r/petsitting

I’m an established pet sitter and have run my business going on three years now. I offer walks, drop-in visits, and do pet sitting visits throughout the day for people who are out of town. It is getting hard to work early morning to late at night for people who are out of town. I have one employee who helps me and I am considering hiring a second soon. I’ve been thinking about switching my business model and not doing pet sitting anymore, so I can just work from 9am-5pm and have more consistent hours. I’m just unsure of this move and how it will work out with all of my clients. Has anyone made this switch before and have any advice? Thank you.

What are some icks you’ve experienced from clients or just small harmless things they’ve done that’s put you off them?

I was just thinking about this today when I was dreading going into a client’s home. She’s an extreme minimalist so she only owns 1 bowl per cat so every visit I wash and hand dry their bowls but it never feels like I can get them fully dry/clean if I don’t air dry them.

I am an established cat sitter in my area and have many clients and fantastic reviews which means I am pretty much booked solid weeks in advance especially for a holiday. It never fails to amaze me that potential new clients try to book 2 days before a holiday weekend! It doesn’t matter what holiday either, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, 4th of July I always get bombarded with requests from potential new clients a few days before. I can and do accommodate regulars who need a last minute sitter. How do you turn potential new clients because of availability but also not chase them away as Id like to book with them at some point if they can give kind of a more advanced notice? Also saying no is extremely hard for me on top of it all.

For those sitters who have had dogs in their care get into a fight, what has worked for you?

I've had this happen in 3 homes in the past 2 years. Both homes where I had been doing overnights for YEARS without incident, and the third more recent home was a client I picked up last summer and sit for regularly. She said it's only happened once before and I went over my plan moving forward so there is no chance of reoccurrence of the same trigger. Triggers have been different in all three homes.

I have a dog walking fanny pack now with an air horn and citronella dog deterrence spray (although the latter is more for if a dog runs up off leash during a walk and mace isn't necessary which I also carry). After this last incident, I have added ear plugs because laying on an ear horn is difficult when you feel like you are busting an ear drum.

The 2 of the 3 homes the dogs weren't wearing collars. In all 3 homes there were not injuries, dogs were biting but not breaking the skin thankfully. It's been a matter of breaking them from the state they are in enough to be able to separate without getting bit.

Y'all, I've been doing this work for 18 years (although 8 full time) and until a year and a half ago, nothing like this has happened. I feel like I'm learning as I go here on how to stop a fight, and that is a DANGEROUS way to learn. What I've read to do hasn't worked in my situations. I am worried the next time there could be blood and I need a stronger plan. I stay calm in an emergency, and think fast to strategize, I just need some different strategies and hope someone here had some new ones to offer. I am sick thinking of what COULD have happened or COULD happen. Clients have praised me for how I've handled each situation, but I don't feel good about it at all as a sitter.

Hey, I'm not pet sitter, just an owner of cat with broken spine. Because of my experience I know bunch of stuff like injections, rehabilitation of cats after incidents(massages, electrostimulations etc), stimulation of bladder for pee process and know how to help cat to poop.

Depends on than experience can I be pet sitter for cats with special needs and does people need this kind of pet sitting?

I’m an independent pet sitter that is college aged and mainly sit for friends of my parents. My normal rate is $50 for over night which is fairly reasonable for the local I live (a moderately sized town where the living wage is $24.50 an hour). I’m not sure if I’m under cutting myself in the first place or not?

Ok to explain the sitting situation I‘m in the right now where I‘m definitely being under paid. I was recommended by to this person by one of my mom‘s friends that I’ve sit for, for a lot time and have a good relationship with (2 dogs supper chill) and I really enjoy spend time with. She texted me asking if I could sit for her for three weeks in June/july, I initially didn’t really want to do it because its a really long time so I ignored the text bc I was busy, then later texted her back bc it would be a good way for me to make some money. She said she had someone but would keep me in mind, then texted me a few weeks from then and asked if I could meet to talk about sitting and I had no clue what I was getting myself in for.

- 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 parakeets, 2 fish tanks, like 5 ducks and a whole flock of chickens

Its a lot but when we initially meet it was just to meet everyone and get an idea for the 3 week stay. She said the dogs and parakeets would go to a friend’s house, so I wouldn’t have to take care of them. I’d be left with the cats, fish tanks, ducks and chickens. She brought up cost and at first waited to pay me $45 a day/night, I said I normally do $50 for my mom’s friend for just two dogs. She said that was reasonable bc I was going to be staying the night. I kind of feel like that’s not enough in the first place bc Ive charged 50 for just two cats before. I kind of agreed because I feel uncomfortable negotiating especially with someone I don’t know very well.

It doesn’t end there because last week she sent me and sos texted that she needed a sitter asap for a family emergency (family member going to hospice). I agreed to it and meet up with her to go over all what would be needed to do. Since it was short notice she would not be able to send the dogs and birds to a friends and now I’m left with all of them. When we talked about payment she really didn’t want to pay me more with the additional 2 dogs and 2 birds. She said it only takes her an hour in the morning and night to do everything around the house for the animals. I’m not her I don‘t know her pets and how to run her house and that’s not how pet sitting works.

I was able to get her to raise it to $65 bc I asked how much she paid her previous pet sitter and it was 65. I told her I need to make this worth my while and that gas prices are getting expensive. She said it was would be really expensive for her to pay me much more than that and acknowledged that having so many pets makes have a sitter experience. She did tell me if I started doing it and felt I wasn’t being paid enough to talk to her but it‘s so awkward to do that.

Oh on top of all of the normal pet stuff she’s was getting live snail and shrimp delivered which were might to arrive 5 days ago but came late so I that to unbox them and do a video incase any of the were DOA (thank god they were all alive).

She later texted me that I would need to pill her dog bc her had tumors and could explode then she would need to be put down during the time I’m watching them. I can’t do that, even if it doesn‘t happen when Im here its enough to scare the living sh*t out of me.

Its just a really messy situation bc she have so much going on in her life I don’t want to be a bitch and ask for more money when she is clearly struggling. I’m glad I was able to do this for her in her time of need but I cant just except it and she did say if anything changed about how I felt about the pay to tell her.

rant/context:

She’s has had a hard time with a pet sitter in the past where one left her dogs alone for 13 hours and they pooped and peed in the house. The person tried to deny it but she has cameras so she knows that it happened. I would never do that, it’s cruel to do that to any animal.

I kind of want to give her a reality check bc you can’t have that many pets and expect to pay a sitter shit but still expect to get a good quality of care. I don’t want to justify what the other sitter did but I‘m not feeling like putting my full 100% in bc I’m not being paid adequately.

Also so many text!!

Sorry for the long post I just needed to get that off my chest and I looking for some advice on what to do.

I saw a flyer today for a dog walker in the neighborhood of one of my clients, and it says ”ages 11-12.” How are we allowing literal kids to walk dogs? I’m not crazy for being flabbergasted, am I?

Ive got 2 very ill pets at home, one awaiting an operation for later in the week and one that needs monitoring to see if he needs further treatment for eating something poisonous. They both need monitoring.

I regularly have someone’s dogs for 2 days a week, only ever let them down when I’ve been ill with something I could pass on (I’ve been willing to work but stayed home both times at her request).

I’ve had to cancel the 2 days this week as I can’t leave my animals right now. The owner has responded to me with zero empathy and basically dumped all of her problems she has going on to me saying that it’s not good for her that I’m not available because she has xyz going on. I get it, I feel bad to let her down but this is a true emergency and I will not put my clients or their pets first, before my own pets. Ever.

I am so angry at her complete lack of compassion or even basic politeness. I understand that I’ve let her down, but not working and being at home is not a choice I make easy, I don’t get paid for this. We don’t get sick pay or compassionate pay doing this as a job!

Anyone else had anything similar? I don’t think I’m looking for advice but would be nice to hear some kind words as I’m so stressed out. I hate letting people down as it is.

Do you send a follow up if the client doesn't let you know they've returned home and all is well?

I've heard Rover isn't always ideal? I'm new to all this -- have a senior dog and cat, both with specific medical needs and want to find someone trustworthy who can stay in my house overnight when I'm gone.

Is there a particular website or screening method I should be aware of -- how can I find a reliable and trusted sitter?

I'm in a pickle and Im not sure what to do. I want the best for the dog (Fido) because of its current situation and I feel like Im abandoning Fido if I dont do anything.

Back in February a client I sat for for months at a time asked me to watch Fido for the summer (May 15-September 15). I told him the price and he said he'll think about it because it's expensive for his overseas trip to see family and for me to watch Fido

April the owner told me he's leasing his house for the duration of his trip and the family will take care of Fido. So the owner won't need me and I book other clients, that's fine.

Yesterday, the owner texts me saying the family isn't doing well with Fido. The family has a young daughter and their own dog. Fido is very friendly and energetic, and has a big personality. I dont know and I dont think the family met Fido before agreeing to the lease. Owner asks if I can take Fido or if I know anyone who can take Fido. After talking to the owner over text, he hasn't heard from the family in a while and texted me out of concern.

I can't take Fido because my family is allergic and the owner knows this. I feel awful about not helping out and asking my friends and neighbors to help the owner's mistake. Any advice or suggestions? TIA!

TLDR: Family not getting along with a dog I sat for and owner is pushing dog on to me.

Is anyone currently using AI integration tools like Zapier to automate their petsitting workflows/admin? If so, how has it been working for you, and would you recommend it? What tools are you using and are you integrating it with petsitting software like TTP?

Just to clarify, this would not mean using AI for writing updates or anything that requires creativity. Purely for admin workflow, like automatically sending update (written without AI) emails to clients once they sign petsitting agreement or pay, automating client onboarding, autoscheduling follow up tasks for myself to ensure I don't ever forget to do something. Stuff like that.

I'm looking for ways to continue optimizing my admin workflow, & trying to decide if going the AI integration route is worth investing time or money into. If you have any specific examples of how you're using it, or tools you recommend, I'd love to hear more. I've never used AI automation tools before, and am still pretty new to AI in general, so would love to hear pros and cons. Thanks!

*Please note, I work for a professional pet sitting company - i’m not an independent pet sitter.

I have a super entitled, overbearing & controlling client. I am her only sitter, she refuses to let anyone else from the company walk her dog. I’ve been walking this dog since it was a puppy and she’s now three. Untrained, nippy/(sometimes bites down) reactive shiz tzu (hence why I’m the only one who walks it)
With this all said, I hope to move out of state soon and will have to break the news to my company and then inform my long standing clients I’m leaving.
How best would I approach telling this long standing client this news when I know how insane it will make her that I’ll no longer be walking her dog. Side note, these clients have said to my face they think I’m “family.”

Hi all!
I’m doubting myself a bit so I thought I’d see what you all thought about my payment structure. Basically, I’ve been pet sitting for going on 4 years. At first, I just took payment at the end of the sit. This last year I changed house sitting to requiring 50% as a deposit to reserve dates and 50% once the sit is complete. I had a lot of my clients requesting dates 6-8 months in advance and then I’d have clients cancelling months later after I’d turn away other clients. Recently, a client I’ve had for the past couple years (usually does a sit a year or two a year) reach out for a house sit next month. She was actually the last person that burned me on requesting a house sit 6-8 months in advance then cancelling a few weeks prior and I turned other clients down who then found alternative sitters. I let her know starting this year I require a 50% deposit then the rest at the end of the sit. She asked if it was refundable and I explained my policy is to refund 50% of the deposit towards a future sit. She hasn’t responded back and most of my clients have not even hesitated at the change, but it’s made me doubt myself a little bit. Do you all think my policy is too strict?

Hey all,

So I have these clients who have been with me for almost 2 years now. They used to be irregular but for the past year, they’ve been a repeat client twice a week. They’re mostly kind.

They used to be the WORST with cancellations. Like so bad- always on the day of, either owner’s illness (always a cold- looking back, now sure why this warrant a cancellation), a booked vet visit, a booked photoshoot for the dog… a lot of excuses that definitely could’ve been told much in advance. Except being ill, although they pulled it a lot and always on the morning/ few hours before. I messaged them to say that how this affected me, and to please give heads up- they said they understood.

So I implemented a cancellation fee and updated my policy a year ago. They read and agreed it. Anyway, the still tried to pull it few times (again- last min) last winter and I’d remind them of the cancellation fee, and then they’d un-cancel..?

This year, there’s already been two instances where they tried to cancel for various seasons (usually changed WFH schedule, friend can walk the dog etc) last minute and would again- uncancel- if I reminded them of the fee. My fees are as follows:

72 hours or more notice: full refund

72-48 hours notice: 50%

48 or less: no refund.

Today, they messaged me at 10pm to say that the dog won’t need his regular walk on Wednesday- this is technically 63 hours before the walk, therefore a 50% cancellation fee would apply. It kind of really got to me this evening,because I don’t want to sound like a broken record and remind them of the fee again, incase they contest it. It makes me feel like I’m being petty or in the wrong. I can be forgiving to regular clients as a one off, but this has now become such a pattern and I hate having to remind them, because otherwise they probably will ‘forget’ to pay despite having a pdf of my policies. They tried to do similar (just over a day before the walk) last week but surprise- kept the walk after I mentioned the fee. This was because one of them decided to wfh.

I know the most forward thing to do is just say ‘no problem! Just a reminder, a cancellation fee will apply etc etc’ but I’m sick of reminding them, and worried that they’ll kick off since their notice is ‘close enough’ to 72 hrs. I was double checking their payments in the last few months and have also noticed they haven’t paid three cancellation fee- two in autumn when they were ill (they told me they had transferred for the week) and for a walk just before Xmas, where they literally let me know few hours before. I sent them a message politely reminding them of the fee and why the fee is in place- turns out they just left this on read and I saw that their next message was weeks after, just resuming our walking schedule after Christmas break. So I’m extra stressed to ask for these very late payment too.

Any advice please? I love this dog so much and the owners are mostly polite and nice, just often inconsiderate. Thanks for reading :(

Edit: I’ve messaged them saying that’s fine but a cancellation fee will be applied as it’s less than 72 hrs- to which they’ve replied ‘oh we thought we wouldn’t be charged with a 3 days notice?’

I’m not sure if they’re deliberately ignoring that I measure by hours not days, or being tactful with their words 😭

Hi! I’m watching an adorable little cat right now. She’s a Siamese tortie mix. However, she only gets one small can a day. 1/2 in morning and 1/2 at night. She should be getting at least 2 cans, right? I just feel cruel giving her so little food throughout the day. No dry food to graze on either.

But she seems healthy. And she’s not my cat, so maybe it’s all okay. I just worry.

Update: I sent a gentle message to the owner asking if I was supposed to give the cat 2 cans a day instead of 1 because that’s what it says on the back of the can. and she read my message and confirmed, once again, that it’s only 1 can a day. One 3 oz can a day. I’m at a loss. I don’t want to keep pressuring them because this is a brand new client.

Hi there! I use on app but have a lot of clients who I met off of of it just wondering what insurance everyone uses especially in Canada and how you got it?
Thank you!

I'm always pumped when I start a sit, then at the end, I'm always worrying about what I did wrong.

On one, I got lost and walked an old dog way too far. On another, I sent too many updates. Even after they insinuated that they had enough.

Sigh. I always end my sits feeling bad, focusing on what I did wrong. I hate it. Maybe I'm not cut out for this.