Do pet sitting companies require background checks for sitters?

Background checks should be standard for anyone entering your home with a key and access to your pets. But not all pet sitting companies run them, and some only do basic online checks that miss a lot.

You're likely asking this question because you're about to hand over your house key to someone you've never met, and you want to know they’ve been vetted. This is entirely reasonable and you should absolutely be able to have the comfort of knowing that someone you can trust will be taking care of your pets while you’re away.

Good companies run criminal background checks at minimum. Some also verify employment history, check references, and require certifications like pet first aid or CPR. The depth of vetting varies, but at baseline, they should be screening for criminal history and confirming the person is who they say they are.

One thing to be aware of as you search for a pet sitter is that "background check" can mean different things in different contexts. Some companies use instant online checks that only pull public records and miss anything that wasn't digitized or occurred in another state. Others use more thorough services that check county, state, and federal databases. And some companies rely solely on user reviews without a formal vetting process. When in doubt, ask what kind of background check the company runs.

You will also want to make sure your pet sitting company of choice is fully insured and bonded. If something gets damaged or stolen, or if your dog gets injured under the sitter's care, you want to know the company has coverage. Not all do.

Woofie's pet sitters in Austin Hill Country go through background checks, reference verification, and hands-on training before they're ever sent to a client's home. The company is bonded and insured, so if something goes wrong, you're covered.