Pet safety guidelines for sitters

As a Petbnb sitter, you are entrusted with the care and safety of someone’s beloved pet. Ensuring their well-being isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a privilege. To help you provide the best care possible, we’ve created this guide with essential safety tips, best practices, and a clear framework for maintaining the highest standards on our platform. Let’s work together to make every pet feel safe, loved, and happy while they’re in your care.

General pet safety guidelines

1. Create a pet safe environment

• Pet-proof your space: Remove hazards such as toxic plants, exposed wires, sharp objects, or small items a pet could swallow.

• Secure boundaries: Check that doors, fences, and windows are secure to prevent escapes.

• Designate a safe zone: Provide a comfortable and quiet area where the pet can relax and feel secure.

2. Follow the owner's instructions

• Dietary needs: Stick strictly to the feeding schedule and dietary restrictions provided by the pet’s owner.

• Medication: If the pet requires medication, ensure you understand the dosage and timing. Always double-check with the owner if unsure.

• Exercise routine: Match the pet’s usual activity level to prevent overexertion or stress.

3. Supervise play and interactions

• Avoid risky toys: Steer clear of toys that could break into small pieces or pose a choking hazard.

• Monitor interactions: If there are other pets or children in the home, supervise all interactions to prevent accidents or aggression.

• Know stress signals: Learn to recognize signs of discomfort, fear, or aggression in the pet, such as growling, excessive barking, or hiding.

4. Stay alert outdoors

• Use a secure leash: Always keep dogs on a leash during walks unless in a designated, safe off-leash area.

• Monitor surroundings: Watch out for dangers like busy roads, unfamiliar dogs, or harmful substances (e.g., antifreeze or discarded food).

• Weather awareness: Protect pets from extreme temperatures by providing water, shade, or limiting outdoor time as needed.

5. Emergency preparedness

• Know the nearest vet: Locate the nearest veterinary clinic and have their contact details handy.

• First aid knowledge: Familiarize yourself with basic pet first aid, including how to handle choking or minor injuries.

• Emergency contacts: Keep the owner’s contact information readily available for any urgent decisions.

NOTE

Please keep in mind that a pet may behave differently with the sitter than at home. This is because the pet is in a new, unfamiliar environment, which can cause stress or curiosity. Behavior that is normally predictable, such as eating, sleeping, or playing, may change. This can result in dogs barking or puppies who are already house trained at home but may still have an accident with the sitter. Please take this into account! For this reason, we always recommend a meet and greet and/or trial (half) day.

Actions leading to immediate removal from Petbnb

To maintain a trustworthy and safe community, we have clear guidelines for sitters regarding the care of pets. If we have concerns about the safety of a pet and there is deliberate negligence, the sitter will be immediately removed from our platform.

• Neglect or abuse: Any instance of physical harm, deliberate neglect, or abuse of a pet will result in permanent removal from the platform. The sitter must ensure the pet's dietary needs and medication are always met.
• Reckless behavior: Endangering a pet through negligence, such as leaving them in unsafe situations without supervision. You are paid to care for a pet – so the expectation is that you do not leave the pet alone unless this has been discussed with the owner.
• Inappropriate use of the home (house sitting): Organizing parties, gatherings, or any other inappropriate use of the owner's home is strictly prohibited. The same applies to any form of vandalism, theft, or damage to property. Sitters are required to treat the owner's home with respect and leave it in the same condition they found it.