Earlier than you begin accepting home sitting jobs, it’s essential that you just ask potential pet and owners the proper questions. This can make sure that each you and the house owners are on the identical web page about expectations, duties, every day routines, and what to do within the case of emergencies.
In case you’re a eager traveler or digital nomad on the lookout for a enjoyable and budget-friendly method to discover the world, give home sitting and pet sitting a strive.
Home sitting is if you keep and take care of somebody’s house whereas they’re away, whereas pet sitting additionally entails caring for his or her pets. Some home sitting duties embrace checking for mail, watering the vegetation, cleansing the home, and sustaining the pool. Pet sitting duties additionally contain feeding, enjoying, cuddling, strolling, and bathing.
I completely love home and pet sitting; it’s allowed me to journey all around the globe, from Tokyo to Brussels, Vancouver, and Edinburgh. Not solely is it a tremendous method to join with locals, expertise completely different cultures, and spend high quality time with animals, nevertheless it additionally saves you tons of cash on journey lodging.
On this article, I’m going to cowl the 41 most necessary inquiries to ask pet house owners earlier than taking a pet sitting job.
Inquiries to Ask In regards to the Pets
First, let’s concentrate on crucial facet of pet sitting: the animals. Right here is my listing of the 20 important pet-related inquiries to ask earlier than canine or cat sitting:
1. What are the pets’ personalities like?
Asking this query will offer you a snapshot of how your pet sit is prone to be; is the pet energetic? Lazy? Affectionate? Playful? Reserved? By discovering out, you understand what to anticipate. Moreover, any variations of their personalities or habits can point out potential discomfort while the house owners are away.
2. What are the pets’ every day routines like?
This is likely one of the most necessary inquiries to ask pet house owners, because it gives you the very best concept of what your day-to-day life would appear to be in the course of the pet sit. It’s additionally necessary for the pet’s sake, as most thrive on consistency.
3. When and the place do the pets get fed? How a lot meals do they get?
As I stated earlier than, pets love consistency, particularly on the subject of one thing as necessary to them as meals. Evidently, that is a vital query to ask.
4. Do the pets get any treats? How usually?
In my expertise, the reply to this query all the time varies; some house owners give their pets treats usually as a coaching technique, whereas others are involved about weight problems and really not often give their animals treats. It’s essential to make clear the pet proprietor’s views and directions the place treats are involved.
5. For canines: What number of walks do they go on per day? How lengthy are these walks, and round what time do you go on them?
One of the vital anticipated and important components of a canine’s day is their walks. So, it’s necessary to test what number of walks they go on and the way lengthy their walks are, in an effort to make sure that the canines get sufficient train.
6. For canines: What are your normal strolling routes?
Since animals love regularity, realizing their normal strolling routes is necessary for them to really feel comfy on their every day walks. Nevertheless, some canines additionally want some variability; you may all the time double-check what the canines want by asking the house owners.
7. For cats: Are they allowed outdoor?
That is for sure one of the crucial necessary inquiries to ask cat house owners. It is best to solely let the cat go exterior in the event that they’re allowed to; if not, you may danger shedding the cat, which is likely one of the worst issues that would occur on a pet sit.
8. For cats: The place is the litter field situated? How usually ought to I clear and substitute it?
One other important query to ask cat house owners is how they handle their litter bins. In my expertise, each cat proprietor does it in another way, from having their cats do their enterprise within the backyard to altering the cat litter every day.
9. How a lot playtime do the pets want?
When pets aren’t given the quantity of consideration or affection that they want, they’ll begin creating undesirable and damaging behaviors. So, it’s all the time necessary to ask pet house owners how a lot playtime their pets want in a day.
10. Will I must groom, brush, or bathe the pets? How usually?
So as to take excellent care of the pets, it is advisable to groom, brush, or bathe them. Nevertheless, the quantity of grooming wanted differs per breed and per particular person, so it’s all the time important to ask the pet house owners.
11. Do the pets have any medical points that I ought to concentrate on?
Asking this query is important for figuring out if the pet sit is best for you (i.e., if you happen to’re comfy with caring for a pet with sure medical issues), and for the pet sit itself. In different phrases, realizing the medical points that the pets have permits you to higher put together for issues that will come up.
12. Do the pets take any drugs?
Much like the final query, previous to a pet sit, you need to all the time concentrate on whether or not it is advisable to give the pets any drugs. Moreover, you need to ask how to present the pets their drugs (do they combine it in with their meals, for instance, or wrap it up in meat?).
13. The place is the closest veterinary clinic, and what’s their telephone quantity and tackle?
No matter how wholesome the pets are, emergencies can come up. In these conditions, it’s important that you understand the place the closest vet is, and their telephone quantity. Fortunately, I’ve by no means needed to carry a pet to the vet, nevertheless it’s all the time necessary to know this data, simply in case.
14. Are the pets allowed on the furnishings?
One other the most effective inquiries to ask when home sitting is that if the pets are allowed on the furnishings. Understanding this can make sure that neither you nor the pets will get into bother when the owners return.
15. Are there any areas in the home that the pets are usually not allowed to go to?
Much like the final query, asking this can make sure that the animal-free zones of the home are stored that method; animal-free.
16. The place do the pets sleep?
That is one other query that receives completely different solutions on a regular basis. Whereas a lot of the canine house owners that I do know permit their canines on their beds, some hold their pets particularly areas in a single day.
17. Do the pets get alongside effectively with different animals?
Asking this query is particularly necessary when canine sitting, as you’ll regularly encounter different canines in your walks. So, if you understand that the canines don’t get alongside effectively with different animals, you may stop difficult encounters by shifting to the opposite facet of the street.
18. Do the pets get alongside effectively with different people?
In an identical vein, if you understand that the canines don’t get alongside effectively with different folks, you may make sure that you each have loads of house away from others when strolling on the sidewalk.
19. What number of hours can the pets be left alone?
In case you’re hoping to sight-see throughout your home sit, then this is likely one of the most necessary inquiries to ask pet house owners. By realizing what number of hours the pets might be left alone, you may plan your outings accordingly.
20. Is there anything that I ought to find out about your pets?
Lastly, the final necessary query to ask the pet house owners is that if there’s anything that it is advisable to know. This may embrace any quirks of the pets, actions they like doing, or mates they’ve within the neighborhood.
Inquiries to Ask In regards to the Home
Now that we’ve gone over what to ask pet house owners earlier than taking a pet sitting job, let’s concentrate on the house. These are the 15 most necessary house-related inquiries to ask earlier than home sitting:
1. Do I would like a safety code to enter and exit your own home? How does it work?
Earlier than beginning your home sit, one of the crucial necessary issues to know is that if there’s a safety code wanted to enter or exit the house. This can make sure that you don’t set off the alarm unintentionally and that you just go away the home protected and safe if you’re out.
2. Are there any safety cameras that I ought to concentrate on?
It is a query that I regularly neglect to ask owners, though it’s tremendous necessary. By asking if there are any safety cameras on the property, you get to know what areas are personal, and what safety measures are in place.
3. What’s the WiFi password, and the place is the modem situated?
One other important query it’s a must to ask earlier than the owners go away is what the Wifi password is. And don’t neglect to ask in regards to the modem as effectively; I as soon as spent over an hour on the lookout for it on a home sit (and I couldn’t ask the owners due to the time distinction). Evidently, it was tremendous irritating and will have simply been averted.
4. What’s the rubbish disposal system like? Are there recycling or compost bins as effectively?
Each metropolis tends to have a unique rubbish, recycling, and compost disposal system, so that you all the time should ask the owners about it earlier than a home sit.
5. What kitchen home equipment do you’ve, and the way do they work?
Understanding the reply to this query lets you understand what sorts of meals you can also make throughout the home sit and permits owners to advise you of something they’d want you to not use.
6. Do you’ve a washer and/or dryer?
I all the time wish to ask this query because it informs me of whether or not I’ll want to make use of a laundromat or not. Moreover, it’s greatest to ask the owners of how they hang-dry their garments, or in the event that they use a dryer.
7. The place are the cleansing merchandise situated?
Throughout the home sit (and when the owners return), you’ll want to scrub up after your self. So, it’s all the time important to ask the owners the place they’ll discover their cleansing merchandise.
8. The place is the vacuum and/or broom situated?
Equally, you’ll additionally must know the placement of the vacuum and the broom to scrub up after your self and hold undesirable pet hairs beneath management if you happen to’re pet sitting.
9. How does the TV work? Am I allowed to make use of Netflix (or different streaming companies)?
In case you’re serious about watching TV or motion pictures on the massive display throughout your home sit, it’s greatest to ask the owners about their set-up (particularly since TVs are usually completely different in each home). You may also ask in regards to the streaming companies they’ve; if you should utilize them, and if that’s the case, what profile you should utilize.
10. Are you anticipating any deliveries once I’m right here?
Earlier than owners go away, it’s necessary to ask in the event that they’re anticipating any deliveries throughout the home sit. Understanding this can make sure that you’re prepared to simply accept the packages on their behalf.
11. Do the indoor vegetation must be watered? How usually?
A typical home sitting responsibility is watering and caring for the indoor vegetation. Consequently, it’s necessary to all the time ask which vegetation want watering and the way usually; this ensures that they keep wholesome and alive till the house owners return.
12. Do the outside vegetation or gardens must be watered and maintained? How usually?
Equally, you’ll sometimes should take care of and keep the outside vegetation and backyard as effectively, so it’s all the time important to ask the owners what it is advisable to do.
13. Does anybody carry an additional key to your home?
In case you unintentionally lock your self out of the home or lose your key throughout the home sit, you need to know who to contact in an effort to get again inside. Hopefully, this doesn’t occur, nevertheless it’s greatest to be ready.
14. Are you anticipating any guests whilst you’re away? (As an example, cleaners, or mates dropping off items, and so on.)
Much like the deliveries, realizing if the owners expect any guests ensures that you just’re able to obtain them. That is additionally necessary for realizing who to permit inside the home, as your primary job is to maintain the place protected and safe.
15. Am I allowed to ask visitors inside?
Lastly, an necessary query to ask owners previous to the home sit is if you happen to’re allowed to have any visitors. The solutions differ loads per house owner; some are okay with it, whereas others are completely towards invitations.
Questions In regards to the Metropolis and Space
Final however not least, for these questioning what to ask house house owners earlier than taking a home sitting job, it is advisable to ask questions in regards to the metropolis and the realm of the home sit. These are the six most necessary inquiries to ask owners about their neighborhood:
1. What are your favourite issues to do within the space?
The most effective components of home sitting is that you just get to expertise a vacation spot from a neighborhood perspective. By asking the owners about their favourite native points of interest, you may simply reap the benefits of this wonderful perk.
2. The place are the closest bus stops and practice stations?
In case you’re home sitting in an space with dependable public transportation, it’s important to ask in regards to the closest bus stops and practice stations. This can make sure that you understand how to get across the metropolis (and again) throughout the home sit.
3. What are your favourite close by grocery shops?
Whilst you can all the time discover close by grocery shops on Google Maps, I wish to ask the owners about their favourite close by supermarkets. Which of them have the very best choice, which of them are the costliest, and which of them are the most cost effective? It’s greatest to ask the locals these questions.
4. What are your favourite close by eating places?
Much like the query above, I wish to ask owners about their favourite close by eating places (particularly eating places that serve native delicacies).
5. What’s the best method to get to the middle of city from your home?
Lastly, our fortieth query to ask pet house owners is “How do I get round city from your home?” Understanding the reply to this query is tremendously useful in the course of the pet sit, because it ensures that you understand how to get to and from the native points of interest.
6. Will a automobile be obtainable for my use? Or, do I must lease one?
It is a essential query to ask pet house owners. If there’s any type of medical emergency with their beloved pet, you’ll need to have the ability to get to a vet ASAP. Plus, if the canines go for walks in locations aside from walkable distances from the home, having a automotive is a should. As a bonus, having a automobile on your use will will let you simply get groceries, and discover a bit additional afield.
How one can Discover Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Jobs
Now that we’ve gone over the 40 most necessary inquiries to ask earlier than pet sitting, you might be questioning the place and the way you’ll find a home sitting job within the first place.
So, that can assist you out, I’ve compiled a listing of the 5 greatest home sitting and pet sitting web sites:
1. Trusted Housesitters
At the beginning, Trusted Housesitters is the biggest home sitting platform on the web. Full of an abundance of home sitting jobs around the globe, it’s the most effective choices for brand spanking new and skilled pet sitters.
Whereas its membership payment often prices $129 per yr, Goats On The Street readers obtain 20% off utilizing promo code GOATS20. Click on right here to seek for nice sits!
The location presents a number of perks, together with a 24/7 vet hotline and a handy cellular app. Trusted Housesitters was the one website I joined once I first began pet sitting, and I had no issues discovering gigs. Evidently, if you happen to’re serious about changing into a home sitter, it’s a must to strive Trusted Housesitters.
2. Nomador
Subsequent, Nomador is likely one of the greatest home and pet sitting web sites round. Excellent for each vacationers and digital nomads, it’s crammed with home sitting alternatives worldwide.
It additionally solely prices $85 per yr, and it presents quarterly membership choices in addition to annual. So, if you happen to’re on a stricter price range, I like to recommend making an attempt Nomador.
3. MindMyHouse
Akin to each Trusted Housesitters and Nomador, MindMyHouse is a home and pet sitting web site crammed with luxurious and non-luxury home sitting jobs around the globe.
It’s additionally the most cost effective home sitting web site on this listing, and prices simply $29 per yr.
4. Home Carers
For one of many oldest home sitting platforms on the internet, it’s a must to take a look at Home Carers.
With an annual membership payment of $50 per yr and an easy-to-use interface, Home Carers is a superb web site to take a look at. Nevertheless, the job listings can sometimes be scarce, particularly in comparison with web sites like Trusted Housesitters.
5. Home Sitters America
Final however not least, Home Sitters America is the right home sitting platform if you happen to’re primarily serious about pet sitting in the US.
Its membership payment is $49 per yr. Nevertheless, you’re additionally given the choice to cost owners a payment for your home sitting companies. This makes Home Sitters America the most effective platforms to seek out paid home sitting jobs in America.
In Conclusion
Home sitting is likely one of the greatest methods to journey the world on a low price range. It’s by far my favourite method to journey, and I’ve been capable of save heaps of cash whereas visiting a ton of nations. However, earlier than you safe your first home sitting job, it’s a must to ask the proper questions.
Not solely will these questions make sure that each you and the owners are on the identical web page about expectations, duties, and what to do in emergencies, however these questions will even assist you to get a deeper understanding of how your day-to-day life will probably be like throughout the home sit. General, this can assist you to decide if you wish to take the gig or not.
So, I hope my listing of the 41 most vital inquiries to ask owners earlier than taking a home sitting job was useful! And bear in mind, you may all the time add or take away questions based mostly on the precise pet sitting job you’re making use of for.
Good luck, and glad home sitting.