Part 5 of our Traveling Pet Sitter Series.
Pick Me! Pick Me!
You just received your first reply from a host!
In our blog post, "Why So Serious", we discussed an application template and how to craft your application to meet the host's requirements and expectations. In our last post, “I See You”, we talked about how to look for and find pet sits. Now it's time to talk about what comes next.
Once you apply to a pet sit, the host will review potential sitters. If they are interested in you as a sitter, they will reply back. In most cases, they may ask for more information from you and may want to speak with you directly, either through a phone call or they may want a video call. You may also request to speak with them. I highly encourage at least a phone call. Talking and more importantly, a video call (Zoom, Facetime) is valuable. Both parties can get a sense of who they will be interacting with. You may also get a chance to see the pet(s) and also the home. Of over the 50 pet sits we have done, the majority of the time the host would like to speak and/or see us in a video call. It has happened where the host has accepted us from just reading our application letter and we have only communicated either through the TrustedHousesitters website or via text/email. I don’t find this ideal and will suggest a call. A call is your opportunity to ask any questions and to sell yourself as the perfect sitter for their pet(s) and home.
An extra step that we do is provide a list of our expectations of the host and what the host can expect from us. You can read it on our website here. I will ask the host if they have read the expectations and are agreeable to them. We find that it is good to state expectations up front so each party knows what is expected of them.
For Your Information…
Congratulations! The host thought you were perfect and sent you an invite to the pet sit. Once you accept the sit, you now have the responsibility to care for their pet(s) and home. Every host is different. You may have ongoing communication with the host right up until the pet sit, depending on how far out the pet sit is in the future and also the location. We do not pet sit locally but many sitters do. If it’s a local pet sit, maybe they would like to meet with you in person. I like to keep in touch with my hosts and at the very least touch base with them a week or two before the arrival date.
The Welcome Guide. TrustedHousesitters provides the host a template for a Welcome Guide. This guide is your pet sitting “bible”. The Guide should have all contact information including vet information. We insist on having the vet information in case of an emergency and the host should have an account set up with their vet for payment. The Guide should also include all details pertaining to the house (how kitchen appliances work,location of the water shut off valve. etc) as well as feeding instructions and the routine for the pet(s). It can also include information on the neighborhood, restaurants, hiking trails and so on. You should receive the Welcome Guide prior to the pet sit so you can read it over and clarify or ask questions about anything you are unsure of or was not referenced previously.
At Last We Meet
Now your pet sit is here! As traveling pet sitters, and depending on whether we are driving to a sit or using public transportation, arrival day and time is very important. This is where every host is different in their approach about you arriving at their home. We have had hosts ask us to come the day/night before the official arrival date. This way they can meet us and get to know the person/people that will be caring for their pet(s) and home. It is also a time for the sitter to meet the pet(s) while the hosts are there. The host can go over feedings and routines and also any other responsibilities (watering plants, mail, etc). They may invite you to spend the night. Our rule is if they want to meet with us prior to the sit, it should be agreed on in advance and since we are traveling, the expectation is we will be staying at the house with them and not incurring the cost of a hotel/campground etc. It is totally your decision on how you would like to handle these situations.
Some hosts may want to meet with you on your arrival day before they depart. It is not unusual to not meet the hosts at all! Personally, we do like to meet the hosts in person but sometimes the schedule doesn’t work out or the hosts are comfortable leaving a key or passcode for the front door. We have learned to be comfortable with this arrangement but do suggest a “meet and greet” if there is a dog(s) involved.
These are the situations we have come across. How you handle the “handover” of the pet(s) and home from the host should be mutually agreed on by both parties and all details should be communicated prior to your arrival date.
Introverts in Europe
When we first started pet sitting, we spent a year in Europe. Almost all of our European hosts asked us to come the day before to meet with them and stay overnight. Being the introverts we are, meeting strangers and staying in their home with them was an uncomfortable thought. By the end of that year, we had new friends and great stories! The hosts were so gracious, either taking us out to dinner or cooking dinner, sharing drinks and conversation. We loved it! Now it doesn’t happen as often but when it does, we look forward to the interaction. We have been lucky to meet some wonderful people who have taken to us like family and we have become very good friends.
Being traveling pet sitters has been life altering for us! We have been to places we only dreamed of or never heard of before. We have fallen in love with so many dogs and cats. We have made great friends and lived as locals in some many exciting locations.
Next up in our traveling pet sitter series: How to get that coveted 5 star review! Taking care of the pet(s) and home.
So For Now…
We have so much more to talk about! Please follow us to learn more about our adventures, how we do what we do and many money saving tips. Is there a subject you would like to cover? Leave us a comment!
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