For people that love to travel, but can’t always bring their pets, there are now pet sitting services that can offer you peace of mind, without the high cost. Trusted Housesitters is an online company that brings together travelers and sitters while building trust and friendships.
Finding a pet sitter before traveling can be extremely stressful, especially since your pet is like a family member being left behind. Many people don’t want to impose on friends or neighbors, and find it difficult choosing someone they trust will have them and their pet’s best interests in mind. Professional pet sitters can be very expensive, and kennels are not right for everyone. My dog would be very depressed spending a week or more in a kennel. These experiences or concerns have kept many people, myself included, from traveling as they would like, especially when it comes to international travel.
About a year ago, a friend told me about Trusted Housesitters, a company that he had used many times. This UK based company allows people to connect with kind and caring sitters for your home and/or pet. Trusted Housesitters is aimed at a community of pet lovers throughout the world. It brings together pet owners who love to travel, and persons who love to house or pet sit in their favorite places, or places on their wish list. The platform works especially well for digital nomads who are pet lovers, and who love to explore new places without the high cost.
How Trusted Housesitters Works
Becoming a member of Trusted Housesitters is a fairly easy process for both pet owners and sitters.
For pet owners, after paying one of the various fee options and clearing a background check, the next step includes the creation of a profile that describes their home and pet, including photos, and a description of the sitter responsibilities. The owner then makes their listing live with their travel dates. Interested sitters can submit an application explaining why they are the right candidate. The owner can review each candidate by reading the sitter profile as well as their reviews and ratings.
Once the owner has narrowed their list of candidates, they are free to correspond via phone, e-mail or by video conference to get better acquainted and make sure they are comfortable with the sitter. Once the owner has selected the preferred candidate, they simply confirm online with all parties their decision. An online guide allows the owner to provide specific details for the selected sitter, such as contact information, veterinary information, nearby restaurants and grocery stores, mail and trash pickup and other and details about the home and pet.
For persons interested in sitting, the first step after paying the membership fee and clearing a background check is to create a profile describing who they are, why they want to house or pet sit, their experience, and their preferred sitting locations. First time sitters with Trusted Housesitters can post references from previous house sitting experience, and then request reviews once they have started sitting on Trusted Housesitters. Sitters can apply via the website e-mail system to any of the house sitter requests they are interested in.
The current basic annual membership fee of $189 allows members to both house sit, or use a sitter, and includes the background check. The standard plan fee of $229 adds other benefits such as accident and third party liability protection, home and content protection, and free video calls with vets at anytime. A premium membership plan, for $319, includes sit cancellation insurance, and airport lounge passes. Once the membership plan is paid, there are no other additional costs for either the pet owner, or sitter. In my opinion, all three of these plans are much less expensive than paying for private professional pet or kennel services, especially for people that travel frequently.
Over the past year, I have used Trusted Housesitters numerous times, and really enjoyed the experience and easy process. I have used two of my sitters more than once, while also building trust and new friendships. One of my sitters is a couple that has spent the past five years as digital nomads, traveling internationally while watching homes and pets throughout the world. Another had her own pet sitting company before joining the program, and we have become good friends – we communicate often, sharing pictures of our dog, and she even invited us to stay at her own AirBnb for free. I usually let my sitters arrive the day before we leave to get reacquainted, and will usually bring back a small gift of appreciation from my travels.
Everyone Wins!
Trusted Housesitters allows a win-win-win for everyone, including you, your pet, and your sitter. As a pet owner, you are free to travel knowing that someone you can trust is watching your home and pet, and that you will get frequent updates, at no cost. Your pet is able to stay in their own home in their comfortable surroundings, while being cared for by a competent sitter. Finally, your sitter gets a free place to stay in a place of their choosing, while doing what they love – taking care of pets and homes. I highly recommend Trusted Housesitters to any pet lover that loves to travel.