How to check a carer can commit for the full stretch

A carer who cancels mid-holiday leaves you stranded and your pet confused. The stakes are high, so verification isn't optional—it's the only way to separate someone genuinely able to show up every day from someone who sounds keen on the phone but vanishes when life gets messy.

Registration and professional standing

Start by asking whether the carer holds any formal credentials. In South Africa, pet sitters don't require a single national licence, but some belong to industry bodies or have completed animal-care courses. Ask what qualifications they claim and request proof—a certificate or membership number you can verify independently. Even if they're not formally registered with anyone, they should be able to name the organisation they belong to or the course they completed. If they're vague or defensive, that's your signal to move on.

Check whether they're registered with SARS as a business. This isn't a guarantee of competence, but it shows they're operating above board and serious about the work. You can ask for their tax number and check the CIPC or SARS database if you're uncertain. A legitimate carer will have no problem providing this.

Track record and availability commitment

Ask directly: how many holidays have they covered end-to-end? Don't settle for "several"—get numbers and date ranges. Then phone two or three of those clients yourself and ask specifically whether the carer was present on every single day, whether they cancelled or rescheduled, and whether they communicated clearly about any changes. Avoid generic questions like "Were you happy?" Instead, ask: "Did they ever message to say they couldn't come?" and "If something unexpected came up, how did they handle it?"

Find out what happens if they fall ill or have a family emergency. This matters enormously. A professional carer should have a backup plan—another carer they trust, a friend in the business, or an arrangement with a local boarding facility as a fallback. If their answer is "I don't get ill" or "I'll just let you know," they've no contingency for the realities of a two-week holiday.

Also ask how many other clients they're juggling during your holiday period. If they're covering ten households, consistency becomes harder. If they're committed to fewer clients, they're less likely to cut corners or cancel.

Written agreement and cancellation terms

Before you hand over your keys, you need a written arrangement—even a brief one via email. It should spell out the exact dates, the times of daily visits (or the live-in schedule if applicable), the daily rate, and crucially, what happens if they can't show up. Do they have the right to cancel? Under what terms? What notice do they give? What's your recourse if they pull out?

Ask whether they charge a deposit or require payment upfront. Many do, and it's reasonable—it shows commitment from you too. But make sure the contract is clear about what happens if they cancel versus if you cancel. Some carers retain deposits if you back out late; fewer will if they abandon you.

How they handle actual problems

Give them a scenario: "My dog has diarrhoea on day three of my week away. What do you do?" Listen to how they answer. Do they message you immediately? Do they contact your vet? Do they have your vet's details already? A carer who pauses or seems unsure about escalation is a risk.

Ask them to walk through a typical day for your pet—what time they arrive, how long they stay, what they do, how they secure your home after they leave. Their answer should be specific and unhurried. They should ask about your pet's quirks, medical needs, and behavioural habits. If they're interviewing you closely, that's a good sign. If they're impatient to move on, it isn't.

Once you've verified their experience, checked references honestly, and seen a written agreement, you'll know whether they're genuinely locked in or just saying the right things. Verified carers on Strove show their credentials and client reviews upfront, which saves you the detective work and gives you proof of their track record before you book.