Every feature on Tail Tribe — from sitter verification to booking protection — is designed to keep your pet safe and give you complete peace of mind.
Every sitter passes our 3-document identity and address verification process
Successful stays completed across South Africa since Tail Tribe launched
Most sitters respond to booking requests within an hour
Our team responds to all safety concerns within 4 business hours
Trusted sitters available across South Africa from Cape Town to Limpopo
Only 62% of sitter applications pass our full verification process
No sitter can accept a single booking until they have passed our full verification process.
Every sitter application is manually reviewed by our team. We check their experience, home setup, and the types of pets they can accommodate before they even reach the document stage.
Only book sitters who display the blue verified badge on their profile. This confirms their identity and address have been reviewed and approved by our team.
For boarding or house sitting, always arrange a meet-and-greet before the stay. This lets you assess the sitter's home and see how they interact with your pet before committing.
Stay calm. Act fast. Here is the exact order of steps to follow.
SA Emergency Vet Numbers
SAPS
We review our verification and safety processes every quarter. As threats evolve so does our approach to keeping the Tail Tribe community safe.
Every Tail Tribe member can report a concern at any time. Reports are reviewed by a human team member — never just an algorithm — within 24 hours.
Do not wait — contact our support team directly.
Use the Help Centre form — Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm SAST
Sitters must submit a valid South African ID, Smart ID card, or passport. We verify the document is authentic, current, and matches the applicant before approving their listing.
A valid South African driver's license is required from all sitters. This confirms identity through a second official document and is especially important for sitters who offer dog walking and transport services.
All sitters must submit proof of address dated within the last 3 months — a utility bill, bank statement, or municipal account. This confirms the sitter lives where they say they do.
Only after all three documents are approved by a human reviewer does the sitter receive their verified badge and become visible to pet owners. The badge is permanently displayed on their profile and search card.
Tell your sitter about medications, allergies, behavioural triggers, and your vet's contact details before drop-off. The more they know, the safer your pet will be.
Never pay sitters directly outside the platform. Paying through Tail Tribe protects you with our booking guarantee and gives you recourse if something goes wrong.
Take photos of the pet when they arrive and when they leave. This protects you and the owner if any questions arise about the pet's wellbeing during the stay.
Always ask for the owner's vet contact before a boarding or house sitting stay starts. In an emergency, minutes matter — you need to be able to act immediately.
Send the owner a photo update at least once a day. Regular updates build trust, reassure anxious owners, and are one of the top reasons sitters get 5-star reviews.
If a pet has aggression issues, medical needs beyond your experience, or the owner gives you a bad feeling — it is always okay to decline. Your safety and the pet's safety come first.
Tail Tribe support responds to safety concerns within 4 business hours through the Help Centre
All personal data including verification documents is stored securely and governed by South Africa's POPIA legislation. We never sell or share your data with third parties.
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