The best housesitting and pet-sitting services for homeowners and prospective sitters

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No vacation is fully booked if you haven't accounted for your home and pets while away. From a broken freezer of spoiled food to a withered vegetable garden, house sitters can prevent disaster from striking while you kick back and relax. The hard part is finding the right one for you — which is where the best house-sitting services come in handy.

House-sitting and pet-sitting platforms connect homeowners with potential caregivers. They're an excellent place for homeowners to meet experienced sitters and vice versa, but that's not all. Many avid travelers are joining the workforce for free boarding in certain destinations — that's why house-sitting has become a common budget travel hack for traveling without the cost of accommodations.

While house-sitters can grant you the peace of mind you need for a truly restful vacation, inviting a stranger you meet online into your home can be very stressful. Using a trusted service can negate some (though not all) of that risk. We poured through the reviews to find the most trusted house-sitting and pet-sitting jobs and services by frequent travelers and caregivers.

The best for free house- and pet-sitting

Rather than the traditional paid view of house- and pet-sitting, Trustedhousesitters views the service as an even exchange: watching someone's house and pets in exchange for a free place to stay. That view has garnered the platform a lot of worldwide traffic as a way to travel without paying for a hotel. TrustedHousesitters' global popularity means home and pet owners have a lot of caregivers to choose from. One of the biggest complaints found on the web is for cancellations throwing travel plans awry, but premium members can receive up to $150 per day to cover alternative accommodations or alternative pet-sitting. Both pet parents and sitters are required to pay an annual membership fee.

The best for caregivers of every type

While Care.com is arguably best known for finding childcare, the platform stretches across multiple categories, including house- and pet-sitting. Care.com's large platform means those looking for care have a wealth of different background-checked caregivers to choose from, allowing home and pet owners more options to find the right sitter. With both web and mobile apps, reviewers also rave about how easy the network is to use. For caregivers, joining requires creating a profile and passing a background check.

The most trusted pet-sitting app

As a large platform connecting pet owners with caregivers, Rover has a large database of pet-lovers available for boarding, house-sitting, pet-sitting, doggy daycare, drop-ins, and dog walking gigs. Unlike some platforms, Rover allows pet owners to choose the caregiver rather than working with a large company that may send a different employee every time. While all care providers must pass a background check, pet owners can narrow down their search using reviews and schedule an in-person meeting ahead of time. After the initial search, the app can handle payments and even deliver photos of your pet while you are away. For pet sitters, Rover's ability to set your own rates after passing the background check and safety quiz is a major perk.

The best for pet-sitting businesses near you

Pet Sitters International isn't a service platform like Rover or Care.com. Instead, it's an organization that offers training and certification for pet sitters. For pet owners, the organization offers an online database of registered pet sitters. Pet parents can use this tool to find a small business in their area offering pet care. The tool highlights which certifications and training the pet sitter has received, along with details like insurance and types of animals they care for. This search tool can be a big help for pet parents who would prefer to go with a small business with specialized training. Pet care businesses can join by paying a membership fee to access the classes and resources.

The best for cat owners

While Meowtel is for cats only, the feline pet-sitting platform has an overwhelming percentage of positive reviews. Because Meowtel caters specifically to cats, the service is designed around these critters, including feeding, litter change, and playtime. All sitters on the platform are insured and pet parents can schedule a meet ahead of time before choosing a pet sitter. Reviewers also say that Meowtel's customer service is quick to respond. The platform only approves around 10% of the pet sitters that apply, but those who make it through the selection process receive complimentary insurance and are able to set their own rates.

What is house sitting?

House-sitters care for your home while you are away. Often, they stay overnight, but in some scenarios, they may simply visit your property regularly — it just depends on your preference. House-sitters keep up with essential tasks like watering plants and checking mailboxes. They often take care of both the home and pets, allowing the pet to stay in a known, comfortable environment rather than boarding at an unfamiliar location.

Are house-sitters safe?

Hiring a house-sitter or pet sitter means trusting this person with your home and your pets. Even when using a large, reputable platform, you must exercise caution when selecting a sitter.

How do you find a safe sitter? Whenever possible, hire someone you know and trust. If that's not an option, use a reputable platform that requires a background check. Look for a sitter with insurance, training, and positive reviews. Interview potential candidates thoroughly, ideally in person or over a video call, and ask for references. Once you have selected a house-sitter, be specific about your home's needs while away.

What are house-sitter requirements?

House-sitting requirements vary based on the platform and the homeowner. At a minimum, you should be prepared to pass a background check. Some platforms require further training, such as passing a safety test. New house-sitters can also expect a challenging first gig since many homeowners are cautious about hiring someone without a positive review or reference. Once hired, homeowners will clarify their exact expectations.