What to Look For in a Seguin Pet Sitter

Handing someone a house key and your pet’s routine is a bigger ask than it sounds like. Most of the time it goes fine. The point of asking a few questions upfront isn’t suspicion, it’s making sure “fine” is the actual outcome instead of a guess.

Bonded and Insured

Bonding protects you financially if something goes wrong (theft, property damage); insurance covers liability if the sitter or the pet is hurt during a visit. Not every sitter carries both, and not every sitter needs to for you to feel comfortable, but it’s a fair question to ask directly: “Are you bonded and insured?” A sitter who’s genuinely set up as a business will usually answer without hesitation.

Background Checks and Certifications

Some sitters undergo background checks as a matter of course; some hold pet-specific certifications like pet CPR and first aid, or third-party assessments through organizations like Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. None of these are legally required in Texas. They’re a signal of how seriously a sitter treats the work, not a guarantee, and worth asking about directly rather than assuming.

What They Actually Do During a Visit

“Pet sitting” means different things to different businesses. Some questions worth asking directly:

• How long is a standard visit, and can it be adjusted for your pet’s needs?
• Do they administer medication, and is there an extra charge for it?
• What do they do if your pet seems sick or injured during a visit? Do they have a relationship with a local vet, or will they use yours?
• Will you get an update (text, photo, app check-in) after each visit, or only if something’s wrong?

Checking References Locally

A sitter who’s been working in Seguin for a while will usually have real references you can call, not just star ratings. Ask for one or two. A five-minute conversation with a past client tells you more than a review page does, especially about the things reviews rarely mention: whether the sitter showed up on time, communicated clearly, and left the house the way they found it.

A five-minute conversation with a past client tells you more than a review page does.

Farm and Acreage Situations

If you’re on acreage with horses, goats, chickens, or other livestock in addition to a house pet, not every sitter is set up for it. Our guide to farm and acreage pet care in Seguin covers what’s different about hiring for that kind of property.

Meeting Before You Book

Most sitters worth hiring will do a short meet-and-greet before your first booking, at your home, with your pet present. This is your chance to see how they interact with your pet directly, ask any remaining questions in person, and walk them through anything specific about your house (where the food is kept, quirks about the alarm system, a pet that needs a slower introduction). If a sitter pushes back on a meet-and-greet entirely, that’s worth noting. Our checklist for preparing your home for a pet sitter covers what to have ready before that first visit.

Common Questions

Do pet sitters need a license in Texas?

No. Texas doesn’t issue a state license specifically for pet sitting. The credentials worth checking instead are bonding, insurance, background checks, and certifications like pet CPR/first aid or a third-party assessment through groups like Pet Sitters International.

Should I get a meet-and-greet before booking?

Most established sitters offer one, and it’s worth taking. It’s your chance to see how the sitter interacts with your pet and walk them through anything specific about your home before you commit.

What if my sitter has an emergency during my trip?

Ask about this before you book. A sitter with a documented backup plan, a colleague who can step in, is a meaningfully different setup than one with no plan at all.