You're three hours into your flight when your phone buzzes. It’s a text message from the pet sitter: "Where do you keep the paper towels?" followed by "nvm found them" followed by a photo that makes you wish you hadn't looked.
Pet sitting disasters happen when communication fails, expectations don't match reality, or someone just wasn't the right fit. But fortunately, most of these problems are preventable if you know what to watch for.
Here are a few practical tips you can follow to avoid turning your time away from Prosper into a series of stressful texts with the person watching your pets.
Vet the sitter before you need them.
Booking someone the day before you leave is a risky choice. When you book earlier, it gives you the opportunity to check references and ask about punctuality, instruction-following, and general reliability.
This also gives you a chance to meet them in person before committing. Face-to-face meetings let you watch how they interact with your pets.
Does your dog relax around them or stay tense? That tells you something.
If you’re looking for a professional sitter rather than just a friend of a friend, this also gives you a chance to confirm they're insured and bonded.
Be honest about your pet’s issues.
"Doesn't always come when called" could be taken literally, or it might be code for "will bolt out the door the second it opens."
"Can be particular about new people" might be a polite way to say "will hide under the bed for two days."
Professional sitters have dealt with difficult animals before. But it’s always helpful to give your sitter information about what they're walking into. If your dog has separation anxiety, say so. If your cat gets aggressive when stressed, mention it. If your pets have specific triggers, spell those out clearly.
Write everything down.
What seems obvious to you isn't obvious to someone who's never been in your house. You know the back door sticks. You know the cat only drinks from the bathroom sink. You know the dog needs their food bowl elevated or they'll vomit.
Your sitter won’t know any of this unless you tell them.
It’s a smart idea to make a reference document with feeding schedules, medication instructions, emergency contacts, and house quirks. You’ll want to include your vet's information, supply locations, and what to do if specific problems arise.
Do a trial run.
If you're planning a two-week vacation, don't make that the sitter's first time with your pets. Schedule a shorter visit first, perhaps while you're at work or out for an evening.
This lets you see how things go without high stakes. That way you can make sure the sitter shows up on time, follows instructions, and that your pet seems comfortable after they leave.
It also gives your pets time to get used to the sitter. Dogs and cats both do better with familiar people than complete strangers suddenly showing up.
Set communication expectations.
Some people want daily photo updates. Others just want to be contacted if there's a problem. Figure out which type you are and tell your sitter explicitly.
It helps to establish early how you want to be reached—text, phone, email—and when it's appropriate to contact you versus handling things independently. And if you're going somewhere with limited cell service, make sure your sitter knows that and has a backup contact.
Have a backup plan.
Your sitter gets sick. Their car breaks down. A family emergency happens.
It’s for these situations that you need a plan B that doesn't involve panicking from another state.
Identify a backup person who can step in on short notice such as a trusted neighbor, another pet sitter, or a boarding facility. Make sure your primary sitter has this backup contact information.
Leave a key with someone reliable in addition to whatever access method you've given the sitter.
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Most pet sitting disasters come down to poor planning, unclear communication, or hiring someone who wasn't qualified for the job. Professional services with trained staff, insurance, and established procedures tend to have fewer issues than random people you found online.
Looking for professional pet sitting in Prosper? Call Woofie's® of Frisco-McKinney at (469) 242-0892 or schedule online for reliable care backed by experience and training.