GentlePaws.pet Pet Owner Safety GuideGentlePaws.
Last updated: October 2026
GentlePaws.pet is a directory of independent pet sitters. We do not screen, verify, or endorse sitters. To help you choose safely and confidently, follow these recommended steps:
1. Conduct Your Own Screening
GentlePaws.pet does not screen, verify or endorse any sitter. That is not a formality — it means the screening is yours to do, and a good sitter will expect you to do it.
A sitter who takes the work seriously screens you too. They will ask about your pet’s size, behavior around other animals, and any history of biting, because they have their own pets and their own home to protect. A sitter who asks you nothing is not being easy to work with. They are telling you something.
Questions worth asking every sitter
About their experience
- Have you cared for a pet my pet’s size and breed before?
- How long have you been pet sitting, and is it your main work?
- What would make you decline a pet? What have you declined before?
About their home, if your pet is staying there
- What pets of your own live in the home, and how do they usually react to a visiting pet?
- Who else lives there or comes and goes?
- Is the yard fenced? Are there stairs?
- How many other pets will be staying at the same time as mine?
About care and emergencies
- Can you give medication? Injections, if my pet needs them?
- What do you do if my pet becomes ill or is injured?
- Which veterinarian would you use, and how far is it?
- How quickly would I hear from you, and how?
- Will my pet ever be left alone, and for how long?
About the arrangement
- Do you require a meet-and-greet before the first booking?
- How and how often will you send updates?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- What is your rate for exactly what I need, including any extra pets?
Read the answers, not just the words
Take seriously a sitter who says no to something. A sitter who will not take an unvaccinated dog, or who declines a pet who has bitten, is applying the same judgment that protects your pet from the other animals in their care.
Be equally direct in return. Tell the sitter about anxiety, escape behavior, resource guarding or a bite history before the meet-and-greet, not after. A sitter who knows what they are dealing with can prepare for it. One who finds out on the first night cannot.
2. Meet Before Booking
- Schedule a meet-and-greet
- Observe how the sitter interacts with your pet
- Discuss routines, feeding, medication, and behavior
3. Provide Clear Instructions
- Write down feeding schedules
- Provide emergency contacts
- Share vet information
- Explain any special needs or behaviors
4. Secure Your Home
- Provide only necessary access
- Store valuables safely
- Use cameras or monitoring devices if desired
5. Check In During Care
- Request updates or photos
- Confirm arrival and departure times
- Address concerns promptly
6. After the Visit
- Inspect your home
- Check your pet’s condition and behavior
- Provide feedback to the sitter
7. Remember
All interactions, services, and agreements occur directly between you and the sitter. GentlePaws.pet does not participate in bookings, payments, or verification. Always use your best judgment when selecting a sitter.