Keep an eye on back yard frolics or walks, with the Arlo Pro 6. Battery-powered and wire-free, the Pro series is easy to install and offers crystal-clear 2K resolution. And no guessing if the person in your yard at 7 p.m. is your sitter or a stranger, thanks to daylight-like Color Night Vision. Arlo Essential Indoor (3rd gen) CameraThe Arlo Essential Indoor is our best-selling plug-in camera. With a 130° Wide Field of View and infrared (black and white) Night Vision you’ll be able to keep an eye on your pet, and perhaps even save your couch from yet another scratch, with 2-Way Audio. The Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor CameraGot a long hallway or an open floor plan? The Essential Pan Tilt Indoor Camera might be the camera for you. It moves along with your pet, giving you a view of what they’re up to while you’re missing them on vacation. The Pan Tilt also comes with black and white Night Vision and 2-Way Audio for easy communication. |
It’s a good idea to be transparent about any cameras with a pet sitter. Some pet sitting companies and online platforms may require it as a part of your service contract. Consent laws vary from state to state in the US, so it may also be a legal requirement where you live. This is especially true of any indoor cameras you install, since expectations of privacy are legally different in private spaces. Never install cameras in sensitive areas like bathrooms or bedrooms.
Laws on recording audio tend to be a bit stricter than video recording. You should tell your sitter that you’re recording audio.
You should still be able to use your home security system, but be sure to leave a code to disarm/arm it, along with any troubleshooting instructions for your pet sitter.
