# I didn't know finding a pet sitter was going to be hard **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 13, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455 "2014-08-13T19:22:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/1 "2014-08-13T19:22:25Z")
We just moved to downtown LA and need a pet sitter. I can’t believe how hard it is just to get these people to return a phone call, even just to say they can’t do it. I am beginning to wonder if they are all just one pet sitter who just happens to hate me. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/2 "2014-08-13T19:48:28Z")
Try [https://www.petsit.com/](https://www.petsit.com/) or [http://www.petsitters.org/](http://www.petsitters.org/) ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/3 "2014-08-13T19:49:06Z")
Word of mouth recommendations are your best bet, but I would also try [Care.com](https://www.care.com/). They should have listings for pet sitters in your area. Look for people with good response rates and recommendations. Or you could post an ad yourself. A while back I needed a housekeeper and had a similar problem getting people to call me back. So I just posted an ad on [Care.com](http://Care.com) and got a response right away. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/4 "2014-08-13T21:05:23Z")
I’ve had good luck going through my vet’s office. I found one of the techs does petsitting, the home visit type, which is great since one of the cats is diabetic and requires shots 2X daily. It’s a little pricey but way worth it. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/5 "2014-08-13T21:09:08Z")
I finally got a call back, so that’s good. We tried word of mouth first, but none of the people we know downtown have used one. We just moved, so our vet is in the wrong area. That was going to be my next try, though. I’d already looked at the services like [pettsitters.org](http://pettsitters.org) and Angie’s List (but not Care. I might check Care out for finding a new vet). Thanks for the ideas! ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2014, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/6 "2014-08-13T21:16:56Z")
I went to our local vet’s office to se if they had names. Got a great one! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/7 "2014-08-14T16:48:44Z")
I know some folks who have had good luck with [SitterCity](https://www.sittercity.com/pet-sitting) - both for pets and kids. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/8 "2014-08-14T18:31:52Z")
Kind of interesting. “Downtown LA” is one of the 3 places in the US that I would assume one could find ANYTHING! The others being Manhattan and Downtown Chicago. If there’s anything else you can’t find there, I’d be interested in a running list 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/9 "2014-08-14T19:50:39Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Kind of interesting. “Downtown LA” is one of the 3 places in the US that I would assume one could find ANYTHING! > > The others being Manhattan and Downtown Chicago. > > If there’s anything else you can’t find there, I’d be interested in a running list 🙂 So far, the only thing I haven’t found is really good shawarma/tarna. But we haven’t been here long. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/10 "2014-08-14T20:43:04Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Kind of interesting. “Downtown LA” is one of the 3 places in the US that I would assume one could find ANYTHING! Until very recently DTLA was strictly a 9am-5pm place catering to businessfolk with very few amenities after hours for people living there. It’s gotten a lot better, but it’s no where close to more traditional big cities. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/11 "2014-08-14T21:17:40Z")
My daughter is a great pet sitter! You’d only have to pay airfare and expenses… ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/12 "2014-08-14T23:27:07Z")
Define dowtown LA 🙂 I grew up there, and my company has an office there. I’d be glad to make recommendations next time you get stuck. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2014, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/13 "2014-08-14T23:47:36Z")
What sort of petsitting are you looking for? Will they come to your house to stay? Is it for a night or two, or for a longer period? That sort of thing can often determine how easy it is to find someone. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2014, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-know-finding-a-pet-sitter-was-going-to-be-hard/695455/14 "2014-08-15T05:42:16Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Kind of interesting. “Downtown LA” is one of the 3 places in the US that I would assume one could find ANYTHING! > > If there’s anything else you can’t find there, I’d be interested in a running list 🙂 Giants and Raiders fans. 😉