Earlier than you begin accepting home sitting jobs, it’s essential that you just ask potential pet and householders the appropriate questions. This can be sure that each you and the house owners are on the identical web page about expectations, duties, day by day routines, and what to do within the case of emergencies.
Should you’re a eager traveler or digital nomad in search of a enjoyable and budget-friendly technique to discover the world, give home sitting and pet sitting a strive.
Home sitting is while you keep and take care of somebody’s residence 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 crops, cleansing the home, and sustaining the pool. Pet sitting duties additionally contain feeding, taking part in, cuddling, strolling, and bathing.
I completely love home and pet sitting; it’s allowed me to journey all world wide, from Tokyo to Brussels, Vancouver, and Edinburgh. Not solely is it an incredible technique to join with locals, expertise completely different cultures, and spend high quality time with animals, but it surely additionally saves you tons of cash on journey lodging.
On this article, I’m going to cowl the 41 most vital inquiries to ask pet house owners earlier than taking a pet sitting job.
Inquiries to Ask Concerning the Pets
First, let’s give attention to an important side of pet sitting: the animals. Right here is my checklist 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 give you a snapshot of how your pet sit is more likely to be; is the pet energetic? Lazy? Affectionate? Playful? Reserved? By discovering out, what to anticipate. Moreover, any variations of their personalities or conduct can point out doable discomfort while the house owners are away.
2. What are the pets’ day by day routines like?
This is likely one of the most vital inquiries to ask pet house owners, because it offers you the very best concept of what your day-to-day life would appear like in the course of the pet sit. It’s additionally vital 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 in relation to one thing as vital to them as meals. Evidently, that is an important query to ask.
4. Do the pets get any treats? How usually?
In my expertise, the reply to this query at all times 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 crucial 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?
Some of the anticipated and important elements of a canine’s day is their walks. So, it’s vital to examine what number of walks they go on and the way lengthy their walks are, with a purpose to be sure that the canines get sufficient train.
6. For canines: What are your typical strolling routes?
Since animals love regularity, understanding their typical strolling routes is vital for them to really feel comfy on their day by day walks. Nevertheless, some canines additionally want some variability; you possibly can at all times double-check what the canines desire by asking the house owners.
7. For cats: Are they allowed open air?
That is unquestionably one of the vital inquiries to ask cat house owners. You must solely let the cat go outdoors in the event that they’re allowed to; if not, you possibly can 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 packing containers. In my expertise, each cat proprietor does it otherwise, from having their cats do their enterprise within the backyard to altering the cat litter day by 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 will begin creating undesirable and damaging behaviors. So, it’s at all times vital to ask pet house owners how a lot playtime their pets want in a day.
10. Will I have to groom, brush, or bathe the pets? How usually?
To be able to take excellent care of the pets, you want to groom, brush, or bathe them. Nevertheless, the quantity of grooming wanted differs per breed and per particular person, so it’s at all times 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 significant for figuring out if the pet sit is best for you (i.e., when you’re comfy with caring for a pet with sure medical issues), and for the pet sit itself. In different phrases, understanding the medical points that the pets have lets you higher put together for issues which will come up.
12. Do the pets take any drugs?
Just like the final query, previous to a pet sit, you need to at all times concentrate on whether or not you want 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 handle?
No matter how wholesome the pets are, emergencies can come up. In these conditions, it’s important that the place the closest vet is, and their telephone quantity. Fortunately, I’ve by no means needed to convey a pet to the vet, but it surely’s at all times vital to know this data, simply in case.
14. Are the pets allowed on the furnishings?
One other probably the greatest inquiries to ask when home sitting is that if the pets are allowed on the furnishings. Realizing this may be sure that neither you nor the pets will get into hassle when the householders return.
15. Are there any areas in the home that the pets are usually not allowed to go to?
Just like the final query, asking this may be sure that the animal-free zones of the home are stored that means; 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 enable their canines on their beds, some hold their pets particularly areas in a single day.
17. Do the pets get alongside nicely with different animals?
Asking this query is very vital when canine sitting, as you’ll continuously encounter different canines in your walks. So, if that the canines don’t get alongside nicely with different animals, you possibly can forestall difficult encounters by transferring to the opposite facet of the street.
18. Do the pets get alongside nicely with different people?
In an identical vein, if that the canines don’t get alongside nicely with different folks, you possibly can be 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?
Should you’re hoping to sight-see throughout your own home sit, then this is likely one of the most vital inquiries to ask pet house owners. By understanding what number of hours the pets may be left alone, you possibly can plan your outings accordingly.
20. Is there the rest that I ought to learn about your pets?
Lastly, the final vital query to ask the pet house owners is that if there’s the rest that you want to know. This could embrace any quirks of the pets, actions they like doing, or pals they’ve within the neighborhood.
Inquiries to Ask Concerning the Home
Now that we’ve gone over what to ask pet house owners earlier than taking a pet sitting job, let’s give attention to the house. These are the 15 most vital house-related inquiries to ask earlier than home sitting:
1. Do I would like a safety code to enter and exit your property? How does it work?
Earlier than beginning your own home sit, one of the vital issues to know is that if there’s a safety code wanted to enter or exit the house. This can be sure that you don’t set off the alarm unintentionally and that you just go away the home protected and safe while you’re out.
2. Are there any safety cameras that I ought to concentrate on?
This can be a query that I continuously neglect to ask householders, although it’s tremendous vital. 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 important to ask earlier than the householders go away is what the Wifi password is. And don’t neglect to ask in regards to the modem as nicely; I as soon as spent over an hour in search of it on a home sit (and I couldn’t ask the householders 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 nicely?
Each metropolis tends to have a distinct rubbish, recycling, and compost disposal system, so that you at all times need to ask the householders about it earlier than a home sit.
5. What kitchen home equipment do you have got, and the way do they work?
Realizing the reply to this query lets what sorts of meals you can also make throughout the home sit and permits householders to advise you of something they’d desire you to not use.
6. Do you have got a washer and/or dryer?
I at all times 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 householders 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 householders return), you’ll want to wash up after your self. So, it’s at all times important to ask the householders the place they will discover their cleansing merchandise.
8. The place is the vacuum and/or broom situated?
Equally, you’ll additionally have to know the situation of the vacuum and the broom to wash up after your self and hold undesirable pet hairs below management when you’re pet sitting.
9. How does the TV work? Am I allowed to make use of Netflix (or different streaming companies)?
Should you’re concerned with watching TV or films on the massive display throughout your own home sit, it’s greatest to ask the householders about their set-up (particularly since TVs are usually completely different in each home). It’s also possible to 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 after I’m right here?
Earlier than householders go away, it’s vital to ask in the event that they’re anticipating any deliveries throughout the home sit. Realizing this may be sure that you’re prepared to simply accept the packages on their behalf.
11. Do the indoor crops should be watered? How usually?
A typical home sitting responsibility is watering and caring for the indoor crops. Consequently, it’s vital to at all times ask which crops want watering and the way usually; this ensures that they keep wholesome and alive till the house owners return.
12. Do the out of doors crops or gardens should be watered and maintained? How usually?
Equally, you’ll often need to take care of and keep the out of doors crops and backyard as nicely, so it’s at all times important to ask the householders what you want to do.
13. Does anybody carry an additional key to your own home?
Should you unintentionally lock your self out of the home or lose your key throughout the home sit, you need to know who to contact with a purpose to get again inside. Hopefully, this doesn’t occur, but it surely’s greatest to be ready.
14. Are you anticipating any guests whilst you’re away? (As an illustration, cleaners, or pals dropping off presents, and so on.)
Just like the deliveries, understanding if the householders expect any guests ensures that you just’re able to obtain them. That is additionally vital for understanding who to permit inside the home, as your primary job is to maintain the place protected and safe.
15. Am I allowed to ask company inside?
Lastly, an vital query to ask householders previous to the home sit is when you’re allowed to have any company. The solutions differ so much per home-owner; some are okay with it, whereas others are completely in opposition to invitations.
Questions Concerning the Metropolis and Space
Final however not least, for these questioning what to ask residence house owners earlier than taking a home sitting job, you want to ask questions in regards to the metropolis and the world of the home sit. These are the six most vital inquiries to ask householders about their neighborhood:
1. What are your favourite issues to do within the space?
Among the finest elements of home sitting is that you just get to expertise a vacation spot from a neighborhood perspective. By asking the householders about their favourite native points of interest, you possibly can simply make the most of this superb perk.
2. The place are the closest bus stops and prepare stations?
Should you’re home sitting in an space with dependable public transportation, it’s important to ask in regards to the closest bus stops and prepare stations. This can be sure that you know the way to get across the metropolis (and again) throughout the home sit.
3. What are your favourite close by grocery shops?
When you can at all times discover close by grocery shops on Google Maps, I wish to ask the householders about their favourite close by supermarkets. Which of them have the very best choice, which of them are the most costly, and which of them are the most affordable? It’s greatest to ask the locals these questions.
4. What are your favourite close by eating places?
Just like the query above, I wish to ask householders about their favourite close by eating places (particularly eating places that serve native delicacies).
5. What’s the simplest technique to get to the middle of city from your own home?
Lastly, our fortieth query to ask pet house owners is “How do I get round city from your own home?” Realizing the reply to this query is tremendously useful in the course of the pet sit, because it ensures that you know the way to get to and from the native points of interest.
6. Will a automobile be obtainable for my use? Or, do I have to lease one?
This can be a crucial 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 apart from walkable distances from the home, having a automobile is a should. As a bonus, having a automobile to your use will assist you to simply get groceries, and discover a bit additional afield.
Find out how to Discover Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Jobs
Now that we’ve gone over the 40 most vital inquiries to ask earlier than pet sitting, chances are you’ll be questioning the place and the way you could 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. Crammed with an abundance of home sitting jobs world wide, it’s probably the greatest choices for brand new and skilled pet sitters.
Whereas its membership price 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 gives quite a lot of perks, together with a 24/7 vet hotline and a handy cellular app. Trusted Housesitters was the one web site I joined after I first began pet sitting, and I had no issues discovering gigs. Evidently, when you’re concerned with turning into a home sitter, it’s important to strive Trusted Housesitters.
2. Nomador
Subsequent, Nomador is likely one of the greatest home and pet sitting web sites round. Good for each vacationers and digital nomads, it’s crammed with home sitting alternatives worldwide.
It additionally solely prices $85 per yr, and it gives quarterly membership choices in addition to annual. So, when you’re on a stricter funds, 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 world wide.
It’s additionally the most affordable home sitting web site on this checklist, and prices simply $29 per yr.
4. Home Carers
For one of many oldest home sitting platforms on the internet, it’s important to try Home Carers.
With an annual membership price 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 often be scarce, particularly in comparison with web sites like Trusted Housesitters.
5. Home Sitters America
Final however not least, Home Sitters America is the proper home sitting platform when you’re primarily concerned with pet sitting in the US.
Its membership price is $49 per yr. Nevertheless, you’re additionally given the choice to cost householders a price for your own home sitting companies. This makes Home Sitters America probably the greatest 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 funds. It’s by far my favourite technique to journey, and I’ve been in a position to save heaps of cash whereas visiting a ton of nations. However, earlier than you safe your first home sitting job, it’s important to ask the appropriate questions.
Not solely will these questions be sure that each you and the householders are on the identical web page about expectations, duties, and what to do in emergencies, however these questions will even enable you to get a deeper understanding of how your day-to-day life might be like throughout the home sit. Total, this may enable you to decide if you wish to take the gig or not.
So, I hope my checklist of the 41 most vital inquiries to ask householders earlier than taking a home sitting job was useful! And keep in mind, you possibly can at all times add or take away questions based mostly on the precise pet sitting job you’re making use of for.
Good luck, and comfortable home sitting.
