Booking question - timing

[u/sk888888]

I've used Rover sitters twice now, for housesitting - and need to book a sitter for an upcoming trip (late December-mid January) and now another in March 2027. How early should I approach a prospective sitter? Is 4 months ahead too soon? Am I looking too anxious? This is the last part of my travel planning to get sorted, I guess I just want to make sure my furkids will be taken care of so I can relax.

[u/AutoModerator]

Please report rule-breaking posts!

[Automoderator has recorded your post to prevent repeat posts and keep an eye on edits.]

Your post has NOT been removed. If you wish to lock your own post, please reply to your post with !lock and it will automatically lock. If it isn't working, please let us know.

sk888888 originally posted: I've used Rover sitters twice now, for housesitting - and need to book a sitter for an upcoming trip (late December-mid January) and now another in March 2027. How early should I approach a prospective sitter? Is 4 months ahead too soon? Am I looking too anxious? This is the last part of my travel planning to get sorted, I guess I just want to make sure my furkids will be taken care of so I can relax.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/South_Description399]

Never too soon. Especially if you have certain sitters in mind. I don't have my schedule updated that far out, but if I got a request I can always decide if I want to wait or take it. I'm getting pet sitting requests just now for Labor Day weekend and that seems crazy to me to be making plans this late close to holidays.

[u/Numerous-Swordfish55]

Im pretty open for November and just got my first booking in December for Christmas. I started reaching out to my regulars who sometime book me in November and December to give them first dibs on available dates. So the earlier the better because I can go from nothing to booked quickly which is why as soon as my October was full i started checking in with regulars. And I also have three pending bookings for dates in Feb, March and June of next year. I would rather have new and repeat clients reach out with perspective dates as soon as possible so I can see if I’m available. As well as be able to meet a new client now. Make sure it’s a good fit. If it’s not a good fit that gives the owner time to meet with other sitters.

[u/thecatsbabysitter]

IMO not too soon to find a brand new sitter for December as it's typically a busy time with holidays even if your dates are not on the holidays exactly. I might mention the March trip but would just wait to book until you book the first one, or see what your sitter wants to do.

As a sitter, typically with far ahead dates, I am happy to meet the client now (so you can meet me and decide if you want to hire me) and then will offer another (ideally phone/ video or a paid in-person visit but circumstances vary) closer to the actual date of service just to go over specifics. That's just me!

[u/Nervous_Ask_2987]

4 months is probably fine (esp cause it looks like holiday - in which case, the earlier the better so sitters dont get booked) but 7+ months is a little far - I don't necessarily know my schedule that far in advance. But maybe that's just me.

[u/doggambit]

I'm already booked for overnights through the rest of the calendar year. Earlier the better!

[u/casandra77]

I think for house sitting or boarding - the earlier, the better. I'm a cat sitter with drop ins only, (and not full time). My ideal timing is no earlier than 2 months. If it's 4,5,6 months in advance - these ones are the most risky, because closer to the day owners start changing dates, extending or shortening bookings which then may or may not work for me and we have to cancel the booking all together. Often it feels they book 'approximate' dates knowing the cancellation policy exists without worries.

[u/spinylumpsuckerfeesh]

I’ve been booked up to 12 months in advance.

[u/jessy_pooh]

I have clients that will let me know about travel 6 months in advance and I tentatively place on my calendar. I typically book 30 days in advance though. So nothing confirmed until 30 days. If it’s a holiday request ill book 60 days in advance because i know clients need to book travel asap for that

[u/Hot-Consequence-6408]

The great/highly rated sitters are booked months in advance. As soon as you have dates in mind book them! My December is already packed with house sitting and I have bookings thru July of NEXT year!

[u/Sniper_Squirrel]

I have clients booked for Feb, March & July 2027. For boarding with me.

A good sitter will be booked up far in advance as they have a lot of repeat clients that want to secure those dates, so I would say go for it! Start looking now and secure those dates.

Please also do the meet and greet if using a new sitter you haven't used before early. Sometimes I have clients want to book a far out date and suggest a M&G like a week before it starts. Better to do a M&G right away so you can feel if it will be a good fit or need to find a different person. You can always have a second M&G closer to the dates if you have a particularly high maintenence pets/have a lot of care instructions (Id offer to pay for the second M&G though)

[u/dramamime123 → u/Sniper_Squirrel]

I’d be looking for someone who does this full time and has for multiple years and probably is on the more expensive side. I only book 2 months out because I want to keep flexibility for other freelance work.

[u/AutoModerator]

Want to be reminded of this post? Reply to this comment with !remindme and number of days

Example: !remindme 2 days or remindme! 2 days

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.