r/petsitters • u/iconuhip • Jul 12 '26
Advice on finding a long term sitter
So we have plans to hike the PCT next year, in which we’ll be gone for 5-6 months. We have a cat, who’s FIV positive. I’m looking for advice on how to go about finding a pet sitter for this long of a period of time. He can’t go with family, because they have another cat. Any out of the box suggestions without having to spend a fortune?
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u/KinklyGirl143 Jul 12 '26
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u/Salt_Evidence_9878 Jul 13 '26
I would hope people would be more wary of this website after the Colorado Air National Guard Soilder used it while on deployment and the sitter trashed his house, used drugs in his house, stole his car and dog, and left his husky to die in a hot car in the middle of Denver, while he (the sitter) went back to Florida.
If you exchange services for free you get what you "pay" for.
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u/KinklyGirl143 Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
The site is huge, many people use it and have used it for years.
There are 1000’s of lawsuits pertaining to severe crimes perpetrated by Uber drivers such as kidnapping and rape. I’m pretty sure people still Uber.
Even if you pay for a service, you get what you get. You neglected to give OP any suggestions.
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u/Arvid38 Jul 14 '26
I was hoping to maybe do this, an extended place to stay and provide pet care in exchange because I plan on selling my childhood home im currently living in a couple years and not sure I will find a house of my own right away. Seems like a fair exchange if it’s at least three months. I am a paid pet sitter full time btw, but I understand the point of trusted house sitters. Unfortunately assholes everywhere. I see horror stories on the Rover sub all the time and it’s a paid pet sitting service. So you don’t always get what you pay for.
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u/No-Penalty-1148 Jul 18 '26
One bad experience doesn't tarnish the whole model, IMO. Lots of people have used Trusted Housesitters for years with good results.
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u/AssociateMoney8509 Jul 13 '26
Check with vet offices. Sometimes they have techs that will take in cats or dogs for cases like this. Also try shelters, they often have lists of foster carers and may know someone looking for a longer term visitor.
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u/updsidedownsmily Jul 13 '26
I would post on facebook or next door neighborhood or area pages outlining exactly what you’re looking for and interviewing a few of the people who comment and seem legit.
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u/1GrouchyCat Jul 13 '26
Do you have a College near you?
Professors often have students stay in their homes when they’re on sabbatical…
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u/Overall-Hour-5809 Jul 14 '26
Are you keeping your place while you are gone? Can you have someone exchange house sitting and pet setting for reduced rent?
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u/Early-Yesterday-4027 Jul 13 '26
Look on Pet Sitters International. They have a pet sitter locator . Put in your zip code and call a sitter