Can I house sit with my own pet?

One of the questions we’re most frequently asked is, can I house sit with my own pet? As pet lovers ourselves, we understand that some people don’t want to leave their furry friends behind when they go travelling.

Happily, many sitters do successfully house sit with their pets however, if it’s something you’re considering there are some things you should be aware of first.

So, here are our top tips for house sitting with your own pet.

The first impression an owner has of you is from your profile. If you plan to bring your pet on a sit, you must state this in your profile so owners immediately know your situation. There’s nothing worse than contacting a sitter whose profile reads great then finding out down the track that they’re intending to bring their pet with them. Another important tip is to have a profile photo of you with your pet. Aussie House Sitters allows you to upload up to 12 photos showing how fabulous you are, so use that opportunity to showcase how awesome your pet is as well. They could be snuggling up to you or walking on a lead, or even better, having fun with another pet. 

An important point consider is, why is the homeowner looking for a house sitter. The vast majority of owners are looking for someone not only to care for their home but also their pets.

You need to ask yourself, would my pet improve or reduce the quality of the experience for these owners.

For example, cats can be territorial and won’t always welcome your own dog or cat intruding on their space. On the other hand, dogs can often relish the company of another pet. The easiest way to find out if an owner is happy for you to bring your own pets it to use the Pets Welcome filter. Whenever you search for a house sit you will see the Refine Search area which you can use to narrow your search to choose the preferences that suit you. By clicking the ‘Pets Welcome’ tab you will see all the house sits that welcome sitters to bring their own pet with them.

The best way to assure a homeowner that you and your pet are the right house sitters for them is to anticipate any issues that may arise. 

Be sure to include plenty of details about your pet in your communications so they can make an informed decision. 

It’s always difficult to know how animals will get on so an important consideration is to offer to bring your pet to meet the owner and their pets before the sit begins. This is the easiest way to know if both pets will get along and will put the owner’s minds at ease knowing their pet has a friend while they’re away. 

Lastly, if the owner declines you and you best mate for the sit, accept that the owners probably have a good reason and be good natured in your understanding of their circumstances. After all, there will always be another house sit you can apply for.

Check out all the homeowner ads who allow sitters to bring their pets here: Pets Welcome.