Sittersite · SMS / Email Messaging Policy

SMS / Email Terms & Messaging Policy

Last updated: 11/24/2025 · This policy explains how Sittersite uses SMS and email to support bookings and account activity for pet sitters, dog walkers, and their clients.

1. Who receives messages

Sittersite sends messages to:

  • Providers (sitters): pet-care businesses that use Sittersite to run their website, bookings, and payments.
  • Clients of providers: individuals who book services (such as pet sits or walks) through a Sittersite-hosted site.

We only send automated SMS from Sittersite-managed messaging numbers to individuals who have provided a phone number and given appropriate, separate consent for automated text messages. Providers can also see client contact details (such as phone number) in their dashboard so they can contact clients directly from their own phone or email; that direct, provider-controlled communication is outside of this automated Sittersite SMS program.

2. How we use email and SMS

Sittersite uses email as the primary notification channel for all users and SMS as an optional, opt-in channel for certain booking-related notifications only.

  • Email (default, always available): We use email to send booking confirmations and updates, appointment reminders, important account and security notifications, and occasional product updates or service-related messages about your use of Sittersite (for example, feature or policy changes), where permitted by law and your preferences.
  • SMS (optional, booking-related only): We use automated SMS to send event-driven, booking-related notifications such as confirmations, changes, reminders, and messages that may allow you to respond (for example, YES/NO) or follow a secure link to confirm or manage a booking or request, but only after a separate, explicit SMS opt-in.

We do not use SMS for general product updates, policy-change notices, or account-level marketing. Those types of messages, where sent at all, are sent by email only and are not sent via SMS.

We do not use Sittersite’s toll-free or other messaging numbers for high-volume promotional campaigns or general marketing blasts. If we ever introduce any marketing SMS on Sittersite, it will be run as a separate, clearly labeled program that requires its own explicit, written opt-in.

3. Message frequency

Message frequency for optional SMS is event-driven and typically limited to a small number of messages per booking. For example:

  • 1 confirmation message when a booking is created;
  • 1–2 reminder messages before an appointment; and
  • Occasional alerts if a booking changes, a reschedule is requested, or a booking-related action is needed.

Email message frequency also depends on activity on your account (for example, bookings, changes, and important account updates) and may include occasional product or policy updates where permitted.

4. No bundled or mandatory SMS consent

Consent to receive SMS is never a condition of using Sittersite. You can:

  • Use Sittersite to run your pet-care business;
  • Complete bookings as a client; and
  • Receive confirmations and updates by email and via the web dashboard

all without ever opting in to SMS messaging. Providing a phone number for direct contact with a sitter (for example, so they can call or text you from their own phone) does not by itself sign you up for the Sittersite automated SMS program.

SMS is never required to receive any booking or account information. All information that may be sent by SMS is also available by email and/or via the web dashboard. There are no SMS messages that are "essential" or required; if you opt out of SMS, you will continue to receive necessary notifications by email.

5. Consent and how sitters opt in (providers)

Sitters can use Sittersite with email-only notifications. Automated SMS from Sittersite to sitters is optional and controlled by separate settings.

Sitters may opt in to automated SMS in their Sittersite notification settings by:

  • Adding a mobile phone number for their account; and
  • Turning on booking-related SMS notifications for new requests, changes, cancellations, and other booking-related events. Once enabled, these notifications may include messages that allow you to reply (for example, YES/NO) or follow a secure link as part of the same booking-related SMS program.

These automated SMS options are off by default. Sitters can fully operate their business using email and their web dashboard without enabling any SMS features.

6. Consent and how clients opt in (end customers)

Clients of sitters can always complete a booking using email only. Email is the default notification channel and is required for booking. Automated SMS from Sittersite is optional and separate from any direct phone contact from the sitter.

Clients may opt in to automated SMS in two main ways:

  • During booking (optional): The booking form collects the client's phone number so the sitter can contact them directly. Separately, the form may show an unchecked-by-default checkbox that clearly states the client's consent to receive automated SMS about their bookings and account from Sittersite on behalf of their sitter. The booking can be completed without checking this box. If the box is not checked, Sittersite does not send automated SMS to the client, but the sitter may still contact the client directly using their own phone number.
  • From the client dashboard (optional): Where available, clients may turn on or off optional automated SMS notifications in their Sittersite notification settings, including booking-related SMS updates. Some of these messages may allow you to reply (for example, YES/NO) as part of the same booking-related SMS program.

Sittersite manages the booking forms and consent language centrally; individual sitters do not create their own SMS opt-in text within our platform.

7. Example consent language (what clients see)

Sittersite manages the booking form and SMS consent language centrally. A typical consent statement shown near the SMS opt-in checkbox may look like:

"By checking this box, you agree to receive automated SMS messages related to your bookings and account from Sittersite on behalf of your service provider. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency is event-driven (for example, confirmations, updates, and reminders for each booking). Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. You can still book and receive confirmations by email if you do not check this box. See our Terms and Messaging Policy."

This consent is a distinct, optional action. Consent to receive automated SMS is not a requirement to use Sittersite or to complete a booking.

8. Opt-out and help

Automated SMS from Sittersite's messaging numbers is always optional. You can opt out of automated SMS at any time using any of the methods below:

  • By SMS: Reply STOP to any Sittersite text message to stop receiving automated SMS from that number. You may receive a one-time confirmation message that your opt-out was successful.
  • In your settings: Sitters can change their SMS preferences in their Sittersite notification settings. Where available, clients can change their SMS preferences in their Sittersite dashboard.
  • By email: You may contact us at support@sittersite.com to request that we update your messaging preferences on your behalf.

If you opt out of SMS, you will continue to receive booking and account information by email. For help with our automated SMS program, you can reply HELP to any message or contact us at support@sittersite.com.

9. Msg & data rates

Standard message and data rates may apply to SMS messages we send or that you send in connection with the Service. Check with your mobile carrier for details about your plan.

10. Example SMS messages

Here are example automated messages that may be sent via Sittersite:

  • "Sittersite: Your booking with [Sitter Name] for [Service/Pet Name] on [Date/Time] is confirmed. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel messages."
  • "Sittersite: Reminder, you have an upcoming booking with [Sitter Name] on [Date/Time]. Reply STOP to cancel messages."
  • "Sittersite: [Sitter Name] requested to reschedule your booking to [New Date/Time]. Reply YES to confirm, NO to keep the original time, or manage this booking in your dashboard at [link]. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel messages."
  • "Sittersite: New booking request from [Client Name] for [Service] on [Date/Time]. Reply YES to accept or NO to decline, or manage this request in your Sittersite dashboard. Reply HELP for help, STOP to cancel messages."

11. Relationship to our Terms and Privacy Policy

This Messaging Policy is part of our Terms of Service and is referenced in our Privacy Policy. By using Sittersite and providing contact information, you agree to this Messaging Policy.

12. Use of service providers

We use trusted third-party providers, including Twilio (for SMS) and email service providers, to deliver messages on our behalf. These providers may process your phone number, email address, and message content solely to deliver messages and support our messaging features. For more information about how we handle personal data and which providers we use, please see our Privacy Policy.

13. Contact

If you have questions about this Messaging Policy or our SMS/email practices, please contact:

SGJUERG Software LLC
Email: support@sittersite.com
Mailing address: 4030 Wake Forest Road, Ste 349 Raleigh, NC 27609