Housesitting solution labelled ‘lifesaver’ by pet owner

Studies have found that more than half of pet owners say they travel less since getting a pet and 57% plan vacations around pet-friendly accommodation. Having a pet and travelling, therefore, can be a struggle as many feel guilty leaving their furry friends somewhere that isn’t their home, and also can’t always bring them along.

There are also concerns about separation anxiety and wellbeing as almost half (49%) of pet owners say they worry more about their pet’s wellbeing than their own enjoyment on vacation and a third of pet parents spend a significant portion of their vacation on their phones, checking in on their pet or video calling their sitter.

This doesn’t have to be the norm for pet owners, and the ideal situation is to go on holiday, knowing pets are in safe hands and also around their own comforts. TrustedHousesitters allows for a guilt-free vacation for pet owners and the chance to travel for would-be sitters, plus they can get additional money off memberships with the code THS20SC until September 30th. 

TrustedHousitters gives pet owners the option to travel with peace of mind while their pets are looked after at home by a verified sitter. For a one-year membership fee beginning at £99, pet parents can welcome as many sitters as needed throughout the year.

The platform is designed to be easy to use. Pet owners choose their membership option, Standard or Premium Pet Parent, start browsing for pet sitters or sits for free. Instead of charging for their services, sitters provide pet care in exchange for a place to stay on their travels and time spent with a pet companion—and then set off on their holiday. 

Pet owners can have peace of mind as sitters are verified, there are also reviews left by fellow pet parents, and pets get to stay safe and happy from the comfort of their own homes. For sitters who have to be over 21, it offers an affordable way to travel with an annual membership that unlocks unlimited pet sitting stays in homes around the world. It also makes it a more sustainable way to travel rather than contributing to over-tourism.

There are other platforms that offer similar services that pet owners can also have a look at. For example, Rover, an app and website that connects dog and cat parents with pet sitters and dog walkers in neighbourhoods across the UK, US, Canada and Europe. 

Another option is Borrow My Doggy, which connects dog owners with verified local borrowers for walks, weekends, and overnight stays. Those interested can sign up for free and choose from some premium memberships if needed. 

TrustedHousesitters has been rated highly on Trustpilot however with a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from over 21,000 reviews. One person said: “My family and I LOVE the benefits of TrustedHousesitters! Nearly every vacation since joining has been as a sitter. We even sat for a month when we moved to a new city to have time to get to know the neighborhoods and research where we wanted to live before signing a long term lease or buying.”

Another person said: “This has given us the opportunity to travel from NZ and house sit in the UK and France. We have signed on for six sits (five in England and one in France) in total, over 3.5 months. This has allowed us to travel extensively across the UK, Ireland, France and Portugal. This would be impossible on our budget otherwise.”

“Finding this site a year ago was a lifesaver. We have had a number of sitters and all have proven reliable, trustworthy and efficient. It has freed my wife and me up to do so much travelling that would otherwise have been impossible,” said another person.

Other customers raised usability issues with the website. One reviewer gave TrustedHousesitters four stars but said: “The app is definitely better than the website, which is not as intuitive as it could be.” 

A thrilled customer noted: “The app has been so straightforward and easy to use. The saved searches have led us to stays that fit exactly what we are looking for. Our first stay was incredible! I just wish we had known about TrustedHousesitters sooner! We’ve already booked a second stay and referred two friends.”

Those interested in finding a house sitter or travelling as a pet sitteron TrustedHousesitters can get additional money off memberships with the code THS20SC until September 30th.