If you’ve got a sit coming up over the cooler months, your listing needs a little more love than usual. Sitters are brilliant at adapting — but only if you give them what they need to know upfront.
Here’s a quick checklist of the things that often get left out of winter listings:
🔥 Heating
  • What type of heating do you have — ducted, split system, panel heaters, wood heater?
  • How do you operate it? Any quirks, timers, or zones?
  • What temperature do you leave it on overnight / when out?
  • Is there a “don’t touch” setting or a preferred thermostat range?
🪵 Firewood & solid fuel heaters
  • Where is the firewood stored?
  • Where is the kindling and how do you like it prepared?
  • Any rules about when to use the fire vs. the heating system?
  • Ash disposal — where and how?
🐾 Pet coat & warmth routines
  • Does your pet wear a coat? Which one, and when?
  • Are there indoor sleeping arrangements that change in winter (extra blanket, off the floor, heated bed)?
  • Any pets that feel the cold more than they let on?
🌅 Early sunsets & walks
  • What time does it get dark where you are?
  • Is there a torch/headlamp for evening walks, and where is it?
  • Are there routes you prefer after dark vs. daytime?
  • Do your pets have a flashing collar or light for low-visibility walks?
💧 A few more winter-specific ones worth adding:
  • How to prevent pipes freezing if there’s a cold snap
  • Whether outdoor plants need bringing in or protecting
  • Location of carbon monoxide / smoke detectors (especially if there’s a wood heater)
  • Whether the clothes dryer is available — line drying in winter isn’t always practical
  • Any damp or condensation spots the sitter should keep an eye on
The more detail in your listing, the better your match — and the more confident your sitter will feel from day one. 🙌