Nobody gets a rulebook for house sitting.
Arrival and Handover Best Practices
The handover sets the tone for the whole thing. Arrive on time, or better yet, a few minutes early. Homeowners are often dealing with last-minute packing, pet worries, and trying to remember all the things they forgot to tell you. Punctuality shows you care.
Bring a little notebook or use your phone to keep notes during the walkthrough. Ask about appliance quirks, alarm codes, bin days and anything that's not obvious. Every house has its weird stuff - like the toilet handle you have to wiggle, the back door that's stuck, or the light switch that controls nothing at all.
Spend time with the pets while the owners are around. Let them see you play, ask about each animal's personality, and get to know their energy. It's not just about collecting info, it's about making the owners feel like their pets are safe and happy with you around.
If the stay is longer than a few days, try to overlap for a bit. A rushed handover when the owners are running to catch a flight is not ideal. On Global Pet Sitter, you can message ahead to coordinate times that work for both of you.
Daily Routines and Respecting the Home
Pets like routine, which is why their home is safe and familiar. Do the feeding times, walks, and bedtime like the owners say, even if you'd rather take a nap.
Treat the house like you're borrowing a friend's car. You'd return it with a full tank and no weird stains. So, use coasters, wipe down after cooking, and take out your dishes. Small things matter.
Check your energy usage. Don't crank the thermostat or leave every light on. If you're not sure about the settings, ask during the handover. Some people have specific preferences, especially with smart home setups.
Respect private spaces where they are clearly private. If they haven't mentioned a room, don't use it. Stay in the areas you've been shown and the bedroom they've picked for you.
Communication Frequency and Update Style
Send more updates than you think you need to. Homeowners are away from their pets and their home. A picture of their dog sleeping on the couch or their cat sitting on your laptop is worth more than any written update.
Aim for at least one update per day, ideally with some pictures. No long texts, just a few lines and a couple of pics. Like: "Luna had a great walk today and is now supervising me from the windowsill" with a photo attached. Owners love that.
Ask early on what kind of updates they prefer. Some want a photo dump every evening, others just want to know nothing's on fire.
If something goes wrong, even something minor, tell the owner right away. A broken mug is way more forgivable when you report it quickly than when they find it 3 weeks later. It builds trust, and trust is what gets you 5-star reviews on Global Pet Sitter.
On Global Pet Sitter, reviews go both ways. Both sides leave reviews independently, and you can't see each other's until both are posted or 14 days pass. That keeps things honest, and your good communication will come through clearly.
Cleaning and Leaving the Home
Leave the place cleaner than you found it. That's the main reason you get great reviews and get invited back. Just make a real effort to leave no sign of your stay.
On your last day, do a thorough walkthrough:
- Kitchen: Clean all surfaces, empty the dishwasher, take out the trash
- Bathroom: Wipe down the shower, clean the toilet, replace any towels you used
- Bedroom: Strip the bed and either wash the sheets or leave them folded neatly
- Living areas: Vacuum or sweep, fluff cushions, tidy up
- General: Make sure all windows are closed, lights are off, and everything is where it belongs
Put things back where they were. If you moved furniture, move it back. If you rearranged the fridge to fit your groceries, restore the original layout. The goal is that the homeowner walks in and feels like the house has been cared for, not just occupied.
Don't leave food unless the owners say it's okay. Take everything you brought with you, and check every room you were in.
Guest Policies and Personal Boundaries
Unless the homeowner says guests are welcome, you assume they're not. It's their private home, not a hotel. Inviting strangers into their space without permission is pretty much the fastest way to mess that relationship up.
You can have a friend visit or a partner stay over, but ask first. Tell them who, when, and how long. Homeowners are usually reasonable, especially for longer stays, but they need to decide.
Don't have parties. No loud gatherings. You can't invite people over to use the pool or garden. It sounds obvious, but it happens a lot. And it will definitely get you a trash review.
Respect the neighbors too. Say hi when you get a chance, they're often the ones the homeowner asks about things. Being friendly and respectful to the neighborhood helps you and the platform.
What NOT to Do
Some of these sound obvious, but they come up more often than you'd think.
Don't snoop. If you need something, just ask. Going through drawers and closets is a fast way to lose trust.
Don't rearrange anything. You might think you're being helpful by reorganizing the kitchen cupboards or tidying the garage. You're not. People have their systems, and 'improving' them without being asked is intrusive.
Don't use personal items. Bring your own soap, toothbrush, shampoo, and towels. The owners' stuff is not up for grabs unless they've specifically offered it.
Don't post the home on social media with identifiable details. It's fine to post a pic of you with the pets. No pictures of the address, security system, or inside of the house. Ask before posting anything.
Don't neglect the pets for your own schedule. You're there for the pets first. Plan your days around them, not the other way around. It's hard to be a pet sitter and a tourist at the same time.