What do you ask during a video call?

[Jenny]

Hello everyone!

Here at Trusted Housesitters, we’ve found that arranging video calls before arranging a sit helps you find the right person. In fact, 87% of successful sits start with a video call.

More than 70% of members tell us that they always arrange a video call before a sit, so I thought it’d be useful to see if our experienced members can share some advice with newer members.

As an owner, sitter or combined member, why do you find video calls useful? What questions are you likely to ask during a video call?

Looking forward to seeing your replies.

Jenny

PS.

For more help, check out these useful Forum conversations:

• Is the pet parent the right fit for me?
• Are video calls important to you?
• What are the benefits of video calls?

And these handy blog links:

• How to organise a video call with a sitter
• Questions to ask during a video call

*Stats taken from survey data.

[idocsteve]

We ask and confirm that the sitter understands the scope of responsibility. Our house may be a bit more task heavy than the average sit because we’ve got chicken coops, guinea pig and rabbit cages and they’re at the back of the house at the top of a fairly steep incline with a few dozen steps to reach and we want to be sure the sitter is physically up for it.

We have an inground swimming pool that needs to be monitored and requires a bit of regular maintenance and we ask if the sitter is ok with the instructions which are not difficult but a bit more complex than say, feeding a pet twice per day.

We do a walk around during the video chat to go over all of this with them.

[OnTheRoadAgain]

@Jenny

As an owner, sitter or combined member, why do you find video calls useful?

The alternative to video (and audio) calls is written communications like emails and texts Written communications can be highly filtered to hide quite a bit whereas calls being more spontaneous give us better, more useful insights into the person(s) at the other end of the line. It’s hard to imagine leaning on our spidey sense solely through written communication.

We tend to ask open ended questions like “why pet sitting?”, “why our location?”, “what questions do you have about the sit?”. We get plenty of information out of the responses from those few simple questions to know whether there’s a mutually beneficial fit. If so, working through lesser details is pretty straightforward.

[WeRPAWsome]

Love this topic, @Jenny — video calls are where the real yes happens for us.

Here’s how we tend to approach them, distilled for the forum (borrowed from our own “homeowner journey” playbook):

For us, a video call isn’t an interview — it’s a shared cup of tea moment. We’re listening as much for tone and ease as for answers.

What we usually explore:

About the pet

We like to get a feel for their daily rhythm — meals, walks, bedtime, cuddles, quirks.

How they usually are when their humans are away, and anything that helps them settle.

Any medical needs or routines we should continue.

And gently covering the “hopefully never needed” question: if a vet visit came up, how would the owner like communication handled?

Around the home

Anything useful to know about routines, systems, or little house quirks.

Practicalities like food storage, household expectations, and whether there’s a plan in place for small unforeseen expenses or vet arrangements.

Local life

Favourite walks, cafés, markets, or spots the pet enjoys — this often tells us a lot about how the sit will feel day to day.

While they’re away

We check how much communication they like. We tend to send regular photos and short updates, and it’s good to align on that upfront.

Just as important:

We always leave plenty of space for homeowners to ask us questions. How we live, how home-based we are, how we handle responsibility — that mutual clarity builds trust fast.

By the end of a good video call, both sides usually know:

“Yes, this feels easy.”

And that’s when the best sits happen.

[ClaraKing]

love this! I had a few calls already where we both didn’t really know what to say, but agreed we had a very god gut feeling and it turned out always absolutely right

[idocsteve]

@ClaraKing

I had a few calls already where we both didn’t really know what to say

Think of it from a business perspective. You’re interviewing a prospective job applicant, and in this case, they’re interviewing you as well. What is said is not nearly as important as HOW it is said, along with body language, tone, etc.

Have a few questions in mind, it doesn’t have to be anything particularly important or even relevant.

Here’s a few of mine.

Have you ever been to Greece before? Are you familiar with the area and some of the sights to see? Would you be interested in me showing you around the area and maybe walking the dog together to see where we go and how we interact?

What sort of flexibility do you have, if any should plans suddenly change, through no fault of our own?

What sort of experience do you have with _______ (fill in the blank with relevant dog breeds or less common animals).

Are you ok with monitoring and maintaining a swimming pool? Ours isn’t all that much work but you may need to check water chemistry, and watch for possible issues with the filtration system, are you ok with that.

Can you climb steps (or do other physical activity that your property or pet care may require).

Etc.

[Franzl]

No, I completely disagree, we’re not looking for a job applicant.

We’re looking for someone who loves animals, treats them like kings and keeps our house properly clean, because that’s what they like to do, not because they get anything out of it. It is a mutual benefit agreement and has nothing to do with a job. We don’t see ourselves as landlords but as hosts and that’s a huge difference.

[idocsteve]

@Franzl

we’re not looking for a job applicant.

It was a rough analogy, nothing more. I was equating the interview process with what happens during a job interview, I didn’t say it WAS a job interview in fact I went further to clarify petsitting is a more mutual exchange.

[MaggieUU]

I did a quick tally through my past sits and almost all had videochats or I was nearby and could do in-person visit.
That being said, if we are going to do this, then I want it to be an efficient and productive meeting for all. I have a generic template of questions/topics that can be customized for the call. This topic has been discussed in other threads and I have ‘borrowed’ from other members’ templates and I believe it’s covered on the THS site also. I keep the document for future reference too. It is a bit of a disappointment when the HO shrugs their shoulders and says ‘so what do you want to talk about?’ when we begin the chat. Like they didn’t put much thought into our chat.
As for content, my discussion outline is very similar to @WeRPAWsome.

[Betterqualitysits]

Yes, I absolutely agree that it is so important actually to have video calls. One, it really gives you a sense of the person. Just a phone call does not give you as much information as being able to see them and see their reactions, to read their body language.

So a lot of it for me is that watching them and seeing how they react. If they are warm, concerned about my comfort; this is as a pet sitter I’m speaking. If they are impatient, if they treat the video call like an interview, like a business interview, if they are irritated when I ask for clarity about things they may have said in their posting. So a lot of of it is that and that helps me determine because I found out that it is really important for me to have kind people that are interested in my welfare as well as caring for their home and their pets.

I am a little new to taking this a lot more seriously. I did take some sits previously without a video call and regretted it. I look at what they said in their listing and if I have any questions, I ask them. Even if it seems like I’m being too particular, but it’s better to know before you agree to a sit. For example, I once asked a sit, not on this site who had posted that they needed a day to show me around their property, and I asked them what was involved and what they needed to show me and I said it very respectfullyand they immediately got defensive and would not let it go throughout the video chat. Referring back to it several times with irritation. Because I had told them usually it only takes about an hour. And they were very defensive about that so that really brought out this aspect in their personality. That would then be there. Should I run into other problems during the sit.

I asked them how long they’re two cats could be alone comfortably. What they would like they said we want you to treat our cats as your own, which is what I would always do. However,I asked them how long their two cats could be alone comfortably. What they would like they said we want you to treat our cats as your own, again with irritation; which is what I would always do. However, I don’t know what they’re used to as far as being alone during the day.
I always check about parking and how quiet it is in the neighborhood. What kind of quirks they might have in their house. For me, I can’t walk dogs that lunge on leash so I ask about that.

I now think that it is important to ask lots of questions. Any questions that you want. And that will give you more information about them to their response. Of course, asking them with respect and kindness, and keeping that interaction, warm and easy-going and friendly, at least on your side; but you will be interacting with these people and throughout the sit, and it’s important to know how they’re gonna react to any possible situations. And you can read that often in the video call.

Also, I think that if somebody is really nervous and telling you, they’re really nervous because they’ve never had a sitter before and they’re telling you in a slightly demanding way, that is a really big red flag. Also, if they are cold and directive that is another big red flag. Also, if they are really lackadaisical about their pets needs and don’t really have an idea about their pets needs, that is another big red flag. These. are just from my experiences.

For me, I want an informed and warm and kind homeowner who is as interested in my comfort at their home as the well-being of their pets and their home.

Oh another thing I’ve learned to ask is what they would like me to do. Should there be any emergency vet situation. Or just a vet situation sometimes people are not available by phone because they’re traveling and it’s a different time. So I ask them really specifics about what they want me to do, should their pet get sick. I asked them who I should speak with if I can’t reach them. I ask them what kind of situations they would like me to just go ahead and take them to the vet and then very importantly, I asked them how payment will be handled as far as the vet so I don’t have to pay for something and then be concerned about getting reimbursed. People can set up credit cards at their vet. Of course, the ideal is to speak with the homeowner immediately once the pet seems sick, and then get directions from the homeowner immediately but I have also had homeowners who say oh you should call my son first and then I say who should I call second and some homeowners who say just take the cat to the vet we are very good friends and the credit card is set up at the vet. So that’s an important thing to get straight.

[PetSitterBug]

Job interview, first date… the point is, whatever terminology one uses, both parties are exploring and determining if the fit is right.

We feel in person video chats are very important and won’t proceed without one. So much can hidden, misinterrpretted via the written word. We have a list of standard questions which we customize based on the listing.

We also make it very clear that we have certain requirements that must be met in order for us to proceed. These are all phrased in such a way that makes it clear our objective is to be the best sitters we can be.

[BonnyinBrighton]

As a retired therapist- I don’t have a list of questions but I do have some conversation starters exploring certain themes-I keep it open ended allowing the HO to reveal their views/attitudes and the language they choose to use about their home and pets. For us a bit of self deprecating humour goes a long way, any entitled bragging or a puffed up ego is very off putting. Red flags are quickly revealed, when you’re simply discussing various pet care regimes or the house/garden in a real conversation. I try to imagine a crisis happening and how I’d work with the HO as a team to resolve the issue or find a solution, this is why the relationship dynamic is important to me. Mostly hubby who is a retired Engineer asks about fuse boxes and water system stop valves ! Eyes roll

[Jenny]

Hey everyone!

Love this discussion. Thank you for sharing your perspectives.

A big takeaway here is how much a video call adds beyond messages alone.

It’s also been great to see the range of approaches. Some members value a bit of structure, while others prefer a relaxed chat.

The practical tips shared here are really helpful too. It sounds like planning for vet visits and emergencies, talking through physical requirements and routines, and paying attention to reactions as well as answers all help avoid surprises later. Several of you also highlighted how important warmth, curiosity and humour can be, and how off-putting entitlement can feel!

To keep the conversation going:

What is one question you always ask on a video call that hasn’t been mentioned yet?
Or was there a moment on a call that made you think “yes, this is the right fit”?

Looking forward to hearing more of your experiences and insights. Thanks for all you’ve shared so far!

[sandydandy]

Thinking about pet behavior… it’s delicate but I have to find out if the cat’s prone to scratching my luggage, and if the cat is prone to biting when being overstimulated by being petted! This was on one sit I had with two different cats! The scratcher also peed on the bed! And no mention of this in the video chat. So I guess it goes into the video questions, but sounds a bit touchy. Maybe just ask if the cats have any unusual or agressive behaviors? I’ve been bitten by two different cats, neither was more than a small skin break, but both unexpected. I really love all the suggestions and will be so much more prepared from now on. I’ve also learned to ask for a tour of the bathroom and kitchen, as cleanliness is soooooo subjective!

[ExploreDreamDiscover]

I discuss the dates to make sure they are accurate and I find out when they will be leaving and returning to the residence. I ask about when I will get the keys (sometimes its a code entry) and if we will hand over in person day of, or meet the day before. Sometimes I let myself in after they have left. It’s varried greatly.

If the listing has been vague about the location I ask for a neighborhood and/or a landmark.