Sponsored by Trusted Housesitters
Are you a travel enthusiast grappling with the dilemma of exploring the world while leaving your beloved pets behind? As fellow animal lovers and relatively new pet owners, we understand this challenge all too well.
Many travelers have heard of or experienced house sitting from the traveler’s perspective: you take care of someone’s home and pets while living in their house for free!
However, our experience with house sitting comes from the standpoint of pet owners. It has become my favorite travel resource and strategy since discovering the concept of working abroad (working holiday).
Our membership with Trusted House Sitters, which facilitates this strategy, gives me peace of mind that my beloved cats are well cared for while I can fulfill my desire for travel and create wonderful memories with my family. Remarkably, aside from the initial membership fee, it doesn’t cost me anything else!
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of pet sitting, share our experience with Trusted House Sitters, and show you how to ensure your pets are taken care of while you explore the world with peace of mind.
This article is created in partnership with Trusted Housesitters, and we’ve been personal members of the site for over a year before collaborating with them! We’ve even arranged for an exclusive discount code mentioned below!
What is TrustedHouseSitters?
Trusted House Sitters is a membership platform that connects pet owners with trustworthy individuals willing to care for their homes and pets while they are away.
Founded in Brighton, UK in 2010, the TrustedHousesitters community now boasts over 210,000 members, spanning more than 140 countries worldwide. They have facilitated over 10 million nights of pet sitting!
They also have more 5-star reviews than any other house sitting website, and this solid reputation is precisely why we chose Trusted Housesitters over other services.
Our Experience with Trusted House Sitters as Pet Owners
For years, we postponed getting pets because our nomadic family travel lifestyle couldn’t accommodate it. Without a stable home and constantly on the move, we felt incapable of caring for a pet while balancing full-time travel, running a business, and homeschooling.
When we finally settled in Raleigh during the pandemic, I resisted the kids’ pleas for pets, fearing we still couldn’t handle it given our travel focus and frequent trips.
Finally, at the end of 2022, I relented. We decided the time was right to adopt the type of pets we all desired – cats. First and foremost, we are cat people. Furthermore, given their wonderfully independent nature, we believed cats would best cope with our busy travel life.
Thanks to many friends who traveled the world utilizing house sitting, we knew this was a convenient and very affordable option for pet care while traveling.
When planning our one-month trip to Europe last year, I became a member of Trusted House Sitters, and within weeks, I arranged for a pet sitter to stay in our home for a month to care for our precious Ivy and Mavis.
It was a fantastic experience. Our sitter was highly experienced in cat care, house sitting, and maintaining our home. Upon our return, we found our home impeccably clean and our kittens happy.
Earlier this year, we were heartbroken when our darling Ivy passed away. However, we recently adopted another kitten named Peach so Mavis would have a companion (and we wanted her too!). Our house sitting endeavors continue with Mavis and Peach.
I have just booked another house sitter for our upcoming trip to Wyoming. Since it’s only 6 days and we live in a non-tourist area, I initially thought about asking neighbors or hiring a local pet caregiver on Rover, assuming no one would want a short house sit.
Then Craig suggested, “Why don’t we use Trusted House Sitters again? It’s free, and you never know who might be looking for a short-term stay. This way, the cats’ routines remain uninterrupted, they can be cared for around the clock, and they will feel more comfortable. They love the screened-in porch, so if someone is here, they can leave the door open for access throughout the day.”
Less than 30 minutes after listing the job, we received an application from a perfect sitter. She was confirmed by the end of the day following a brief phone interview. We’re excited as this not only saves us money but also provides immense peace of mind knowing a trusted cat lover will provide full-time care, instead of just stopping by for a quick meal each day.
We’re thrilled and relieved at the same time!
Benefits of House Sitting for Pet Owners
I completely understand how anxious you may feel leaving your precious pet in the care of a stranger in your own home.
Now imagine how distressed your pet feels, being uprooted from their safe, familiar environment and placed in a shelter with a stranger, or having someone pop in just once a day to feed them, clean their litter, or take them for a walk.
Here’s how utilizing a service that veterinarians endorse, like Trusted House Sitters, can alleviate all your worries.
1. Peace of Mind
Bid farewell to the stress of leaving your pets in unfamiliar environments, at home without supervision, bothering your neighbors to disrupt their routines for pet care, or forcing them to travel with you and listening to their complaints all day long. (Is this post about cats or teenagers?)
With Trusted House Sitters, your pets can remain in the comfort of their own home, minimizing anxiety and ensuring they receive the needed care and attention around the clock from a bona fide animal lover.
Additionally, you can receive daily updates from your pet sitter regarding how your pets are doing. Should any issues arise, someone is there to address them immediately. We loved getting daily photos and videos of Ivy and Mavis while we were away.
I know pet owners who struggled to find availability at dog care facilities, almost derailing their vacation dreams. With pet sitting, that concern is entirely eliminated. As I mentioned in our membership, you can find the perfect pet sitter in just a few hours!
Rest assured that Trusted Housesitters vet all pet sitters (ID, background, and reference checks) to maintain high standards. Still uncertain? The sitters’ profiles and reviews will also tell their story! Not to mention the crucial interview process!
2. Best Care for your Pet
It’s undeniable that your pet would much prefer to stay in their familiar environment. Having a pet sitter decreases their separation anxiety as everything, apart from your absence, remains unchanged.
Your pet will receive care from a friendly, loving face who can administer their medications, feed them their favorite foods, give them treats, take them for walks, play with them, and even allow them to sleep in your bed (if the sitter is amenable to that!).
No matter the type, age, or temperament of your pet, house sitting works for all kinds of pets. Our first pet sitter had grown up around animals on a farm in Kentucky, surrounded by many cats. Our upcoming sitter from Tennessee has owned several cats herself and has years of experience with animal rescue.
You can bet I’ll go on my vacation feeling far less worried about my girls!
3. Home Security
In addition to pet care, house sitters provide an extra layer of security by staying in your home while you’re away. This can deter potential burglars and offers peace of mind knowing your property is being cared for.
If you have a lot of plants and a cherished garden, having someone around to water them becomes more significant.
House sitters can also ensure the trash is taken out and the mail is collected. Losing important checks in the mailbox or having your latest Amazon delivery sitting on the porch for days is an invitation for trouble!
4. Cultural Exchange
Hosting a house sitter can be a rewarding cultural exchange experience. Many house sitters are travelers themselves, eager to explore new destinations while caring for homes and pets.
What a wonderful opportunity you’re giving someone to live out their dreams, explore, and grow personally.
I was thrilled to hear that our first sitter, Melissa, was going to house sit in Australia. Naturally, I jumped on the phone to provide her with advice on what to see and do. Once a pet sitter lives in your home, they become somewhat of a friend or kindred spirit you can reconnect with later.
We invited her to take on our upcoming house sit for our Wyoming trip, but she was unavailable. This flexibility is possible through Trusted Housesitters!
I enjoyed getting to know her and our upcoming sitter. I love learning how people are pursuing their own dreams and using house sitting as a way to do so. It creates such a valuable collaborative ecosystem.
5. Cost-Effective Pet Care for your Vacation
How does almost free sound? Traditional pet boarding services can be quite expensive, especially for multiple pets or extended trips.
TrustedHousesitters serves as a cost-effective alternative, often in exchange for free accommodation for the house sitter.
Your only expenses are the annual membership fee (for us as pet parents on the basic level, it was $149) and any specific needs for your pet during your time away – costs you would incur regardless.
On previous trips, I had a 4-day trip to Ocracoke where we used Rover to have someone (who was excellent) come to our home for 30 minutes each day to care for our two kittens and change their litter. The cost was $80.
However, we faced an AC issue while we were away, which was only discovered during the sitter’s brief visit. While she was great at resolving it, we ended up spending $110 due to her extended care.
Thus, the annual membership fee is nearly equivalent to that extra charge, and we could have addressed the issue sooner.
Considering that kennel or vet boarding could easily exceed $20 per day, the potential costs would add up quickly, not to mention the cramped spaces pets often face there.
Now, imagine if we had paid that $20 a day for our month-long trip in Europe; it would have amounted to around $600.
And if you have various types of animals from fish to dogs to horses, one membership and one sitter will cover all of them.
Clearly, the membership pays for itself with the first trip, and you can take as many trips as you wish throughout the remaining year – without extra fees. That’s what I call the cat’s pajamas.
Looking for an even better deal? We have a discount code for you that makes your pet care costs while traveling even more affordable! Use the code: YTRAVEL25 for a 25% discount (that’s less than my initial Rover cost for only 4 days of pet care).
How Trusted House-Sitting Works
Your pet-sitting membership includes support for both pet sitters and owners. You can find blog posts addressing your questions and offering helpful tips for sitters and owners, making it great for everyone – including our pets.
Using TrustedHousesitters as pet owners is straightforward:
1. Choose your membership plan & create a profile
The plans catered for all pet owners, from basic support in finding a sitter to more premium options that include insurance, cancellation protection, and airport lounge passes.
Membership prices range from US$129 for sitters and US$149 for pet parents.
As mentioned earlier, the membership effectively pays for itself, even if you opt for the top premium tier.
IMPORTANT: A free browsing membership is available with no credit card required, allowing sitters or pet parents to peruse sitters or house sitting opportunities before signing up. That’s an additional layer of safety and assurance.
2. List your Pet Sitting opportunity
Create and publish a listing that includes your travel dates, location, and pet care needs.
Be as detailed as possible to filter suitable applications effectively. This will save time for everyone during the vetting process.
You can also search for sitters via the membership portal, but it’s easier to let them come to you!
3. Vet & Interview
Get ready for applications! We received numerous applicants for our month-long listing when we went to Europe last summer, which made the selection process challenging but encouraging since we knew we’d find the best house sitter.
This was our first time as we had kittens and were new to house sitting as pet owners, so we wanted someone with experience.
You can review each applicant’s profile to gauge their house sitting and pet care experience, making sure to read their reviews thoroughly.
Once you’ve narrowed down potential house sitters, arrange a phone interview, either by phone or via Zoom. Since these individuals will be living in your home, it’s essential to feel comfortable with your choice and vice versa. (Your membership includes messaging features for easily communicating with applicants)
During the interview, you can gain more insight into their personalities, reasons for house sitting, and more.
Ensure they are comfortable with the specifics of the house sit, including pet care routines, rules, and what they can access in your home, such as bikes or vehicles.
Discuss how you’d like to stay connected while you’re away and provide more information about your vacation plans, including your availability for contact.
Don’t forget to also share information about your locality and why they might love it.
4. Confirm Your Ideal Sitter
After interviewing and finding your ideal sitter, confirm the arrangement and finalize any necessary details, such as key exchange and emergency contacts.
Trusted House Sitters simplifies this process by helping you create an online welcome guide for your sitter. You’ll share essential details about your pets, including their personalities, habits, likes, dislikes, feeding routines, and required medications.
You’ll also provide information about your home, including Wi-Fi access, streaming services, and important home security details.
Aside from pet care and accommodation, the sitter will likely want to explore your area. So, include a section in the guide detailing your favorite activities, dining spots, and other local highlights.
5. Prepare your home and pets
Welcome your pet sitters into a clean home, complete with fresh bedding and towels. You may want to prepare a space for their belongings in your bedroom, bathroom, office, or kitchen. Ensure that any valuables or personal items are locked away.
You are still financially responsible for your pet while you’re away, so ensure to leave food, medicine, litter supplies, etc. for your pet. If your sitter needs to purchase anything, be sure to reimburse them. Contact your veterinarian to let them know to invoice or charge your account, not the sitter, should any issues arise while you’re away.
Consider leaving some basic supplies – milk, butter, cooking oils, spices, etc. – for your sitter’s use, and clarify what they can and cannot use.
Notify your trusted neighbors that a pet sitter will be staying in your home, so they won’t call the police if they see a stranger coming and going. It’s also helpful for your sitter to have someone reliable nearby to turn to if they need assistance.
Our trusted neighbors, also pet owners, were delighted to hear about Trusted Housesitters when I told them a new friendly face would be around the house while we were gone! We even introduced Melissa to the neighbors as she arrived just before our departure.
How you start with the sitter is entirely up to you. You can arrange for them to enter the house after you leave and depart before you return, or you may prefer to meet them first. Be sure to leave adequate time before your flight to welcome them into your home and go through everything.
We prefer this approach, as long as the pet sitter feels comfortable with it. We even offer our pet sitters to stay the night before we leave or the day after we return.
6. Enjoy Your Trip
With your pets in capable hands, you’re free to embark on your travel adventures worry-free.
We loved how our pet sitter sent us daily photos and updates about our cats while we were away. This was easily done via WhatsApp!
You may also want to bring a gift back for your sitter. We brought home wine from one of the chateaus we visited in the Loire Valley, and our sitter surprised us with beautiful potted plants!
TrustedHousesitters is The Bee’s Knees
Why wouldn’t you consider Trusted Housesitters?
For pet owners who love to travel, it’s an obvious choice. I understand the reservations about letting a stranger stay in your home and care for your furry children, whom we love as much as our human ones.
I felt nothing but secure, safe, and excited about our house sitting experience as pet owners.
The most crucial aspect is providing the best care for our cats while we travel. Additionally, I appreciate having someone keep an eye on our home at a remarkably low cost.
Now you have the opportunity to leverage the hundreds of dollars you’ve saved and use it for Cinque Terre boat tours or fine French Chardonnay atop the Eiffel Tower.
