I use Petsitting24, and although I have still not found the long term sitter I need* I have decided to keep my membership current. Finding reliable, trustworthy, responsible dog care can be very, very difficult here - especially if your dogs have 'special needs' - so IMO and IME all potential leads, connections, resources should be explored.
If you sign up for a year the cost is quite a bit less expensive than if you decide to look monthly.
And given that many people offering petsitting are only looking for a 'Nebenjob' or are only doing this until a job in their field comes along, a longer term membership makes sense as it's likely that you will need to to have a list of several sitters you can call on.
To maximize Petsitting24 I find it best to be very clear and detailed as to your requirements (for instance when you say home sitting do you mean care in your home or in the sitters?) and to post your ad in both German and English. I'd say at least half the people I've interviewed did not speak German, but had English as a second language, hence the recommendation to post in English as well.
And as with anytime you hire a household employee, you MUST do your own due diligence! References should be checked, trials set up before you travel, and have someone trusted 'keep an eye out' for you.
By the way, be aware that few sitters listed are set up as self employed, most will expect you to be the employer, with all the paperwork that goes with that. There are services that can make this aspect easier for you, such as Quitt.ch or I believe the '24' suite of platforms now offer one themselves.
So yes - I'd recommend signing up as this is the most well known platform, where you might have the best chance of finding someone.
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As for other sources - leave no stone unturned!
- Create a post in the Pet Trading section here.
- Post an ad at your vet's bulletin board, ask everyone you meet in the vet's waiting room.
- Ask every dog owner you know.
- Ask at your Hundeschule or Hundeverein, posting or passing out a flyer if that is allowed.
- If your Gemeindehaus has a community notice bulletin board or publishes a newsletter ask if you can put an ad there.
- You might try Rent-a-Rentner.ch, a platform connecting retired folks who want a bit of work on the side with those who need help. I've never used them as the listings do not give enough detail for me to be able to filter as I would like, but take a look for yourself. I think there is also a cost for this service.
- Because of the difficulty of finding someone reliable in Switzerland, many people simply foot the cost for relatives or friends back home to fly here to help out and then take a holiday here.
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If you have to travel during peak school holiday season you really need to book well in advance.
Good luck - hope you find the dog care you need!
*If anyone is up for a real challenge, PM me.