Our Mission
The International Dog Sitter is a resource site for dog owners who travel internationally and want the best possible care for their pets while they're away. We cover everything from finding a trustworthy professional pet sitter to navigating the paperwork required to travel internationally with your dog.
Our goal is simple: give dog owners the information they need to travel with confidence. That means honest, practical guidance on:
- Choosing and vetting a professional dog or pet sitter
- Understanding what responsible pet sitting looks like
- Preparing your dog (and your home) for an extended owner absence
- Navigating international pet travel requirements when you want to bring your dog along
- Staying connected with your pet from abroad
Who This Resource Is For
This site is written for dog owners who travel internationally — whether that's frequent business travel, extended sabbaticals, or long-term international relocations. If you've ever spent a transatlantic flight worrying about whether your dog was okay, this resource is for you.
We also help people who are considering becoming professional pet sitters, covering the responsibilities, skills, and professionalism the role requires.
Why Trust This Resource?
Our guides are grounded in authoritative sources including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the ASPCA, and USDA APHIS pet travel guidelines. We update our content regularly as international pet import regulations and best practices evolve.
We do not offer booking services, represent specific sitters, or receive commissions from pet care providers. Our goal is to be an independent, trustworthy reference — nothing more.
Topics We Cover
Browse our core guide categories:
- Finding a Sitter – Vetting, interviews, red flags, contracts
- Professional Pet Sitting – What it involves, what's reasonable to expect
- International Pet Travel – Documents, vaccines, microchips, airline rules
- Traveling with Dogs – Carriers, in-cabin vs. cargo, health certificates
- Dog Care Basics – Keeping routines stable, managing separation anxiety
Have a question we haven't covered? Use the contact page to suggest a topic.