This page explains how service requests are typically shared, how bookings move from request to confirmation, and scheduling practices many contractors find helpful for staying organized and avoiding issues.
As an independent contractor, you always decide:
Which requests you accept or decline
Your availability, service area, and workload
Whether you take short-notice or holiday requests
How you structure your schedule day-to-day
You’re never obligated to accept a request.
When a new request comes in, you may see it in one of two places:
Posted in the Slack group you’re part of, or
Sent to you directly through Time To Pet
Requests include the dates, location, visit type, and any notes the client has shared so you can decide whether it’s a good fit.
Many sitters find it helpful to review requests and respond as soon as they reasonably can — whether that response is yes or no.
Early responses help the office:
Confirm availability with the client
Avoid holding dates unnecessarily
Move on quickly if another sitter is needed
If you’re unsure or need more information before deciding, it’s okay to say so.
Here’s how the process typically flows:
The office lets the client know you’re available, shares your website profile with them so they can determine if they think it might be a good fit or not, and asks them to confirm they’d like to move forward.
During this time, you do not need to reach out to the client yet.
If the client confirms, the office sends a confirmation message in Time To Pet letting them know you’ll be in touch to schedule a meet & greet (you’re copied on this message).
You then reach out to the client through Time To Pet to schedule the meet & greet.
Once the meet & greet is scheduled, messaging the office allows us to add it to your schedule so you’re paid for the meeting.
If you’ve sat for the client previously:
The office will reach out to you through Time to Pet with a copy of the return client’s request to see if you are interested in taking it or not
ok the sittings directly on your Time To Pet schedule.
A new meet & greet is often not needed.
You may need to coordinate key pickup again if access has changed.
If you pick up keys or make a separate trip related to access, letting the office know ensures you’re paid appropriately.
While everyone’s schedule looks different, experienced sitters often recommend:
Only accepting requests you’re 100% confident you can commit to
Being realistic about how many visits you can comfortably handle in a day
Leaving buffer time for traffic, delays, and personal needs
Overbooking increases stress and the likelihood of mistakes. Knowing your own limits is part of running a sustainable business.
Your chosen service area has a big impact on:
Daily driving time
Vehicle wear, mileage, and fuel costs
How many requests you can reasonably accept
Many sitters find that staying within a well-defined geographic area helps keep schedules manageable and profitability predictable.
You should never feel obligated to accept:
Requests that feel unsafe
Homes that appear extremely unclean
Situations that could jeopardize your health or well-being
If you would like to decline a request, please notify the client and our office so we can either reassign to another sitter or decline altogether. We always appreciate feedback on clients for future reference.
Short-notice and holiday requests are more time-sensitive and higher demand.
Many sitters:
Decide in advance which holidays they’re open to working
Limit the number of last-minute requests they accept
Factor in travel time, traffic, and personal commitments
Short-notice fees and holiday terms vary by sitter and are communicated to clients in advance.
Sitters often recommend:
Blocking off time you know won’t work.
Reaching out to scheduled clients a few days before their trip to confirm any routine changes
These habits help reduce surprises and day-of confusion.
View the article below that explains how to input time off in the Time to Pet app so that our office doesn’t send you requests for those dates.
If we don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe, we may check with other sitters so the client isn’t delayed.
Not responding does not negatively affect your standing — it simply allows us to keep things moving.
If your availability or circumstances change after accepting a request:
Early communication gives everyone the best chance to find a solution.
Scheduling looks different for every sitter. This page reflects how requests typically flow and what many contractors have found helpful — you’re always free to decide what works best for your business.
