What to ask a pet sitter before you book
The questions that actually predict whether it will go well, and the paperwork worth agreeing in advance.
Before you meet
Confirm the basics in writing: exact dates including arrival and departure times, what the rate covers, and what happens if your return is delayed. Late-return charges are the single most common source of friction and take one sentence to avoid.
If they are boarding your pet at their own premises, check their licence on your council's register first. It takes a minute and tells you the licence is current and what rating it carries.
At the meeting
Watch how they are with your animal before you ask anything. Most of the answer is in the first two minutes.
Then:
- How many other animals will be here during my dates? Vague answers here are a bad sign.
- What is the daily routine? You are listening for something specific and lived-in.
- What happens if my dog does not settle? Good sitters have a real answer because it happens.
- What is your emergency procedure? Which vet, who decides, who pays.
- Can I see where they will sleep? For boarding, always ask. Reluctance is informative.
The emergency question
Agree in advance who authorises veterinary treatment, up to what value, and who pays. Leave your vet's details, your policy number, and a second contact who can make a decision if you are unreachable — on a plane, in a different time zone.
Most sitters will have a form for this. If they do not, write it on a piece of paper and both keep a copy.
Price
Get the total, not the nightly rate. Ask specifically about bank holidays, additional pets, medication administration and collection or drop-off. A £45 rate with three extras attached is not a £45 rate.
It is worth knowing the local median before you start — look up your town — not to haggle, but because a quote well below the local range usually means something has been left out of it.
Last reviewed 1 August 2026.