Having a house sitter/pet sitter

[Stompythedinosaur]

We're having a sitter stay in our house and care for our pets for the first time when we're away this summer.

Has anyone done this before, and if so, what did you leave/prep before you went? I've already thought about leaving some groceries and writing down details for emergencies (like vets, fuse boxes, where to turn the water off etc).

Any other thoughts about how I can be welcoming and make sure she has what she needs?

If you do it through a site like Trusted House Sitters then they ask you to complete a guide to your house and pet which you can print off or the sitter can download. If you are going it alone it still might be worth looking at the site and using the guide as a template. We have used THS several times but never go into as much detail as you are suggesting about household things as the sitter would always contact us in the first instance anyway. The important info is stuff like vet details etc. I also haven't ever left groceries as it's not expected with THS although we usually leave enough for them to get supper / a takeaway on the first night. Usually the quid pro quo is they get to stay free of charge in your house so no rent / utility bills etc and that's quite enough!

Thanks for the reply! I'll have a look for the guide.

I think I've maybe used the wrong term and should have said pet sitter, I'm definitely paying them and I think that's right as they'll be walking my large dog as well as feeding our menagerie of other pets. It's arranged through a pet sitting app, but it's a woman who's boarded our dog at her house before, so we know a bit.

Maybe I'm over preparing - I'm guess I'm aware we won't always be easily contactable due to poor phone coverage, and while I'm not expecting any emergencies, I wanted them to have any info they needed.

I knew what you meant 😄 The THS brand is confusing as most applicants look after pets as well ( some better than others it has to be said!). If you already know the lady and have a relationship with her then any nice touches will I'm sure be appreciated but I'm sure she won't expect them.