Has any used trustedhousesitters.com? . Looking for someone to house/dog sit and came across their site. Seems to good to be true as you pay an annual fee and then they do it for free.... Love to hear from anyone who has more information.!
Thanks Anna.

I think there is some issue as to whether the individuals are insured and whether they are council licensed.  most councils now require one and they stipulate what is needed and max number of dogs and require an isolation area too.
most of these types of companies you sign up and it's down to you to check out who they put forward.  I would be checking up on things like that and whether they are dbs checked too which is vital if someone is in your honw

I have used Animal Angels several times.  Expensive but really excellent.

That annual fee (is the money you pay refundable should they go out of business?) would go quite a way towards either a Boarding Kennel (even if staying at home might be preferable).    I tried to search for sitters in my area, but couldn't get the website to work - perhaps you have to 'join' before it will?

We rarely go away, or did, as putting our lot into kennels would have cost more than the holiday but the one time I had to take a long weekend away, I used some people I located via the Yellow Pages.   They appeared to have good references and I did know they'd be doing other 'sitting' along with my 5 (much as I assume they stayed overnight in my home - I wasn't there to see!!) but when I came home, much as my guys were fine, there was a huge patch on the living room floor which was clearly urine - I assume from my hounds not them!     I'd asked them to shut the door to the living room and dining room, giving them the hallway and kitchen only, when they had to go out too.    I wasn't amused, especially as we rented that property and I was aware of 'people with pets'!!

You might ask your vet he knows of anybody local who might sit your dog?    Sometimes what looks too good to be true, isn't always the best way to go.

I'm sure there are good dog sitters but I'd now only use ones you personally know.   Websites and even people can give the impression that theyre responsible and good but reality can be different.  I know it is common place to book in multiple home pet sitting jobs and only visit them rather than living in, so the dogs are left alone at night.  I am now convinced that a good kennel is much better. I want may dogs to be looked after and kept safe rather than have the sofas/cuddles and love that these pet sitters claim they give.

Just seen the website - it looks like a house sitting version of borrow my dog.  So it will be down to you to interview and ensure you trust them.

Agree with most of the comments. I need someone to live in so dogs are not alone at night. But it is quite a minefield out there looking at websites and contacting agencies. The good thing is that I don't need anyone till next year , just doing a bit of pre planning.! Where we lived before I put an ad in the local shop and got a lovely couple who were really good. Might try that again.

try the good dog guide. you can then interview the ones local to you who do dog sitting.

Thank you!

You know what JenP, I agree!!   Provided the kennels look (and smell!) good, chances are at least your dogs will be safe which may not necessarily be the case with sitters you know nothing about.   But be aware - I worked for 2 years in a boarding kennel where they offered the earth which they didn't give!    I had no choice but to button my mouth at the time because circumstances made living there for a couple of years, where we could have our hounds when they came out of quarantine, the best alternative.   As soon as we could move on, we did!

I was talking to a house sitter/dog walker recently and was quite surprised to learn that she leaves her house sitting dogs for most of the day while she does her day job as a dog walker, she does spend the nights there but I think for the money I would expect a bit more time devoted to my dogs.  Personal recommendation would be the best way to find a suitable person if you can.

The best Kennels I've used were recommended by word of mouth.  On a small - holding - not pretty, didn't ask for vaccinations (YIPEE) some dogs rambled round the house and yard, all walked daily, for my stress-head collie X it was the only place she didn't get kennel cough, rabbits and cat were fine too.  None of mine have been kenneled much, they usually come,  but I never had any worries leaving any of them there unlike some other places I've left them.  These others have been pristine and talked the talk but my collie X always came home with kc - sure sign of stress.  Go with your instincts and see how they interact with your dog/s before making a commitment. I'd also suggest an overnight stay to help you gauge how they are.

I use a sitter to come and live in. I have a local chap who does have a dog walking service but even though he has other dogs to walk during the day I find that he spends as much time as possible with the girls. Usually walking them at 7am then he has his breakfast and feeds them before he leaves at 9.30 ish. (Bear in mind most people want thier dogs walked mid day ) He comes back at lunchtime and gives them a short walk and is usually finished and home by 4.30pm. Then he is there for the night. Even though they are left longer than usual I feel they are much happier being in familiar surroundings and they are older now and much more settled, happy to sleep from 9.30 till 1 and 2 till 4.30 ish. I also have a great and very trusted friend who does some  sitting for me. Bless her she (and hubby) travel a long way to move in for me. Good house sitters are worth thier weight in gold. My usual chap does all sorts of odd days for me if we want a long day out or need to pop up to see the family for a long week end. The girls adore them both. If you find someone good then hang on to them and to be honest there are times when we go out for 4-5 hours and the girls would be fine left but I pay him the £20 to go and walk them and spend some time with then to keep him on my side as much as anything. I pay aprox £35 per night for a full house/dog sit and I know he gives me mates rates as I have used him since he started 3 years ago and we have become good friends.
My friend last year use Animal Aunts once and was very happy with the service provided but its really down to whoever comes. You need to vet vet vet the prospective sitter  !

Thanks for all your replies! After a lot of thought have decided against home sitters and going to book them into kennels! I feel there will be safer and I will worry less. Plus it would probably take me forever to write notes of their routine...

I have the girls routine printed out and taped to the dog cupboard in the dog room then God forbid if anything happened to me at least whoever took over would know what to do in an emergency. It has feeding quantities and times, vets details and details of who is responsible for the girls welfare. Lots of contact numbers and a run down of the daily routine.
My girls would hate kennels as they have never known anything but home except for odd nights away with me in hotels.
Aileen

I'm not surprised at all.  I know house/dog sitters that bring their other daycare dogs back during the day too.  Honestly, having heard so many of them talking I would secretly follow any dog walker/pet sitter to check what actually  happens.  I wouldn't go on recommendation either as most people think their own dog walker/pet sitter is great - if only they knew what I see!

I have 100% confidence in my sitters, your comments are a little rude JenP. I also have neighbours and they would have told me long ago if there was a problem. Trust is built up over time and getting to know your sitter.  I have no problem with mine and it works very very well for us all.

Merlot, my reply wasn't to you but to mixedpack, I'm sorry you felt offended.
I am pleased that you have found someone reliable and good - you are very lucky.  My point was that owners seldom know what is really going on and often think their dog walkers/sitters are wonderful when they are anything but.  I have done a great deal of research into this area because of problems locally and have spoken to many dog wardens and councils who police this.  I know a dog walker/sitter locally that has a string of convictions including breaking and entering but the owners are blissfully unaware.  I know of a dog walker/sitter that was driving a van without licence/insurance and tax.  Owners only discovered when they had to pick their dogs up from the van when the police stopped him and impounded the vehicle. I have friends who are great, responsible walkers/sitters, but it is a completely unregulated industry which requires no qualifications or knowledge.  I'm not saying there aren't good ones, just be very careful, that's all - all is seldom what it says on the tin.

I understand. Just in case anyone is looking in the Yeovil area Pet Patrol is the name of my sitter and he is 100% reliable and trustworthy.
https://www.facebook.com/PetPatrolYeovil/

> but it is a completely unregulated industry

My friend has recently become a dog walker/sitter/home boarder and certainly her she had to have a  crb check, be licensed and visited by the dog warden, and be insured.

She is a very experienced dog person, having owned 7 Dobermans (up to 4 at one time), as well as family dogs, my pack etc.