How to Vet a Pet Sitter Before You Hand Over Your House Key

You wouldn't hand your house key to a stranger on the street. But every day, pet parents do something very close to that — booking a sitter through an app or a neighbor recommendation with almost no real vetting. Here's the checklist that changes that.

Why this matters more than people realize

Hiring a pet sitter involves three things most people don't think about together: the safety of your pet, the security of your home, and the liability for anything that goes wrong. When you invite someone into your home to care for your animals, you are extending an enormous amount of trust. Most pet parents extend that trust based on a profile photo, a few reviews, and a friendly text exchange.

That's not vetting. That's hoping.

Real vetting takes about twenty minutes and a few direct questions. It can be the difference between a pet care experience that gives you genuine peace of mind and one that leaves you checking your phone anxiously every few hours.

The questions to ask — and what the answers should tell you

1. Are you insured and bonded?

This is the first and most important question. Professional pet sitters carry commercial liability insurance and bonding. Insurance protects you if something happens to your pet or your home during a visit — a broken window, an injured animal, an accident. Bonding provides additional protection in the event of theft.

An uninsured sitter is not a professional. They are a person who likes animals and wants to make some money. There is nothing wrong with liking animals, but it does not protect you if something goes wrong. Always ask for proof of insurance, not just a verbal confirmation.

2. Have your employees passed background checks?

If you're hiring through a platform like Rover or Wag, a basic background check is included — but the standard varies and is handled by the platform, not a professional employer. If you're hiring a local company, ask directly: do you conduct national background checks on all staff? What service do you use?

At Funky Bunch Pet Care, every team member passes an Acutraq national background check before their first visit. That's not a courtesy — it's a baseline requirement.

3. What training and certifications do your sitters hold?

At minimum, look for Pet First Aid and CPR certification. This is the difference between a sitter who freezes in an emergency and one who knows exactly what to do. Beyond that, Fear Free certification is the gold standard — it indicates training specifically focused on reducing animal stress and recognizing signs of anxiety and discomfort during care.

Funky Bunch Pet Care is the only Fear Free certified team in both Springfield and Sedalia. That distinction matters because it reflects a specific, credentialed commitment to your pet's emotional wellbeing — not just their physical safety.

4. Are you a solo operator or do you have a team? What happens if you get sick?

This question reveals the most significant structural difference between types of pet care providers. A solo sitter — whether through an app or independently — has no backup. If they get sick, have a family emergency, or cancel for any reason, your pet goes without care unless you scramble to find an alternative.

A team-based company has built-in redundancy. When one team member can't make it, another steps in. You never find out about the gap because it gets filled before it becomes a problem. After 13 years of operation, this is one of the things Funky Bunch clients tell us they value most — the certainty that care will happen, regardless of the day.

5. What will you send me after each visit?

In 2025, there is no reason for a pet parent to wonder what happened during a visit. Professional pet care companies use dedicated software to send real-time updates — check-in and check-out notifications, a written visit report, and photos from every single visit.

If a sitter's answer to this question is 'I usually send a text' or 'I'll reach out if anything comes up,' that is not the standard you want. Ask specifically: will I get a photo and written update after every visit, every time?

6. Can I see your service agreement?

A professional pet care company operates with a written service agreement that covers cancellation policies, liability, emergency protocols, and expectations on both sides. If a sitter has never heard of a service agreement, or offers a handshake arrangement, that's a signal about how seriously they take the professional side of what they do.

7. Do you offer a meet and greet before services begin?

This one is both practical and revealing. A meet and greet allows your pet to become familiar with their sitter before the first solo visit — which matters enormously for anxious animals. It also gives you a chance to observe how the sitter interacts with your pet, communicates with you, and engages with your home.

Any professional company will offer a complimentary initial meet and greet. It's how we build the foundation for real trust — both yours and your pet's.

The short version

If you're evaluating a pet sitter — from any source — run through this list before you hand over a key:

• Insured and bonded? (Get proof)

• Background checked employees?

• Pet First Aid and CPR certified? Fear Free certified?

• Team-based with backup coverage, or solo?

• Written report and photos after every visit?

• Service agreement in place?

• Free meet and greet offered?

Funky Bunch Pet Care checks every single item on this list. That's not a coincidence — it's what 13 years of professional pet care looks like in practice.

Ready to work with a team that passes every question on this list? Book your meet and greet in Springfield or Sedalia today.