If you’ve never used an overnight pet sitter before, of course it can feel daunting. You’re not just booking a service – you’re trusting someone with your home and your pet’s wellbeing while you’re away. It’s a big deal!
My overnight pet sitting in Colchester can get pretty booked up so I’m not always able to help, but I’m always really happy to help people understand the sort of things they should be looking for and the kind of questions they should be asking.
So, with that in mind, I thought I’d pop this article together to get everything in one place. Hopefully it helps you make decisions that feel informed rather than rushed or pressured.
Pet sitter or pet boarder? They’re not the same thing
One of the first points of confusion is the difference between a pet sitter and a pet boarder.
A pet sitter stays in your home and cares for your pet in their usual environment. A pet boarder looks after your pet in their own home.
That distinction matters.
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (England) Regulations 2018 requires any person who operates a business of boarding dogs or cats to be licensed by the local authority. This includes those boarding other people’s animals in their own homes (and anyone providing daycare).
Overnight pet sitting in the owner’s home does not fall under the same licensing scheme, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t expect professional standards, insurance and proper procedures. If someone is boarding animals without a licence, that’s something to take seriously.
Big websites do not mean big protection!
Large online platforms can look reassuring. They’re visible (huge advertising budgets!), easy to use and often imply a level of vetting.
In reality, most of those sites are just advertising platforms, not regulators. They don’t check if people are licensed, insured or even have any qualifications (like pet first aid). It’s a bit like Airbnb, but for pets (and with even less accountability).
One of the biggest names (sounds like Dover…cough cough) offers a ‘guarantee’ but let’s be clear, that’s not insurance and it offers very little real-life protection for you, your pet or your home.
If something happens (your pet’s injured, your home’s damaged, a sitter loses your keys) the platform’s ‘guarantee’ doesn’t work like proper pet business insurance. It’s limited, it’s at their discretion and it’s designed to reimburse in exceptional cases, not really to cover everyday risks.
So, although you might assume you’re protected by finding someone through a big, trusted website, the reality is that unless your sitter, walker or boarder has their own insurance in place, you probably aren’t.
For genuine pet professionals (walkers, sitters, boarders), proper business insurance (amongst other stuff!) is absolutely non-negotiable.
If the person you’ve booked doesn’t have that in place, the platform’s ‘guarantee’ isn’t going to step in. And your pet, your home, or even the sitter themselves could be left entirely unprotected.
The tricky thing is, a lot of people who sign up to these platforms to deliver services generally mean well – they love animals and want to help. But many don’t realise that without proper cover (or licensing if they’re boarding or offering daycare), they’re putting themselves (and you) in a really vulnerable position. It’s not necessarily always bad intentions, just bad information. Though, as with anything, there are always a few horror stories about people signing up to offer services on these sites to earn a couple of extra ££ without giving a sh*t about animals…
Some excellent sitters use these platforms, but responsibility still sits with you to ask the right questions. A familiar name alone isn’t a substitute for proper due diligence.
The minimum standards you should expect
At the very least, a professional pet sitter should be able to clearly explain that they have professional insurance, pet first aid training and a DBS check.
If they are ‘processing’ your data electronically for business purposes (i.e. using a computer, smartphone, tablet etc to hold and manage your personal information) they should also be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
This matters, because anyone storing client information digitally, like addresses, phone numbers or access instructions, has a legal obligation to protect that data. Registration isn’t a badge, it’s basic legal compliance.
If someone struggles to explain any of this, or brushes it off as unnecessary, that’s worth paying attention to.
Understanding your own pet’s needs first
Before choosing a sitter, it helps to be honest about your pet.
Can they be left alone at all? If so, for how long? Do they have strict feeding or medication routines? Are there behaviours a sitter needs to manage, like reactivity, anxiety or separation issues?
This is never about judgement. It’s about safety and matching the right person to the job. A good sitter should ask you detailed questions, and you should feel comfortable answering them openly. Holding information back won’t benefit anyone in the long run.
Time away, other clients and realistic pricing
A lot of professional sitters often have other clients during the day, especially if they’re also a dog walker like me. That’s totally normal and doesn’t mean your pet is being short-changed.
What matters is clarity. If your pet cannot be left at all, or only for very short periods, that can place a significant restrictions on a sitter’s working day. In those cases, it’s reasonable to expect a higher rate than a standard overnight sit.
For transparency, with my own Colchester pet sitting service, I never leave a pet for more than four hours at a time and still spend plenty of meaningful time with them. It’s something I always chat with people about when I first meet them.
Meet and greets are for both of you
A free meet and greet is pretty standard practice.
You are under no obligation to book someone just because you’ve met them. Meeting more than one sitter is sensible, especially if you’re new to overnight care. Comparing approaches helps you find the right fit. Don’t feel like you have to go with the first person you’ve met out of obligation.
It’s also important to remember that the sitter is assessing the situation too. A professional will want to make sure they are genuinely the right person for your pet.
Extra support for nervous or anxious pets
Some pets benefit from spending time with a sitter before an overnight stay. Short visits or accompanied walks can definitely help build familiarity and reduce stress, especially if your dog or cat can be a bit anxious of new people.
That time should be discussed openly and shouldn’t be assumed to be free. It’s still professional work and it’s not unreasonable for your sitter to charge for it.
Living in someone else’s home works both ways
A professional sitter should bring their own food, respect your space, and leave your home clean and tidy.
In return, it’s reasonable for sitters to expect a clean, hygienic home and a proper bed to sleep in. This is a working arrangement based on mutual respect, not a favour.
Planning for emergencies and the unexpected
A good sitter will already have clear policies in place for situations where something goes wrong, whether that’s a pet becoming unwell or an unexpected disruption. I personally have risk assessments for my sitting work, as well as a number of policies and procedures to cover lots of scenarios.
Emergency contacts are a key part of this. I have heard of some sitters that don’t ask for an emergency contact. That’s of course fine, but just go into it with your eyes open – what would happen if something happened to the sitter and they could no longer continue the sit? If you’re unable to provide an emergency contact, make sure you and the sitter have a written agreement in place about what to do should the worst happen.
My emergency contacts serve two purposes:
One, if for some reason I can’t reach the owner and I need an immediate response, for example about medical care, then the secondary contact is someone the owner trusts to make decisions or respond in that situation.
Two, if in a worst-case scenario, I genuinely couldn’t continue the sit (say I’d been hospitalised after an accident, or the dog I’m looking for has come down with a contagious illness I can’t risk spreading to other animals in my care), then the emergency contact needs to be someone who can physically step in and take over while the owner makes arrangements to return.
Yes, of course we’re talking worst-case scenarios here which, fingers crossed, are unlikely. But it doesn’t mean they’re impossible. It’s always good practice to prepare – this protects the pet, the owner and the sitter.
Reassurance, references and communication
It is completely acceptable to ask for references, to talk through how updates will work and to explain what helps you feel comfortable while you’re away.
Some owners love frequent photos and videos. Others prefer fewer updates. Neither is wrong, as long as expectations are agreed upfront. A professional sitter won’t be offended by these conversations.
A few practical questions worth covering
Can other people the house owner knows visit the house during the sit?
Planned visits from cleaners or gardeners are usually fine if agreed in advance. Friends or family popping in, planned or unannounced, aren’t appropriate during a sit. It’s understandable to feel nervous if you’re leaving your pet at home with a sitter for the first time, but there are implications to consider if a friend of yours pops by to ‘check in’, not least with the sitter’s insurance cover, but also their privacy.
What about cameras or security systems?
External cameras and alarm systems are fine. For internal cameras, personally I ask that they’re switched off while I’m in the house and turned back on remotely when I’m out. No one wants to feel like they’re being watched when they’re in the pyjamas!
Can you ask for discounts?
Look, this is a tricky one. Personally, I don’t offer discounts. Overnight pet sitting reflects many hours of responsibility and care. When that time is considered properly, my hourly rate is modest (less than the price of a cup of coffee!). My pricing is based on experience, time and the level of care provided. Just be mindful if you choose to ask a sitter for a discount – you wouldn’t haggle in a shop, the same respect applies here.
So, what do sitters need from owners?
A good relationship of course works both ways.
Pay your sitter on time. Self-employed people don’t have the safety net of a salary. If there’s an issue with payment, honest communication matters.
Trust professional judgement. For example, if a sitter says it’s too hot to walk your dog at a certain time, it’s about safety, not convenience. Rearranging when a dog is walked in a sit to protect a dog’s welfare is usually more work for them, not less.
Developing a good relationship with your sitter will make the whole experience happier for everyone involved. And it’s ok to feel nervous, any decent sitter should understand that and communicate with you in a way that reassures you. Being open and honest with each other, without judgement, makes for an awesome ongoing professional relationship.
Final thoughts
Finding the right pet sitter isn’t about finding the cheapest option or the quickest booking. It’s about trust, transparency and matching the sitter to you and your pet’s real needs.
If you’re looking for an experienced dog or cat sitter in Colchester, or want to understand how my overnight pet sitting service works, you can read more on my sitting service page.
Even when I’m not available or the right fit, I’m always happy to help people make informed choices. If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed about it, drop me a message, I’m always happy to chat.
