04/21/2026
The questions worth asking before you hand over your key.
You don't need a long checklist. These five questions will tell you almost everything you need to know about whether a sitter is actually trustworthy.
1 - "What's your backup plan if you can't make it?" A good answer is specific. A vague answer is a warning sign.
2 - "How do you communicate during visits?" The best sitters send updates without being asked. If they look confused by this question, keep looking.
3 - "How long have you been doing this professionally?" Length of time isn't everything — but it tells you a lot. Someone who's been doing this for two decades has handled things a newer sitter hasn't even imagined yet.
4 - "Are you solo or part of a team?" Neither is automatically wrong. But know what you're getting, and ask the follow-up: what happens if you're unavailable?
5 - "What do you do if my pet seems unwell?" This is the one that separates the professionals from the hobbyists. You want a clear, calm, specific answer. Not a shrug.
🐾 Full guide at the link in bio — trusted pet sitting in Elk Grove since 2004.
