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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Would you leave your dog with a random person?

36 replies

TheGreatestAtuin · 09/02/2024 14:43

Sorry, strange thread title but I wasn't sure how to phrase it!

I am having a nightmare trying to find boarding for my dear dog, even though the dates are over 8 months away! Everywhere is booked/not accepting new clients. My usual dog-sitter is also already fully booked.

Anyway I have been asking around for recommendations and a random person has contacted me on social media to offer to help. They have the same kind of dog.

I haven't responded yet, as (as kind as the offer is), I feel funny about leaving the DD with a random person (obviously would meet them beforehand, etc, but still). But am I being precious? I just feel like it would be risky. A proper dog-sitter with an established business will have insurance, etc.

I need to respond to the message, as I don't want to seem rude, but not sure what to say!

Also, what the blimmin' hell do people do with their dogs when they go on holiday? I have only had to deal with this once since getting DD, as we have mostly gone on dog-friendly UK holidays, and only had one short break where we couldn't take DD with us. I hadn't anticipated finding it this difficult to arrange something, particularly not the best part of a year in advance.

For various reasons I am not keen to send DD to kennels as I am not sure he would cope (and the ones near us get very mixed reviews).

OP posts:
Firsttimebabymama · 09/02/2024 14:44

I'd only leave them with a professional dog sitter/boarder with insurance etc or family/friends that I trust.

Nudgethatjudge · 09/02/2024 14:53

No, I want full insurance, able to see references and other people I know who have used them.
And obviously we visit before booking them and always do several pre-stay visits so my dog isn't as anxious.

stomachameleon · 09/02/2024 14:55

I have built mine up over time perhaps you could do that? Eg do some get togethers, meet ups and see how the dogs get along.

No dog Walker is necessarily going to be a right fit for you but you have eight months to see how it goes.

Iheartmysmart · 09/02/2024 14:59

Never! My dog went to home boarding via a reputable company once and I met with the people who’d be caring for him a few times before I’d leave him. But as he got older I only trusted my mum and ex-husband to care for him.

Gizlotsmum · 09/02/2024 15:01

Nope. I even refused one kennels as it just didn’t feel right. However you have a bit of time to find alternatives. Does your regular dog sitter have anyone they would recommend?

Definitelylivedin · 09/02/2024 15:06

I use trusted house sitters. So whilst we don't know them personally we can see reviews and talk to them before . Insurance is through the site. It works weird for us because we live in a semi-touristy area and we are happy having people in our house.

GingerRuby · 09/02/2024 15:08

Another one who says no way to a random. I am in Scotland do not sure if applicable everywhere, up here all dog boarders, kennels etc have to have a council licence so you can obtain this list from our council website.
I have a golden retriever and there are certain boarders who specialise in this breed, come very highly recommended on the GR Facebook groups so worth travelling for as an example.

I hope you find somewhere, I also rarely holiday unless is a dog friendly cottage but sometimes travel for work and can be really difficult.

Dozycuntlaters · 09/02/2024 15:27

Have you looked on rover.com?

MuttsNutts · 09/02/2024 15:27

No chance of me leaving any of my dogs with a random that contacted me.

But have a look at Rover.com. There are people on there that are reviewed and you can meet them at their homes before the date you are going away to get the idea of what they are like and how they interact with your dog.

And dogs are great judges of character in my experience so watch for their cues.

Original poster
TheGreatestAtuin · 09/02/2024 17:00

Thank you all. Glad I am not going mad!

The lady my usual dog-sitter recommends is going on maternity leave. 😂

I am still waiting to hear back from a couple of places I emailed in the last few days, so fingers crossed! But it would seem everywhere is VERY busy, to be booked up so far in advance/not taking new clients. I am assuming as so many people got dogs during COVID?!

Before we got a dog my DM said she and Dad could have ours for holidays (they have their own dog), so I didn't expect to have to worry about this, but for some unknown reason she changed her mind. She likes my DD and he is very well behaved so it's a bit perplexing.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 09/02/2024 17:03

looks at reactive pita dog

I mean... they’d bring him back within 20 minutes.... and I don’t think I could move house that quickly... 😂

But seriously, no, don’t give your dog to a random person messaging you on Facebook.

Original poster
TheGreatestAtuin · 09/02/2024 17:03

Worst case he can go back to the rescue, as they do boarding and would love to have him back, but it's over and hour away and in the wrong direction.

I did look at Trusted Sitters but I don't like the idea of strangers in my house I am afraid.

Will check out Rover too thank you!!

OP posts:
Wildehorses · 09/02/2024 17:07

My sister dog sits through trusted housesitters.com … sitters are not paid, so they do it purely because they love animals and want to visit new places … whereas dog sitters do earn a fee through Rover.com … both sites have insurance, validated reviews etc

Waitingfordoggo · 09/02/2024 17:14

My ILs usually have our dog but I also used Rover last summer (as ILs were also on holiday). We found an absolutely lovely family who our dog adored and had a great time with.

MuttsNutts · 09/02/2024 19:06

TheGreatestAtuin · 09/02/2024 17:03

Worst case he can go back to the rescue, as they do boarding and would love to have him back, but it's over and hour away and in the wrong direction.

I did look at Trusted Sitters but I don't like the idea of strangers in my house I am afraid.

Will check out Rover too thank you!!

I wouldn’t have a stranger in my house either but I found someone lovely on Rover.com and I would be very happy leaving mine with them if I need to. You can choose somebody who has no other dogs if you like, they tell you, if they have children…find somebody that really suits you and your dog.

Nw22 · 09/02/2024 19:12

No.
I visited a few dog boarders with my dog before we found one we liked. He only stays there or with a very trusted friend.

Devilshands · 09/02/2024 19:20

Anyway I have been asking around for recommendations and a random person has contacted me on social media to offer to help.

Honestly? First thought through my mind was: they'll either sell your dog to someone or use it in dog fighting. Best case scenario.

I wouldn't let a randomer off a website near my dog either. Trusted sitters? Trusted by who? Do they do background checks? (Probably not). Do they have actual reviews from real people rather than friends/family who make crap up? (Probably not). And even if you can meet them first, that doesn't mean you can trust them. People lie.

I won't even leave my dogs with kennels tbh - I've heard way to many horror stories about dogs going into kennels and being left in cages all day covered in faeces, not exercised, coming home a neurotic mess and covered in sores, seriously sick.

Friends/family or the dog isn't left at all IMO.

LizzoBorden · 09/02/2024 19:26

Not a chance. My boy stays with friends who run a home boarding service, or friends with a farm on lots of land.

Dartmoorcheffy · 09/02/2024 19:30

Mine stays at home. We have a secure enclosed garden and prop the back door open. A neighbour comes in first thing and last to close it and give him food and another friend comes each day to take him a long walk with her dog. Mine is a rescue, wouldn't thrive in kennels and would be distressed in another person's home (we tried it and he was so unhappy), but he's perfectly happy staying home alone and not at all stressed.

lifeispainauchocolat · 09/02/2024 23:00

Be really careful with Rover.

Anyone can advertise on there and Rover don't check to make sure they're insured and licensed (both legal requirements).

There have been a few stories in the news of dogs who have died under the care of Rover sitters so please, please make sure the person you use is licensed, insured etc.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 09/02/2024 23:13

I have 2 rescues and couldn't leave them with anyone nor put into kennels so dog friendly holidays it is.

mondaytosunday · 09/02/2024 23:41

I second (or third) Trusted House sitters. Honestly it's fine. Only cost £149 for annual subscription and I had a lovely woman from Columbia look after my four pets for 15 days over Christmas for free - it would have cost over £1000 at a kennels.
Your house is kept safe too.

Original poster
TheGreatestAtuin · 10/02/2024 08:08

lifeispainauchocolat · 09/02/2024 23:00

Be really careful with Rover.

Anyone can advertise on there and Rover don't check to make sure they're insured and licensed (both legal requirements).

There have been a few stories in the news of dogs who have died under the care of Rover sitters so please, please make sure the person you use is licensed, insured etc.

See - this is my concern with both Rover and Trusted house sitters. They're very vague about how their sitters are verified, etc.

Also looked on Rover and OMG the prices! My usual sitter charges £25 per night, and having looked at a lot of local sitters (with their own established dog care/walking/sitting business) recently £25-30 per night seems to be the going rate. The people on Rover local to me are looking for £45-60+ per night.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheGreatestAtuin · 10/02/2024 08:10

mondaytosunday · 09/02/2024 23:41

I second (or third) Trusted House sitters. Honestly it's fine. Only cost £149 for annual subscription and I had a lovely woman from Columbia look after my four pets for 15 days over Christmas for free - it would have cost over £1000 at a kennels.
Your house is kept safe too.

It's only "fine" if you want a stranger living in your house.

I don't.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheGreatestAtuin · 10/02/2024 08:13

Thank you for all the replies. You've all echoed what I thought. But then the fact this person messaged me in the first place made me think perhaps this is a normal thing other people do?

I can't imagine messaging someone I didn't know to offer to look after their pet.

They probably are genuine, but I don't personally think it's worth the risk.

I'm still looking! 😆

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