Get recommendations
You may simply need someone to pop in to feed your animal several times a day, or a sitter who will move into your home for the duration of your trip.
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a dependable person. Start by asking for recommendations from friends, the local community or your vet, and search for them on your area's Facebook page and community sites such as Nextdoor.
Sites that list profiles and reviews of local sitters include Gudog, Rover, Care.com, Cat in a Flat and We Love Pets.
Prepare for a surcharge Costs vary widely depending on the sitter's experience, the location, the length of stay and how much they need to do for your pet.
Overnight dog care costs anything between £25 and £70 a night, while cat-sitters charge about £10 to £15 a visit.
You are likely to pay a surcharge over bank holidays. Tails and Trails Pet Services in Pudsey, West Yorkshire, charges £18 for two daily visits with a 50% surcharge on bank holidays, and The Dog Walker, also in Yorkshire, charges double on some days. This includes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Sites such as BorrowMyDoggy put owners in touch with local animal lovers willing to walk and care for dogs. Owners pay £48.99 a year for the service, which includes messaging, insurance and a 24-hour vet helpline. The "borrowers" usually offer walks but may also take dogs overnight or for longer stays.
Trusted Housesitters can be a good way to find a reliable sitter if you're going away. You pay an annual fee of £199 for the standard service to find animal lovers who are willing to take care of your pets in return for a free place to stay.
This story is from the November 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 16, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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