As a wanderlust, I’m constantly on the move, exploring new destinations and immersing myself in different cultures. While this lifestyle is incredibly rewarding, one of the challenges has always been finding an affordable accommodation that feels like home. That’s where Trusted Housesitters has truly transformed the way I travel.
What is Trusted Housesitters?
For those unfamiliar, TrustedHousesitters connects pet owners with travelers who are willing to care for their pets and homes in exchange for free accommodation. Essentially, it’s a platform that fosters mutual trust between people who love animals and those who want to see the world.
For me, Trusted Housesitters offers more than just a roof over my head. It provides a sense of purpose during my travels. As an empty nester who always had a busy household full of kids and pets, caring for pets while staying in cozy homes has made my travels feel more in my comfort zone. I love having a purring cat next to my laptop while I’m writing, or a playful dog to join me on my morning and evening walks.
I found Trusted Housesitters a year after covid when I was traveling the beaches of Florida and the prices of airbnbs skyrocketed from all the people starting to get back out into the world. It was a welcoming alternative to the higher prices. But once I started doing it, I realized it was far better than staying alone in a hotel. The companionship of a pet when traveling was more comforting than I imagined. I enjoy some alone time, but not all the time! I grew up with a house full of pets. I raised my kids with pets. And now, I am like the loving grandmom who gets to stay and spoil the pets while the parents are away!
Trusted Housesitter Community
My favorite part about Trusted Housesitters is the community. The people I meet, the friends I have made, the experiences living in a local community that I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced, are all the things that I love most. I have enjoyed the people as much as the pets. And there are several places where I want to move because the neighbors were fantastic! That is one of the perks of petsitting at a home vs staying at a hotel or airbnb.
Most of the homeowners have welcomed me to come the night before they leave, inviting me to dinner and showing me around their local area. I haven’t met a homeowner I didn’t like! Trusted Housesitters seems to attract people who are kind and welcoming as well as appreciative of someone lovingly caring for their pets in their home while they travel.
While its not expected, most homeowners leave a gift card, gift bag, or fill the fridge with my favorite foods. Some have even left me wine to enjoy! Several have venmoed me a tip after my stay. It is their way of saying thanks (while saving them a bunch more money for pet care alternatives!) Of course, this is not something Trusted Housesitters promotes. It’s just something many homeowners do.
Pros & Cons of Petsitting for Travel
So if you are not yet sold on the amazing service of Trusted HouseSitters, let’s look at the pros (and cons), so you can decide if it is right for you.
The Pros
For Petsitters:
- Cost-Effective Travel: Enjoy free accommodation in exchange for your time and care, significantly cutting down travel costs.
- Local Living Experience: Staying in someone’s home lets you explore destinations authentically, often in non-touristy areas.
- Pet Companionship: Perfect for animal lovers who can’t own pets due to lifestyle or travel schedules. You’ll form special bonds with furry friends!
- Global Opportunities: The platform offers options all over the world, from bustling cities to serene countryside retreats.
For Pet Owners:
- Affordability: Save on expensive pet-sitting or boarding costs while offering travelers a unique opportunity.
- No Kennel Stress: Pets stay in a familiar environment, avoiding the anxiety that can come with boarding facilities.
- Peace of Mind: Leave for your trip knowing your beloved pets are cared for in their own home by someone vetted and trustworthy.
- Regular Updates: Most sitters are happy to send photos and updates, giving you reassurance that all is well at home.
The Cons
For Petsitters:
- Responsibility: You’re not just a care-free traveler. You’re committing to caring for someone’s pets and home, which requires dedication and reliability.
Tip: Be sure you are able to spend time caring and loving on the pets before committing to a sit. - Limited Freedom: Unlike staying in a hotel or rental, your schedule may revolve around pet care (e.g., feeding, walking, or administering medication).
Tip: Be sure to ask about time schedules before committing to a sit. If a pet needs meds every 4 hours, a day at Disney might not work. - Membership Fee: While there’s an annual fee to join TrustedHousesitters, it pays off quickly with just one or two stays.
Tip: pay the fee! The cost is about one night a hotel. So worth it.
For Pet Owners:
- Trust Factor: It can be nerve-wracking to invite a stranger into your home, even with the platform’s vetting process.
Tip: look at reviews and believe them! And be sure to set up a voice or video call and follow your gut instincts. If you connect with them, it is likely a good fit. - Matching Process: Finding the right sitter may take time, especially during peak travel seasons or for pets with special needs.
Tip: plan early and be honest about any special needs. - Preparation Effort: You’ll need to provide clear instructions, organize the home, and ensure your pet’s routine is easy for the sitter to follow.
Tip: keep it simple, pet-sitters do not need a book, just basic guidelines.
I included both petsitters and pet owners because it’s important to see the other perspective. Understand that both parties have to be trusted and trusting.
Tips for Getting Started
I’ll never forget my first petsit. I had just set up my profile on Trusted Housesitters and applied for a sit. And I was accepted! No interview, no phone call, just accepted. That doesn’t happen anymore! Today, pet owners are being more careful and while Trusted Housesitters has a descent vetting process, it doesn’t tell you everything.
In order to get accepted for a petsit, you need to have a really great profile that highlights your experience, your love of animals, and why you want to petsit.
When you apply, if you are new, be sure to address that and let them know you can provide outside references.
Some pet owners will get back to you right away, others wait until they have a bunch of applicants then go through them and either reject you or ask for a meeting, which can be a phone call or video call.
Be proactive in your communication. Text prior to the call to confirm and follow up with a thank you. This lets them see how active you will be in communicating with them during your stay.
On the call, be sure to let them know why you’d love to petsit. Make sure you highlight why you love dogs, cats, birds or whatever pets they have and how much time you will be spending at the home.
I actually really love these calls. Getting to talk and learn about their location, their community, and their pets is exciting for me. This is the part that makes the whole thing so great! You learn from the locals about the place you are going to!
Don’t feel bad or get discouraged if they don’t choose you. And don’t feel bad telling them that you don’t feel like it is a good fit for you. This is where you need to be honest so you are not put in an uncomfortable situation.
One of my first petsits was with a 1 year old medium-large dog that was not fully trained and jumped up on me (or tried to) every time I came in the door. I have trained my own dogs, but I am not a dog trainer, nor is this my dog to train. I will work with pets in some training that the owners are working on, but this one was hard on me because the dog was too large and untrained and left me with some serious scratches. She got better during my sit but still had uncontrollable moments that made the sit more difficult than it was worth for me.
So now I ask the question about how trained the dog is and if it is a jumper, particularly for bigger dogs, and I pass on any that are still in training on this.
Once you land your first sit, be sure to be very communicative. Send daily pics of their cuteness! And respond to any inquiries from the owners promptly. Leave a review and request one in return.
Overall, Trusted HouseSitters has saved me a lot of money on my travels. And I have saved pet owners a lot of money on their travels. It is a win-win that I feel very fortunate to have found and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves pets and has a wanderlust to explore.
Vacation pet sitting with love. Home and pet care from verified and reviewed pet sitters you can trust.
Authors Ad Disclosure Note: I signed up as an affiliate of Trusted Housesitters after using their site for 3 years because I love it! So if you sign up through a link on this page, I might make a few dollars for my referral and it won’t cost you anything. Learn how we make money to support our site in our full ad disclosure here.
