When pet parents hand over their keys and/or their furry bestie, they’re not just booking a service. They’re handing you their routines, their worries, and the tiny creature that runs their entire household.
The sitters who get rebooked aren’t always the cheapest or the flashiest. They’re the ones who make pet parents feel calm, confident and completely at ease. Loyalty starts there, and it grows fast when you know how to nurture it.
If you need some help to build up your loyal pet parent network, here are 10 ways to go beyond “being nice and showing up on time” and actually help build a fan club, not just a client list!
1. Treat every booking like a first date
A first booking sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s where trust is built, expectations are shaped, and pet parents decide whether you’re a one-time option or their chosen sitter!
Show up prepared, present, and genuinely curious. Ask thoughtful questions about routines, quirks, triggers, and preferences: Does the dog pull on walks when excited? Will I expect the cat to hide for the first 10 minutes? Is there a bedtime ritual that helps them settle? These details tell pet parents you’re paying attention.
Yes, there’s a pet profile the owner can fill out that will cover some of this detail, but it’s about engaging and being interested in making sure you have all bases covered.
It’s also about energy. Calm, confident, and unhurried goes a long way.
Tips for a stellar Meet & Greet:
- Come prepared with questions, not assumptions
- Show genuine interest in the pet, not just the booking details
- Observe behaviour as much as you listen
- Keep the interaction calm and pleasant for everyone (human and hairy)
2. Communication that feels reassuring, no robotic
Silence breeds anxiety. So does any lack of emotion. You’re looking after a furry little angel, after all. Your communication should reflect the love and care you’re giving the pet.
Consider the following when interacting with the client:
- Get a feel for how often to send updates (and what’s too much) – each pet parent can expect different levels of communication
Share what the pet parent actually wants to hear, like what you’ve been up to with the pet and how the pet seems to be feeling/settling in, for example. The magic formula for updates: food, mood, movement, and mischief levels
Snap and send photos of the pet’s time with you – a picture says a thousand words, remember!
3. Become the pet’s favourite human (after their pet parent)
Pets vote with enthusiasm, not words. Learning a pet’s love language – playtime, treats, cuddles or space – will fast-track you to position #2 on their favourites list!
Keeping routines consistent will also work wonders for the pet. They’re creatures of habit after all. And, think about any small moments you can share with the pet that make them excited when you walk in the door.
4. Do sweat the small stuff (like a pet parent would)
It’s never ‘just a small detail’. Remembering feeding times, behavioural quirks, walk routes and bedtime rituals will show that you’re engaged and in-tune with that client’s beloved family member.
If you’re completing a pet sitting booking (where you’re staying with the pet at their home), leaving the house exactly how you found it (or better) will show the client that you’re courteous and responsible beyond words.
Another small but mighty tip: Note anything unusual and flag it early. Whether it requires further attention or action (or not) doesn’t matter – it shows that you’re 110% on top of everything!
5. Add tiny “wow” moments
Loyalty lives in the unexpected. After years of supporting pet sitters on our platform, we’ve witnessed a number of things that really build a connection with an owner – which, in turn, converts them into a loyal pet parent:
- Leaving a handwritten note or end-of-stay summary
- Sending a final “they’re home safe and settled” message
- Sharing a funny moment or personality insight about their pet
- Optional extras that don’t cost money, just thoughtfulness
6. Handle hiccups like a pro
Things won’t always go perfectly. A late train. A spilled food container. A dog who suddenly decides recall is optional.
Mistakes don’t lose clients. Poor handling does. A loyal pet parent will respond best by how calmly and transparently you handle the situation.
Great sitters flag problems early, explain what happened without defensiveness, and share what they’ve done to fix it. Pet parents don’t expect perfection. They expect honesty, responsibility, and reassurance that their pet is safe and cared for.
Aim to:
- Communicate early, not after the booking ends
- Take ownership, even if the issue was out of your control
- Focus on solutions, not excuses
- Reassure first, explain second
When handled well, these moments often become the reason a client keeps rebooking you.
7. Be reliable before you’re likeable
Pet parents tend to come back to sitters who are predictable in the best possible way. They show up when they say they will. They follow instructions exactly. They don’t forget feeding details or “please don’t let them jump on the couch” rules. That consistency creates peace of mind, which is far more valuable than charm.
When a sitter proves they can be trusted with routines, schedules, and boundaries, pet parents stop worrying. And once the worry is gone, loyalty moves in.
Top tips to help show reliability:
- Show up on time, every time
- Stick to agreed routines without improvising
- Follow house rules, even if they seem small
- Do what you said you would do, consistently
Being dependable turns you from a nice option into the obvious choice! Brush up on these top tips for a fun but safe dog walk every time >
8. Think long-term, not transactional
A loyal pet parent wants a trusted go-to, not a one-off.
And while one-off bookings are fine, ongoing relationships are better.
Superstar sitters think beyond the current stay. They remember pets’ names, preferences, and past bookings. They check in ahead of busy holiday periods. They become familiar, not forgettable. Over time, pet parents stop “shopping around” and start planning around you.
This doesn’t mean constant messages or awkward self-promotion. It’s about thoughtful, well-timed touch points that remind clients you care and you’re available.
Insider tips that help create a loyal pet parent:
- Keep notes on pets to personalise future stays
- Reach out early for peak periods
- Acknowledge repeat bookings and say thank you
- Make clients feel remembered, not a source of cash
When clients feel known and valued, they don’t look elsewhere.
9. Professionalism = peace of mind
Pet parents aren’t just hiring a pet sitter. They’re buying a good night’s sleep while they’re away from their pet. Be sure to:
- Constantly keep your profile up-to-date and with a gallery full of photos
- Set clear boundaries and expectations before every booking
- Maintain a calm confidence – this is more reassuring to a pet parent than almost anything else!
For extra professionalism, grab yourself from Mad Paws merch to look the part too >
10. Loyalty starts with how you make them feel
Pet parents re-book sitters who make them feel relaxed, informed, and confident. Trust is built in moments, not marketing. For superstar Sitter status, the goal isn’t simply to get more bookings. It’s about holding onto a few great clients who book you again and again.
Every pet parent wants the same thing: fewer awkward “nice to meet you” handovers, and more “Fido had a great time, we’d love to book you again” messages.
Because when you’ve found the sitter, everything feels easier. The pet’s relaxed. The updates are reassuring. The handover is smooth. And heading away doesn’t come with a knot in your stomach.
For sitters, that kind of trust turns one-off bookings into familiar faces, wagging hellos, and clients who come back every time. The secret isn’t luck. It’s the small, thoughtful things done consistently well.
Keen to keep reading? Why not take a look at another article, 3 ways to promote your pet sitting business >
1 comment
Very good information worth the read thank you