🐾 Your Pet Sitter Made a Mistake—Now What? (What Pet Owners Should Really Look For)
Let’s talk about something most pet care companies won’t. Mistakes. Because whether you’re working with a professional company or using platforms like Rover or Wag!… mistakes can happen.
The question isn’t:
👉 Will a mistake ever happen?
The real question is:
👉 What happens next?
Because that’s what actually tells you who you can trust.
First – Take a Breath
If something went wrong during a visit, it’s completely valid to feel:
- Frustrated
- Worried
- Protective of your pet
That reaction comes from love – and that matters.
But before jumping to conclusions, it helps to pause and look at how the situation was handled, not just the mistake itself.
Not All Mistakes Are the Same
There’s a difference between:
- A small oversight
- A communication breakdown
- Or a true safety issue
Most situations fall into that first category – human error, not neglect. And how your pet sitter responds will tell you everything you need to know.
What a Professional Response Looks Like
When a mistake happens, a professional pet care provider should:
✔️ Address It Quickly
You shouldn’t have to chase them down.
✔️ Be Honest (Without Defensiveness)
A trustworthy sitter will say:
👉 “Here’s what happened.”
👉 “Here’s what we’re doing to fix it.”
✔️ Take Responsibility
Accountability matters more than perfection.
✔️ Put Your Pet First
Their safety and well-being always come first.
What You Should Ask Yourself After a Mistake
Instead of asking:
👉 “Did something go wrong?”
Ask:
👉 “How did they handle it?”
And take a step back to evaluate the situation clearly:
- Was your pet hurt?
- Was anyone hurt?
- Was anything damaged in your home?
- Was this a communication issue—or a true safety concern?
Because not every mistake carries the same weight.
A Real-Life Example (That Happens More Than You Think)
Let’s talk about something simple—but very common:
👉 A visit happens… and someone is unexpectedly home. This can create confusion on both sides:
- Was the visit still needed?
- Should the sitter have entered?
- Did communication get crossed?
But there’s also an important layer many pet owners don’t realize:
For a professional sitter, this can become a safety concern. If someone is in the home and we weren’t informed:
- We don’t know who that person is
- We don’t know if they’re supposed to be there
- We don’t know if they’re ill, unfamiliar with the pets, or not expecting us
That uncertainty matters. It’s one of the reasons we ask for detailed onboarding information – like who has access to the home and even a list of vehicles associated with the household. It helps us recognize when something is expected versus something that isn’t.
Because our job isn’t just to care for your pets – it’s also to:
- Protect your home
- Keep our team safe
- Make informed decisions in real time
It Goes Both Ways – Communication Matters.
This is the part that’s important – and often overlooked.
Have you ever:
- Made a last-minute change and forgot to update your sitter?
- Had someone stop by the house without mentioning it?
- Updated routines verbally but not in writing?
- And your sitter still showed up… and still did their job?
It happens more than you might think.
Professional sitters are working with the information provided to them—and when that information isn’t current, it can create gaps that aren’t immediately obvious.
A Real Example From Our Experience
We believe in transparency, so here’s a real situation:
We had a client whose dog had recently been placed on heart medication. Unfortunately, that update was never added to the portal before the client left for an international trip.
From our side, everything appeared routine. But during visits, Savanna noticed the dog seemed more lethargic than usual. That’s when something didn’t feel right.
After taking a closer look, the medication was found behind bags of treats – and it hadn’t been administered because we were never informed it had been prescribed.
Once the client was reached, they immediately realized the oversight and apologized.
Why This Matters
This situation wasn’t about blame. It was about:
- Observation
- Experience
- Communication
Because even the best systems rely on one thing:
👉 Accurate, up-to-date information
The Truth Most People Don’t Talk About
Perfection isn’t the standard – professionalism is.
“To err is human… to forgive is dog.” 🐾
Our pets are incredibly forgiving.
As humans, we just need to make sure we’re:
- Honest
- Accountable
- Always improving
Because that’s what builds real trust.
Where Apps Can Fall Short
Red Flags to Watch For 🚩
- Avoiding communication
- Defensiveness
- Lack of accountability
- Repeated mistakes
Green Flags That Matter More Than Perfection 💚
- Honest communication
- Ownership of mistakes
- A plan to improve
- Genuine care for your pet
Final Thoughts
If your pet sitter made a mistake, it doesn’t automatically mean you chose the wrong provider.
But how they respond? That tells you everything.
💜 At The Savvy Sitter, we believe in:
- Clear communication
- Accountability
- Continuous improvement
See how our in-home pet care compares to pet care apps
Because your pet deserves care you can trust – even when things aren’t perfect.
About the Author:
Savanna Westwood
Savanna Westwood is the Owner and Founder of The Savvy Sitter, Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, LLC. She has grown up with animals all her life and enjoys spending time with them. Savanna has lived in the Winter Garden and Windermere Area for over 30 years. When she is not taking care of Fur Friends, one can find her reading, practicing archery, riding, and devising ways to provide additional and excellent services to clients. Savanna is a Certified Professional Pet Sitter with Pet Sitter International's CPPS certification and also holds certification in Pet First Aid and CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals.
