The short answer
Ask people who have pets like yours, ask what kind of care the sitter did for them, and keep the answers somewhere you can find them again.
- Neighbors with pets
- Friends and family
- Your babysitter
- Your pet's regular places
Your pet can't tell you how the visit went. That's why a recommendation from someone who has already trusted a sitter with their own dog or cat is worth so much.
Here's who to ask, what to ask them, and how to keep the answers.
Who to ask
- Neighbors with pets
- The people you pass on the morning walk. A sitter who already walks the block knows the route, and the dogs on it.
- Friends and family
- Especially the ones with a pet like yours. A sitter who's great with a calm older cat may not be the one for a young dog who pulls.
- Your babysitter
- Many sitters care for kids and pets, and some already know yours. Ask them directly, or ask who they'd recommend.
- Your pet's regular places
- Staff at the vet, the groomer, daycare, or a training class often know who's good with animals nearby.
What to ask the person recommending them
- 1
What did they do for you?
Walks, drop-in visits, staying at your home, or boarding at theirs are different jobs. A great walker isn't automatically the right overnight sitter.
- 2
What's your pet like?
Size, age, energy, medications, and any fears or quirks. Ask whether the sitter has handled a pet like yours.
- 3
How long, and how often?
One weekend two years ago tells you less than every Tuesday for a year.
- 4
Did you hear from them?
Photos, a note after a walk, a heads-up when something was off. The updates you'd want are the updates they sent.
- 5
Would you book them again?
The simplest question, and the one that says the most. If the answer comes with a pause, ask about it.
Keep the answer
Most recommendations arrive in a text thread and get lost there. Write down the sitter's name, who recommended them, what they did for that family, and how to reach them, so the next trip doesn't start from zero.
When you're ready to check someone out, our guide to how to find a pet sitter you trust walks through the meet-and-greet, the questions to ask, and the details to leave.
How REC'D BY helps
How REC'D BY helps
See the sitters your friends already recommend, free: who recommended each one, in their own words, and the care each sitter offers, from babysitting to walks, drop-ins, pet sitting, and boarding. Save the ones you like, and send a request with a membership when you need care.
Sitters
Emma Rodriguez★5.0
REC'D BY Nadia W. and 2 others
$18–$45/hr · ~4 mi · most days
“Kyle adores her. Always on time and sends the sweetest updates.”
Olivia Bennett★4.3
REC'D BY Sarah C. and 4 others
$18–$20/hr · ~1 mi · weekdays
“Our go-to for weekday afternoons. Super communicative.”
- 1Yours, and rec'd for you Your sitters, plus the ones friends suggest.
- 2Who recommended them Friends you know by name, and the stars families gave.
- 3In your friends' words Why they'd book them again.
- 4Save the ones you like Heart a sitter to keep them close.
Questions
Can the same sitter watch my kids and my pets?+
Often, yes. Many sitters do both. Ask whether they're comfortable with your pet specifically, and whether the job is kids with a pet around or pet care on its own.
Is a recommendation better than online reviews?+
It's different. A recommendation comes with a person you can ask a follow-up question, and who knows your standards. Use both, and your own judgment.
Start with the sitters your friends already trust
See the sitters your friends recommend — free to join.
Get REC'D BY