How Guardiens and peer-to-peer house-sitting work
The 60-second answer
Peer-to-peer house-sitting, also known as in-home pet care or community pet-sitting, involves having someone care for your pet in your home while you're away, with no payment between parties. Guardiens is the French platform that makes this practice simple and safe. The owner posts an ad, selects a guardian (sometimes called a pet-sitter or house-sitter), meets them in person before validation, and then leaves with peace of mind. The platform remains free for owners. Guardians subscribe to a monthly, cancelable membership. Small mutual aid missions are accessible to all members. See our complete guide to small mutual aid missions.
Why peer-to-peer house-sitting is growing in France
Entrusting your pet to someone else when you go on vacation is the silent anxiety of millions of French people every summer. Cats refuse to eat, dogs get depressed in collective kennels, extended hotel stays increase costs, and family isn't always available. For a long time, there wasn't really an intermediate solution between professional boarding and calling a trusted person. House-sitting fills that gap.
The pet market in France is significant. According to the FACCO-Odoxa 2024-2025 barometer, there are 9.7 million dogs and 16.7 million cats in households, and 61% of French people own a pet. The pet care sector alone (boarding facilities, dog-sitters, platforms) is estimated at approximately 4.9 billion euros per year in France, according to the Prom'Animal association, a volume that has only increased in recent years with the growing humanization of companion animals.
Regarding usage, 74% of French people plan to go on vacation or a weekend trip during summer 2024, according to an OpinionWay survey conducted for Atout France and ADN Tourisme. All these departures raise the same question: who will take care of the pet? The SantéVet survey on owner habits shows the trade-offs: 69% entrust their pet to a family member, 22% to friends, 20% to a pet-sitting service, and only 8% to a local person. It is this last category, the 8%, that Guardiens aims to grow, by fostering trust among local people.
This is a dynamic we have observed for five years with Elisa, through dozens of pet-sitting assignments in France. And it is this very real and simple practice that we wanted to properly facilitate with Guardiens.
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According to FACCO-Odoxa 2024, the total number of pets in France has increased 2.5 times since 1976, reaching 79 million today. This is one of the largest pet populations in Europe.
Vous êtes propriétaire d'animaux ou vous aimez les animaux ?
How it works in practice: the 7 stages of a pet-sit
A Guardiens pet-sit always follows the same process. Here are the seven stages, in order.
1. Post a pet-sitting advertisement
The owner creates their profile, describes their pet and home, indicates the dates of the pet-sit, and publishes the ad. This is free, non-binding, and with no limit on the number of ads. The ad becomes visible to guardians in the relevant geographical area.
2. Receive applications from guardians
Subscribed guardians see the ad in their feed and can apply. An application includes a message and the guardian's complete profile: photo, experience, previous pet-sits, evaluations. The owner receives each application and chooses who they want to engage in discussion with.
3. Communicate via messaging to get acquainted
The two parties communicate using the platform's messaging system. The owner asks questions, the guardian answers, and they discuss the pet, the accommodation, and routines. There is no imposed duration for this stage. Some validate in two days, others take a week to be sure.
4. Meet in person before the pet-sit
This is the moment that changes everything. Before a pet-sit is validated, the owner and guardian meet in person. A coffee, a walk with the dog, a dinner, the format doesn't matter. What we're looking for is direct confirmation that personalities click, that the pet is comfortable, and that expectations are aligned. On Guardiens, this meeting is not a suggestion, it's the rule.
5. Confirm the pet-sit and prepare for the stay
Once the meeting is validated by both parties, the pet-sit is confirmed on the platform. The owner prepares their house guide: where the kibble is, the pet's habits, who to call in case of need, the Wi-Fi codes. This guide is shared via private messaging.
6. During the pet-sit
The guardian arrives on the agreed dates, settles in, and takes care of the pet and the house. During the pet-sit, they can send photos and updates via messaging. The owner remains reachable. If something unexpected occurs (pet refusing to eat, household breakdown, doubt about a behavior), both parties communicate directly, and the Guardiens network remains accessible for more serious cases. We have documented the procedure in our guide unforeseen events during a pet-sit.
7. Exchange evaluations and badges
At the end of the pet-sit, the owner and guardian evaluate each other. This includes a rating, a comment, and distinctive badges (e.g., “warm welcome”, “house left impeccable”, “regular pet updates”). These evaluations are public on profiles and contribute to the trust the community places in itself.
Le saviez-vous ?
On Guardiens, the preliminary meeting before each pet-sit is a non-negotiable rule. This is probably the practice that most distinguishes the platform from the international model of pet-sitting platforms where matching is often automated.
The origin of Guardiens
We lived house-sitting from the inside for five years before thinking of Guardiens. Thirty-seven homes, two hundred thirty-four animals, kitchens we didn't know, and dogs that became friends for a week. It is this real and simple practice that we wanted to properly facilitate. Not a commercial service. A platform that simply does its job: connecting local people who could trust each other.
, Jérémie & Elisa, founders
House-sitting, boarding, dog-sitter: which in-home care solution for which pet
When it's time to leave, several care solutions exist. None are inherently better; each addresses a different need. Here are the main ones to help you understand.
| Solution | Care Location | Cost for Owner | Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Boarding | Specialized facility (kennel, shelter, approved boarder) | Approximately €25 to €50 per day depending on region and pet size | Pets that tolerate environment changes well, complex medical needs, last-minute departures |
| In-home Pet Sitter (visits) | Visits to owner's home | Sitter's chosen rate (often €15 to €30 per visit day) | Independent cats, short periods of care, owners who want a punctual service |
| Foster Family | At the foster family's home | Variable rate, often per service | Small animals, flexible care, easily adaptable pets |
| Family or Friends | At owner's or helper's home | No cost, relational exchange | Available networks, short periods of care |
| Peer-to-peer House-sitting (Guardiens) | At owner's home, guardian stays there | No cost, in-kind exchange | Pets that stay in their familiar environment, care from a few days to several weeks, home occupied during absence |
House-sitting differs from other solutions by an exchange-based logic rather than a commercial service. The owner offers a place to stay for the duration of their absence, and the guardian offers their presence and care. Neither party pays the other. This specificity changes everything: no income for one, no expense for the other, and a different legal framework (the commodatum, see our guide to the legal framework of house-sitting in France).
The other major difference: the pet stays at home. No transport, no forced cohabitation with other animals, no disruption of routines. For cats (especially territorial ones) as well as elderly or anxious dogs, this is often the decisive factor. And the house remains occupied during the absence, which no other solution truly allows.
Who can use Guardiens
The platform addresses three distinct but complementary uses.
Pet owners
Typical profile: an urban or rural household with one or more pets (dog, cat, more rarely exotic pets: chickens, rabbits, exotic NACs), who are going on vacation, a business trip, or for a personal event. Many are active professionals with busy lives, retirees who travel, or families with a second home to maintain.
Conditions: Must be of legal age, have a pet with up-to-date identification, have an accessible home, and complete a detailed profile with photos. Identity verification is required before the first publication.
In-home pet guardians
Typical profile: students looking for temporary housing and animal companionship, active retirees with time and love for animals, young professionals relocating, digital nomads seeking a quiet work environment, individuals in transition looking for a break.
Conditions: Must be of legal age, verify identity with our team, complete a detailed profile (introduction, animal experience, motivations), subscribe to the guardian membership. Guardians without an active membership do not appear in owner search results.
The small missions mode
Alongside in-home pet-sitting, Guardiens offers small, one-off mutual aid missions: walking a dog for a weekend, feeding a cat for three days, picking up a package, looking after chickens. These missions are always settled in-kind, never with money. They are accessible to all Guardiens members, owners and guardians alike, at no extra cost.
How much it costs: Guardiens' economic model
This is the most frequently asked question by newcomers. Here is the complete answer.
| Profile | Fee | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | No fees | Post ads, receive applications, validate pet-sits, access all features |
| Guardian (before July 14, 2026) | No fees, founder period | Full access to the platform |
| Guardian (after July 14, 2026) | €6.99 / month, no commitment, cancelable anytime, 7-day trial | Access to full ads, applications, messaging, profile visible to owners |
| Small mutual aid missions | No extra cost for all members | In-kind exchange only |
Why this asymmetry between owner and guardian? Because the platform only makes sense if there are many active owners posting. The more ads there are, the more likely each guardian is to find a pet-sit near them. Charging owners would discourage the side that makes everything else possible. Conversely, guardians use the platform regularly (consulting ads, applying, messaging). The guardian membership finances the platform's operation for everyone.
The membership covers human moderation, identity verification performed by our team (not an algorithm), continuous development, and user support. No advertising, no data resale, no hidden commissions.
"But then, why is it €0 for owners? There must be a catch."
This is the most common objection in Facebook groups when Guardiens is discussed. The answer is, there is no catch. The model is asymmetrical because owners are the scarcity in the community (without ads, there's nothing to look after). Guardians are plentiful: they drive the platform's activity. It's as simple as that. And it's precisely the opposite of what classic commercial platforms do, where owners pay a percentage on each pet-sit.
What the platform truly does for trust
A home pet-sitting platform relies entirely on the trust it inspires. On Guardiens, this trust is not just a slogan; it is a mechanism built on four concrete pillars, distinguishing the approach of community house-sitting from conventional commercial pet-sitting platforms.
Human identity verification
Every member, both owner and guardian, undergoes identity verification performed manually by our team. No algorithm automatically scans, no AI decides. A human looks at the ID, compares it to the profile picture, and approves or rejects. It's slower, more demanding. It's also the only serious way to filter.
This verification is mandatory before the first ad is published or the first application is submitted. No grey areas: without verified identity, no visible action is possible. To understand all the security and trust filters we have implemented, we have written a dedicated guide on this subject.
Mandatory meeting before each pet-sit
We return to this because it is central. Fifteen to thirty minutes in direct presence are worth ten written exchanges. The meeting allows both parties to confirm their impressions, adjust expectations, and, most importantly, observe how the animal reacts. A dog nervously barking at the guardian is a signal. A cat spontaneously rubbing against them is another. These signals cannot be seen through screens.
To explore all security aspects (how to evaluate a guardian, what to do in case of an unforeseen event, how to prepare), we have written a dedicated guide: Security and trust in house-sitting.
Cross-evaluations and badges
After each pet-sit, the owner and guardian evaluate each other mutually. The rating comes with a written comment, and each can attribute badges to the other: a warm welcome, the house left impeccable, regular pet updates. These evaluations are public on profiles, visible before an application is sent or accepted. No one can erase a review. The community self-regulates through its collective memory.
The emergency guardian network
For unforeseen events that can always occur (a guardian falling ill during a pet-sit, a family event requiring an owner's urgent attention), Guardiens activates a network of emergency guardians. These are verified and experienced guardians (at least five complete pet-sits, average rating above 4.7/5, zero cancellations, verified identity) who can take over within a few hours.
This is a safety net that reassures hesitant owners and does not exist on most conventional platforms.
Le saviez-vous ?
The platform prioritizes growth through recommendations and word-of-mouth rather than massive advertising. This fundamental choice also explains why community quality remains a priority over quantity.
What if something doesn't go as planned
No serious platform can promise that everything will always go smoothly. What it can do is equip users with the right reactions for situations that may arise. Of the thirty-seven pet-sits Elisa and I personally experienced before founding Guardiens, we never had any major disasters, just minor unexpected events that frank discussion always resolved. This is the experience we try to facilitate for others.
The pet falls ill during the pet-sit. The guardian first contacts the veterinarian listed in the house guide, then notifies the owner. Emergency veterinary fees are, in principle, the owner's responsibility (the animal belongs to them), who should arrange in advance a clear budget or reimbursement method with the guardian. To delve deeper into this topic, see our guide unforeseen events during a pet-sit.
Accidental damage in the house. The vast majority of home insurance policies cover damage caused by guests. Guardians under a commodatum arrangement fall into this category. For legal details, see our guide to the legal framework of house-sitting in France.
The guardian stops communicating. The owner first contacts the emergency contact listed in the guide (a relative, a trusted person), then the Guardiens team. As a last resort, law enforcement can assess the situation. A protocol exists, but it is rarely needed. To anticipate such cases and prepare the pet-sit well in advance, see our guide Security and trust in house-sitting.
The owner wants to cancel. Cancellations are regulated. The owner who cancels must notify the guardian as soon as possible. A written reason is required and appears on their profile after moderation. The guardian can respond publicly within seven days.
A post-pet-sit dispute. The Guardiens team first assists the parties in amicable resolution. For more serious cases, traditional avenues remain open: mediation, small claims, or court. But in five years of personal practice, we have only seen situations resolved through discussion.
The Invitation
Guardiens is a platform we created because we wished we had it ourselves five years ago. If you are an owner still hesitant to entrust your home, or a guardian wanting to try it out, we are here. The founder period is €0 until July 14, 2026. It's the perfect time to test it.
, Jérémie & Elisa
Frequently Asked Questions
Foire aux questions
Is it really €0 for owners?
Yes, absolutely €0. No registration fees, no per-ad fees, no commission at the time of the pet-sit. This €0 access is part of the platform's very design: we need many active owners for the community to be meaningful.
Why do guardians pay a subscription and not owners?
Because guardians use the platform regularly (consulting ads, applying, messaging), while owners use it occasionally (a few times a year during absences). The guardian membership finances the platform's operation for everyone: human moderation, identity verification, development, support. This is a deliberate model choice.
How does Guardiens verify member identities?
Each member must send an official ID and a recent photo. Our team manually verifies the consistency between the two. No algorithm, no AI. This verification usually takes 24 to 48 hours. Without it, no visible action is possible on the platform.
What if I have to cancel a pet-sit last minute?
Cancellation is possible but regulated. The canceling party must notify the other as soon as possible and provide a written reason, which will be moderated and then displayed on their profile. The emergency guardian network can take over if needed, should it be the guardian who cancels.
Does my home insurance cover a house-sitter?
The vast majority of multi-risk home insurance policies cover damage caused by guests, including house-sitters under a commodatum arrangement (no payment between parties). Our advice: call your insurer in advance for written confirmation, and keep this confirmation for all future pet-sits.
Can the guardian bring their spouse or children?
Yes, this is a frequent case and even reassuring for many owners. But it must be announced in advance and explicitly accepted by the owner. No surprising arrivals with a family of four when the profile mentioned a single person.
How long does it take for a guardian to be considered reliable?
After three or four pet-sits with consistently positive evaluations, a profile is considered solid. After five complete pet-sits without cancellation, with an average rating above 4.7/5, the guardian can become an emergency guardian, an additional guarantee of reliability recognized by the community.
Does Guardiens operate throughout France?
Yes, throughout mainland France. The platform first developed in urban areas (Lyon, Annecy, Grenoble), but the objective is to cover the entire territory, including rural areas where the need for in-home care is often even more pronounced than in cities.
What types of animals can be entrusted via Guardiens?
The platform covers domestic pets: dogs, cats, NACs (rodents, rabbits, ferrets), birds, fish, non-dangerous reptiles. Species subject to prefectural authorization or listed as dangerous animals are not accepted. Category 1 and 2 dogs require a guardian with a valid holding permit.
How does key handover and home orientation take place?
Handover occurs in person during a prior meeting. The owner shows the guardian around the home, provides the house guide (pet instructions, emergency contacts, Wi-Fi code, equipment operation) and may request a symbolic key deposit. Everything is recorded in Guardiens messaging, which serves as timestamped proof.
Can a video meeting replace a physical meeting?
In cases of proven geographical impossibility (distant guardian, last-minute travel), an in-depth video call is tolerated. However, it does not replace the home visit and direct interaction with the animal. For first pet-sits, we strongly recommend a physical meeting: trust is built face-to-face.
What happens in case of a veterinary emergency during the pet-sit?
The guardian has the contact details of the reference veterinarian in the house guide. In an emergency, they contact this veterinarian or 3115 (on-call veterinarians). The owner is notified in parallel via messaging. Expenses are advanced by the owner as much as possible, or reimbursed upon justification upon return.
To go further
This article outlines the general operation. For deeper dives into related topics, here are additional resources:
- Security and trust in house-sitting, How to evaluate a guardian, how to prepare, what to do in case of an unforeseen event
- House-sitting in France: legal framework, The commodatum, insurance, taxation, responsibilities
- Unforeseen events during a pet-sit: what to do, Preparation, emergency contacts, organization in the face of unforeseen events
And for utility pages:
- General FAQ, All practical questions
- Detailed Prices, And what they fund
- Emergency Guardians Network, How it works, how to join
The founder period remains €0 for guardians until July 14, 2026. It's the simplest time to join the platform and start participating in the community.
Become a guardian (founder period until July 14) →
Sources
- FACCO-Odoxa 2024-2025 Barometer, Companion animal population in France, digital methodology, sample of 10,024 people. Publication May 2025. facco.fr/chiffres-cles
- OpinionWay 2024 Survey for Atout France and ADN Tourisme, Intentions for summer 2024 vacation departures. May-June 2024. echotouristique.com
- INSEE, Key Tourism Figures (2024), Data on vacation departure rates and overnight stays by French residents. insee.fr/fr/statistiques/7653005
- Prom'Animal Association, Market for pet boarding and care services in France, approximately 4.9 billion euros annually. Source via Observatoire de la franchise.
- SantéVet Study, Pet owner habits for care during holidays (69% family, 22% friends, 20% care service, 8% local person).
- Article 1875 of the Civil Code, Legal definition of commodatum (loan for use), legal framework for peer-to-peer house-sitting. legifrance.gouv.fr
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