Imagine booking a house sitter who promises to stay overnight, but doesn’t. If you are unable to find a replacement Sitter – you will end up cancelling your holiday plans to return home early to care for your pet. Not only are you out of pocket for the booking, but you may also have lost money on flights, hotels, and other bookings. In such cases, you’re entitled to a refund for unused service nights and may also seek compensation for associated losses.

The Role of Sharing Economy Platforms

Marketplace platforms are more than just fancy websites; they are the backbone of the sharing economy. These platforms offer a range of support and differ greatly in the quality offered:

• Customer Service & Technical Support: There to help if something goes wrong.
• Insurance & Training: Empowering Service Providers to meet high standards.
• Digital Verification & Reputation Publishing: Sitters are allocated badges and Platforms host reviews left by Clients.
• Pet Management Guidance & secure Booking Software: Easy-to-use tools for both pet owners and sitters.

It’s essential to note that pet care service providers on these platforms are usually independent contractors, not employees of the platform.

Legal Protections for Pet Owners

If you’re a Property Owner, several laws protect your rights:

Pet Sitters and House Sitters must comply with ACCC regulations, State laws, and animal welfare laws, such as those investigated by the RSPCA. These laws cover everything from cancellations, duty of care, to advertising and reviews.  Transparency is key—be upfront about your services and pricing to avoid surprises. 

You have the right to expect that services provided by Sitters comply with consumer laws. If something goes wrong, you’re not left in the lurch.

What are Property Owner’s responsibilities to House Sitters?

• To provide a clean, habitable property, free of mould, with fresh made up bed and sheets.
• To provide a safe property where all locks and windows are in working order
• To disclose whether pets has medical conditions or behavioural issues.
• To stock up on pet food prior to leaving, to last the entire stay, plus 2 extra days in case of delays.
• Its a good idea to be transparent with house sitters about any monitoring and cameras, explain the purpose of them, get the Sitters consent and to limit their use.
• To not have your friends or family members stay at the property while the Sitter is there.
• To discuss at the Meet the Greet whether the Sitter is allowed visitors or overnight guests.
• To discuss the minimum number of hours per day / night you are looking for a Sitter to be at the property. Summarise your conversation on the platform and ask the Sitter whether they are in agreement prior to paying for the booking.

What Happens If a Sitter Fails to Deliver?

A booking on a third party platform helps to provide written proof of offer and acceptance and forms a contract between a sitter and an owner. Not fulfilling a booking isn’t just disappointing—it’s a breach of contract. If a breach causes financial loss, you can seek compensation directly from the House Sitter through your state’s Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The amount you can seek through that avenue can go up to $25,000, depending on the severity of the issue.

Proof of Breach 

These days, there are a range of smart locks and home security cameras that will provide logs of the date and time the Sitter enters and exits the property. It is advisable to have a reliable security system that records activity logs in place before booking.

Animal Cruelty
If a sitter neglects your pet, you can file a report with the relevant authorities. Again, evidence is crucial in these cases.

Mediation may be cost-effective

Legal battles in court can be draining, both emotionally and financially, depending on whether you choose to self-represent, or engage a lawyer. Mediation may be a cost-effective alternative. 

Mediation is a negotiation facilitated by a third-party neutral professional Mediator in a neutral location. It is a structured, interactive process where an impartial third party, the mediator, assists disputing parties in resolving conflict using specialised communication and negotiation techniques.

Final Thoughts

When booking a house sitter, always choose a reputable sharing economy platform that performs thorough background checks, holds reviews of prior customers, police checks, and identity verification. Platforms provide ongoing accountability and these checks can provide peace of mind, giving certainty whose hands your pets and home are in. In addition, they usually have a Pet Accident insurance liability policy to prevent you suffering the financial burden of large emergency Vet bills if a pet accident occurs.

Bottom Line: Accountability is crucial in the sharing economy. By keeping transactions on the platform and understanding your rights and responsibilities, you are more likely to achieve a smoother experience.

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PetCloud is a national sharing economy platform with a strong focus on animal welfare, police checked Sitters, offers Animal Care training, and provides pet accident insurance cover, and a fast, free jobs board. Make an impact on animal welfare by booking your Pet’s next Sitter or Dog Walker through PetCloud.

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I’m sure many of us would love to spend all day with our pets and I’m sure some of us have even passed up on invitations due to feeling guilty leaving our fur baby home alone.  However there are times when we have to leave our pets when we go to work, family events or holidays away, so what do fur parents need to know to keep their pet happy and healthy.

Bathroom Breaks

You don’t want your dog to be crossing their legs all day long or urinating inside because they haven’t had enough bathroom breaks. It can not only be an unwanted mess to clean but also holding urine for prolonged periods of time has is at risk of urinary tract infections, crystals and stones. According to Dr Kristy Conn, Veterinary Medicine recommends urinary frequency in dogs will vary due to factors such as age, sex, body size and overall health.

“Ideally, adult dogs should be allowed outside to relieve themselves 3-5 times a day,” Dr Conn said.  “Typically, smaller breeds and younger dogs will need to urinate more frequently than larger breeds and older dogs.”

Common time limits for dogs at different life stages:

• Puppies: one hour per every month of age (so a four month old puppy can wait four hour to pee)
• Adult dogs (One year and older): up to eight hours, but ideally no more than six
• Senior dogs (Eight years and older): depending on size and health, anywhere from two to six hours

Provide a break every four to six hours to ensure your furbaby’s comfort and safety.

Standard work days are eight to ten hours long, so what if you can’t pop home at lunch to take your dog out? Hire a dog walker for worry-free pet care.

Physical Exercise

Dogs need an outlet for their energy and this is best channelled into exercise and play.

Obesity is a common problem among Australian pets and no matter your dogs energy and fitness level exercise helps them:

• Stay healthy
• Digest meals
• Stimulate their mind
• Burn calories
• Avoid boredom and boredom-induced destructive behaviours

Of course individual exercise needs vary depending on your dog’s age, breed and health level, however all dogs require daily exercise, regardless of their breed and size.

The RSPCA suggests, dogs need regular exercise, at least once a day for most dogs and forms of exercise can include walks, off leash runs and structured play.

As a guide, healthy dogs need about 60 minutes of moderate activity every day but does not need to be continuous.

A good starting point is: In the morning enjoy a 20-30 minute walk or play session, then a midday romp (with you or a dog walker) to break up the alone time and of course quality time with you when you arrive home in the evening.

Mental Exercise

Keeping your best friend happy, healthy and on their best behaviour can require mental exercise activity, also known as enrichment.

The RSPCA Animal and Behaviour Training Centre says mental wellbeing is often not given quite the same amount of attention as physical health needs but is very important.

“Good psychological health will enable your dog to be calm, able to cop more readily with stressful events and generally have a more enjoyable life,” they said.

“Additionally keeping your dog entertained will reduce the opportunity that your dog has to practice problem behaviours such as nuisance barking, digging, chewing and escaping.”

Mental stimulating activities can be simple and your dog will love you for it.

Tips and ideas to keep your dog mentally stimulated:

• Exercise outside the yard: beach, park or at another house (Doggy day care or play dates)
• Dog toys: Have a toy box for each day so your dog feels like they’re getting new toys everyday. Find enrichment toys here.
• Use food to entertain: Ditch the food bowl and use food as rewards, hid it around the house, make dog popsicles with treats frozen in ice or use it in puzzle toys like kongs.
• Make a treat bottle: Use an old 2Ltr plastic bottle with lid, plastic ring and labels off, clean the bottle, cut a few holes in the sides and place treats or dog biscuits inside.
• Make an ice treat: Place dog treats in an ice cream container, fill with water, freeze overnight and once frozen tip the ice treat out of its container.
• Amusement areas at home: Make a sand pit or water pit your dog can freely dig and play in.

LONGER TRIPS AWAY: WHAT IS BEST HOUSE VISITS OR HOUSE/PET SITTING?

What about when it comes to being away? At what point should you change from house visits to house sitting or pet sitting.

Pictured: Dr Mandy Paterson, Principal Scientist for RSPCA Queensland

Dr Mandy Paterson, Principal Scientist for RSPCA Queensland advises a dog should not be left along for more than 48 hours.

Dr Paterson said if a pet owner is away for any longer periods of time the dog should either have a house sitter or go stay with a pet sitter so they can have physical company as they are pack animals.

When dogs are left alone for extended periods it can lead to behaviour like barking, whining, destruction, escapism.
 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SITTER

It is important for pet owners to select a pet sitter who is well suited to their pet’s needs such as exercise requirements, energy levels, social needs, attention needs, etc.

In particular if your fur baby experiences separation anxiety, destructive chewing or escapism such as digging or jumping fences, choose a sitter who is home throughout the day.

Pet owners should consider booking a pet sitter who offers dog walking services and able to walk their pet twice a day.

Also by packing your pets favourite enrichment toys, your pet will be receive mental and physical stimulation and return home a happy pet!

Find local Vets, store your Pet’s Health, etc, download PetCloud today.

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The post How Long Can You Leave Your Dog Alone? appeared first on PetCloud.

1. Decide on What Pet Care Services you need

Pet Sitters generally all set their own prices and services and is as varied as your needs may be. Some Pet Sitters offer live-in care (known as “house sitting”), while others may offer grooming, outdoor exercise, and training. Once you and your pet have determined what services your pet needs, head to reputable national website, PetCloud. PetCloud is partnered with the RSPCA across most States in Australia and is the only Pet Sitting service to have RSPCA (Qld) Accredited Pet Sitters.

2. Use a Pet Sitting Service Website

Using a Pet Sitting Service website can cut down on the time you spend search for a Sitter by offering an advanced search and selecting things such as distance from your home, services offered, size dog serviced, size of backyard offered, and price range. A good pet sitting service will insure all bookings and also conduct verification checks (on email addresses, phone numbers, facebook connection, home addresses, current and valid drivers licenses and even offer national Police Background checks.

In the search results, click on each Sitter to read their online reviews from other people who have used them. Good Sitters will have a clear profile photo, click through the photos of their backyard, and lounge and look for places that indicate they have a secure fence, maintained outdoor area, and clean and tidy house.

If the Sitter will be entering or staying in your home while you are away, check on the website that your sitter has undergone a recent criminal background check and has received proper training. On PetCloud we have verification badges that tell Pet Owners exactly what Sitter training, verifications, and checks the Sitter has had.

PetCloud House & Pet Sitter Lauren from Surry Hills, NSW has had a Police Background check.

There is a variety of Pet Sitters on PetCloud. Some are even extremely experienced with Veterinarian-related qualifications. On PetCloud, we have optional RSPCA (Qld) Accredited Pet Sitters.

See image below.

Hannah from Melbourne is an RSPCA (Qld) Accredited Pet Sitter

3. Request a “Meet & Greet” with the Sitter

Request a Meet & Greet 2-4 weeks before the pet stay with your pet(s) present to observe interactions and establish a “comfort level” for both you and your pet(s). The purpose of a Meet & Greet is also for you and the Pet Sitter to together walk through the Sitters home and yard to ensure there’s no holes in the fence, no hazards or obstructions in the backyard, check that any poisons are out of reach and that fences are adequate for the breed and size of your pet.

4. Shop and pack a Pet Holiday Bag

Pack a Pet Holiday Bag. PetCloud have provided this must-have handy list on their website so you can know what to take.

OK, let’s see if I have everything packed. My teddy, my ball, my coat,

my kibble & meat, and a photo of my family. Think that’s it. Photo: @tobywigglebottom

5. Snap a photo of your Sitters address and phone number 

You will need to drive to their home on the way to the airport or the highway so keep it in a handy spot.

6. Handing over Care of your Pet to the Sitter

When you arrive with your pet at the pet sitters home, (or if the Sitter comes to pick them up) remind the Sitter about any medical or behaviour problems your pet has, such as a history of epilepsy or fear of thunder. Then hand your Pet’s Holiday Bag and your leashed pet to the sitter, and say good-bye.

Meeting the Sitter @tobywigglebottom

7. Then relax and enjoy your holiday!

Relax knowing your booking is insured, you will receive daily photo updates of what your pet is getting up to from your Pet Sitter straight to your inbox on the PetCloud website.

Hero image credit: @tobywigglebottom

Download the PetCloud App and get Pet Friendly Cafes around you, on the go.
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The Professional Pet Sitting Course, is the best way to get confident in understanding the standard of care that the RSPCA expects.  As a house sitter, there are some do’s and dont’s which you must consider. Starting with the Do’s

Here are 10 things you should DO when you are house sitting.

1. Do request a Meet & Greet as early as possible. You need to know what you’re getting into.  This way if upon doing a full property tour you discover that the home is not secure, has mould, or is completely filthy, you can turn down the booking, giving the Owner enough time to find an alternative solution.  You can also discuss the Owner’s expectations and whether you feel you can meet them. You can also find out about house rules and the pet’s care routine. For example, should you be using the air-con or not? Are you able to light a fire in the fireplace? Is the dog allowed on the couch? Can you have friends stay over? 

2. WI-FI password to stay connected . Request that the owner gives you the wifi password, so that you can stay connected and send them updates about their pet. Seek permission first in writing whether its okay to stream movies using their internet account.

3. Be organised. This is not your personal bedroom and you should make sure you keep everything organised. Choose a room/corner in the house to keep all your stuff.

4. Emergency contact. Keep emergency contacts saved on your phone or stuck on the fridge. You should always ask for the vet’s number and their neighbour or their friends mobile number.

5. Lock every door and window whilst you are absent from the property. EVEN IF THE OWNERS USUALLY DON’T.

6. Stock up food you have eaten. You saw a box of Ferrero Rochers and you couldn’t resist the temptation? It’s only okay as long the Owner is okay with it and if you replace it.

7. Do what you say you will, daily. If you have taken on a house sitting job, you MUST stay overnight. You can’t just do house visits and sleep at your own house. Also have a to-do list everyday so that you don’t forget to water the plants, feed the dog or cats, feed the fish etc.

8. Don’t be a stranger to the neighbours. Smile and say hi Know that they will be watching your movements.

9. Make your bed. Make sure you make the bed but take the sheets off the bed and leave them in the washing machine before you leave.

10. Surprise the Owner with a ‘Welcome Home’ gift. Flowers, chocolates, biscuits, or a card. The Owner will be leaving you a public review on your listing after the stay which will impact your ability to get future work.

Now, here are the 10 DON’TS when you are house sitting:

1. Don’t invite your boyfriend or friends over. Don’t invite friends over unless you have obtained prior written permission at the Meet & Greet. Know that most homeowners these days have discreet surveillance cameras and your movements will be monitored.  So if you lie about when you’re coming and going, or about inviting someone around without prior permission -you WILL be caught out.

2. Don’t mess with the gadgets.  The last thing you want to do is ruin the surround system or the expensive food processor.

3. Don’t try to become an interior decorator. The house should be left the way the owner left it.

4. Don’t offer to do more than what you have agreed. Changing a lightbulb or tightening a tap connector is not your job. Raise it with the Owner first.

5. Don’t eat or drink anything on the carpet. Cleaning a carpet can cost a lot of money and the last thing you would want is to spill a bit of food on the carpet. Liability insurance is for covering pet accidents, not property accidents so you will have to pay for damages from your personal funds if this happens.

6. Don’t start wine tasting. You can book a trip to Barossa Valley or get your favourite bottle from Dan Murphy’s but don’t raid the alcohol at the owners place.

7. Don’t invade privacy. Always be respectful of the homeowner’s personal belongings and property. Again, most homeowners these days have surveillance cameras and they will know.

8. Don’t make long distance calls from their landline. Since most house sitters have mobile phones, this is rarely a problem.

9. Don’t leave the house in a mess. Make it a point to do a quick tidy up before leaving the premises. No owner would like their place looking like a pig sty.

10. Don’t neglect your duties. It may sometimes feel like a holiday but it’s not as you are getting paid for it. Complete all house sitting tasks as agreed upon.

House sitters can earn up to $50 – $60 a night and get long bookings. So get ready to make money cuddling pets on PetCloud. Just create a listing, verify your account and you’ll be able to apply or accept house sitting jobs.

Find local Vets, store your Pet’s Health, etc, download PetCloud today.

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The post House Sitting Etiquette – Do’s and Don’ts appeared first on PetCloud.

1. Flexible Especially when your work schedule is subject to change, it’s advantageous to have a great pet sitter who is flexible and can step in on short notice. That way, if you have an important appointment or need to stay late at the office, you can trust your pet will be taken care of.

2. Calm & Resourceful Any pet parent knows that with animals things don’t always go according to plan. But a great pet sitter must remain patient when your pet doesn’t behave as expected, and stay calm so your pet doesn’t feel and react to the anxiety and can problem-solve, rather than phoning you every 5 minutes.

3. Sensitive A great pet sitter recognises the needs of your pet and responds to them. The person should realise when your cat doesn’t want to play anymore and give her space. Look for someone who handles your pet affectionately and never uses physical punishment or force, like dragging on your dog’s leash during a walk.

4. Trustworthy & Safety Conscious Since you may be handing your spare keys to your pet sitter, it’s very important that you can trust this person. To get an idea of whether a caregiver may be trustworthy, read reviews online, check references from previous employers. PetCloud make it mandatory that all sitters to have a background check if they want to offer house sitting (ie staying in the Owners home while they’re away). Remember, if you get a bad feeling after meeting someone, always trust your gut. The Sitter’s backyard should also meet the RSPCA Backyard Checklist Criteria and be escape-proof. Refer to PetCloud if you would like a print out of this checklist.

5. Experienced & Prepared Especially when your pet is high maintenance or challenging in terms of care, hire a pet sitter who has a lot of experience. If you have a pug, your pet sitter should not be new to the pet care field. Instead, find someone who has handled pugs before, and can provide references or a certificate to show their experience level. Does your pet have a medical condition or need special treatment? Look for a caregiver with a background in this area. A Sitter who also owns a Pet First Aid Kit demonstrates someone who is prepared.

6. Consistent You’ve probably worked hard to teach your pet the rules of the house. Make sure your sitter knows them too. If you don’t allow your pooch to lie on the sofa or sleep in your bed, your pet sitter should not undo your training by bending the rules. The person you hire must be firm and consistent — even if your pet gives them the begging puppy-dog-eyes!

7. Reliable & a good communicator Your pet sitter is there to make your everyday life easier — not to cause you additional headache wondering if they’ll be late or show up at all. It’s important that you can rely on your caregiver and schedule your plans confidently. Set clear agreements between you and your pet sitter about rules and scheduling. If the sitter is running late (as happens to everyone occasionally), what is the protocol for letting you know? Does the Pet Sitter paraphrase back to you exactly what you are asking them to do while you’re away?  If they seem flaky and uninterested, you do have more options, call the friendly PetCloud staff and ask for assistance or log a job on PetCloud.

8. Genuine Love for Animals Ask interesting questions during your interview to get a feel for the candidate‘s personality (for example: “What’s the funniest or most embarrassing thing you’ve experienced with an animal? ”). A good pet sitter will show a genuine love for pets in their answers to your questions. Ask about pets they’ve owned or cared for in the past — a person who loves animals will be eager to tell you stories of their own pets. Through these types of discussions you can gauge their love for animals and their level of excitement about this job opportunity. Also, is the pet sitter taking notes? Does the person ask questions about your pet’s eating habits, characteristics and dispositions? These are good signs that the caregiver is really interested and dedicated to getting to know your pet and its personal needs.

9. Connection to Your Pet You wouldn’t hire a babysitter without having her meet your kids first — it should be the same with your pet! Request a meet-and-greet with the pet sitter and your pet. It’s okay if your pet doesn’t warm up to the new person immediately, but watch for signs that your pet is very uncomfortable or that the person is handling the pet incorrectly. Observing the pet sitter with your pet is a great way to tell if the person really has the experience and comfort with animals that they claim to have.

Find local Vets, store your Pet’s Health, etc, download PetCloud today.

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The post What traits make a great Pet Sitter? appeared first on PetCloud.

Here are seven reasons why house sitting is the most PAWSOME  Job.

1. Extra income.  From saving to taking a dream trip, paying off debt, use the extra income to fund your passions.
2. Save money. Pet minding will not only make you money, it will save you money. For the day or days, while you are looking after the person’s pets, you don’t have to pay for the electricity, internet, water etc. you are while sitting. You will also not be using any of these facilities from your house, all saving you money on your bills while you get paid for it.
3. You can get paid to travel. House sitting gives you the opportunity to effectively get paid to stay somewhere new. Feel like a weekend away at the beach? Find someone in the beach area through PetCloud who requires pet minding for the weekend and enjoy a relaxing weekend away with some animal friends to keep you company.
4. You’re the boss. Accept only the Pets you want to mind, offer the services you want to offer, for the prices you are willing to do it for, in the location where you want to do the minding (in your home or the Pet Owners home).
5. Flexibility and Freedom. You’re the boss. Work to your own schedule and work as much, or little as you like. Apply to jobs on our jobs board or respond to enquiries from Pet Owners
6. You will get fitter When dog minding, you are going to be taking the dog for walks out in the sunshine at least once every day and playing games like fetch or tug of war. With all that walking and playing games, you are going to get fitter and healthier and have loads of fun while you do it.
7. You get paid to look after cute animals all day Isn’t it every kid’s dream to stay at home with and play with pets all day? What could be better than fulfilling a childhood dream? The fact that you also get paid to do it!
8. It’s like having your own pets, but without the commitment Pet minding is a great way for animal lovers to get their fix of pets without having to commit to getting their own. When you set up an account with PetCloud, you can list the days and times that you are available and choose which bookings you take on. This way you still get to play with and look after animals but don’t have to miss out on holidays, or spontaneous weekends away because you have a pet and can’t find a sitter in time.

Recently one of our top Pet Sitter Maddy got a 1-month house sitting booking and she is having a great time living in a beautiful house with two dogs and one cat. The best part is she is getting paid to do that. Maddy started out as a casual House Sitter on PetCloud but now she does it full time.

(Pictures taken by PetCloud Pet Sitter Maddy)

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today to become a Pet/House Sitter on PetCloud.

Author – Ellie Martinez  She is a university student, studying a BCI majoring in creative and professional writing. She is passionate about animals and their welfare. She has a pet cat named Tom Cat which she adopted from the RSPCA back in 2005.

Find local Vets, store your Pet’s Health, etc, download PetCloud today.

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