Do They Really Have a Team? What to Ask When a Pet Sitter Says They Have Staff

Not all pet sitting businesses are created equal—and when someone tells you they have a “team” or “staff,” it’s crucial to dig deeper. Your pets & your home deserve care that’s not just loving, but also legal, safe, ethical, & professional.

Unfortunately, the word "team" gets thrown around a little too loosely in the pet care world. Here's how to tell if a business is walking the walk—and how to protect yourself, your pets, & your peace of mind.

Why This Matters:

When you're trusting someone with your fur babies & home, you might be trusting more than just one person—you’re trusting their entire operation.

If something goes wrong, who is liable? Was the person coming into your home trained? Who trained the person coming into your home? Do they even work for the company?

Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to ask.

Questions to Ask When They Say “We Have a Team”

Ask these before booking:

• Are the people on your team employees or independent contractors?

• If they’re contractors, do they have their own pet care business, insurance, & policies?

• How do you vet your staff? (Background checks, drug tests, reference checks, etc.)

• What kind of training do they receive before working with pets & entering homes?

• Are they certified in pet first-aid or other relevant training?

• Are they insured & bonded under your business?

• Do you have written agreements & policies that they are required to follow?

Understanding the Differences

Employees (The Gold Standard)

What it means: Hired by the company & trained under their standards.

Covered under: The business’s insurance & bonding.

Why it matters: Employees are legally protected, consistently trained, & closely supervised. The business is responsible for their behavior & performance.

Ethical & Legal: This is the most professional and reliable structure.

Independent Contractors

What it means: Self-employed individuals who are not under the company’s direct control.

Covered under: Their own business insurance—if they have it.

Why it matters: The company you hired has no legal control over how the contractor does their job. That includes how they handle your pet, your home, or even your key.

Risky if... They aren’t properly insured, or if the company didn’t fully vet them. You could be left without recourse if something goes wrong.

“Helpers” (Friends, Family, Etc.)

What it means: These people are not employees or contractors—just people helping out.

No insurance. No agreements. No oversight.

Why it matters: If your pet is injured or your home is damaged, you could be left completely unprotected. These individuals aren’t bound by any rules or accountability standards.

Red Flag Alert: If the sitter can’t name who’s coming into your home or avoids direct questions—proceed with extreme caution.

🚩Red Flags to Watch For

• They use the term “team” or “staff” but can’t explain who’s on it.

• They avoid questions about employment status, insurance, or background checks.

• They say they “trust their gut” instead of performing real vetting.

• They refer to “help” as friends or family without formal arrangements.

• They don’t list these people on their website or provide any transparency.

What a Professional Pet Care Team Should Look Like

At Fairy Dogmothers, we proudly hire employees—not contractors, and definitely not “helpers.” Here's how we do things right:

• All team members are W-2 employees

• Insured & bonded under our business

• Fingerprint-based state & federal background checked & lab-based drug tested

• Certified in pet first-aid/CPCR

• Professionally trained before ever working solo

• Use secure pet sitting software with GPS verification & visit reports. Because your fur babies deserve the best—and you deserve peace of mind.

Trust Your Gut, But Ask the Questions

When in doubt, ask. A truly professional pet sitter won’t hesitate to answer your questions—& will be proud to tell you how they operate. Don’t be afraid to protect what matters most.

With love (& lots of treats),

Kaley Reinhart ✨🐾

CPPS & Fear Free Certified Professional

Owner, Fairy Dogmothers LLC

fairydogmothersllc.com | @fairydogmothersllc