10/04/2026
YOU DID THE SIT. WHERES THE REFERENCE?
On a platform, references are prompted automatically. Off-platform — and a lot of sits in this community happen that way — there's no reminder, no deadline, and no prompt. It just quietly doesn't happen.
Here's how to make sure it does — for everyone involved.
The one-week rule. The sweet spot for references is about a week after the sit ends. The moment the sit is mutually confirmed, pop a reminder in your calendar — one week after the end date. That's it. You'll never have to remember to remember.
The secret weapon. When you send that reference request, attach a few photos of the pets you took during the sit — candid ones the owner hasn't seen. They open the email, see their fur babies happy and loved, and writing a warm reference becomes the easiest thing in the world. It's not manipulation — it's just a reminder of what actually happened.
Sitters — ask specifically, not vaguely. Suggest exactly where you'd like the reference left and give the owner a nudge on what to cover. "Even a few words about the pets and how you found the house would mean a lot." The easier you make it, the more likely it gets done.
Sitters — review your owner too. Did the home match the listing? Was the briefing thorough? Were they easy to reach mid-sit? Your honest experience helps other sitters make informed decisions, and it's a professional courtesy that sets the good operators apart.
Owners — a useful reference covers three things. How the sitter communicated, how they cared for your pets and home, and whether you'd have them back. Three honest sentences on those points is genuinely valuable — especially for sitters operating off-platform who have no star rating to show for their work.
Do you have a system for this — or has a reference slipped through the cracks? Tell us below. 👇
