Check a pet sitter by meeting them at your home, asking specific questions about experience, routine, updates and emergencies, calling at least one reference and agreeing everything in writing. A good sitter asks you as many questions as you ask them. PetHome Israel interviews sitters, checks references and arranges a meet-and-greet before every first booking.
Questions to ask
- What animals have you cared for, and for how long?
- Have you cared for a pet like mine: senior, puppy, reactive, on medication?
- How long is each visit, and what happens during it?
- How will you send updates? Photos and video after every visit?
- What do you do during a siren?
- Do you walk dogs off-leash? (The answer should be no.)
- Who replaces you if you are sick?
- How do you store keys?
At the meet-and-greet
Watch how the sitter approaches your pet: calmly, patiently, letting the animal come to them. Show the routine, the supplies and the safe room. For boarding, see the sitter's home or ask for photos.
Red flags
- No questions about your pet's health or behaviour.
- Vague answers about how many animals they care for at once.
- Refusing to meet before the booking.
- Pressure to pay everything in cash with no written agreement.
- Prices far below the market, often meaning short visits and no reports.
Agree in writing
Dates, times, number of visits, price, extras, keys, vet and spending limit, what happens if plans change.
A trial booking
Before a long trip, book a single visit or a daycare day (from 180 ₪). It shows how your pet reacts and how the sitter reports.
Fake reviews
Be careful with sitters whose online profiles show dozens of identical five-star reviews and no details. We do not publish invented reviews or ratings, and we suggest you rely on a real meet-and-greet and a conversation with a reference rather than on star counts alone.