I'm lucky cause if I go away, my dad takes care of my pets. Atleast my dogs...He will play with my kitties and feed them, but not the box. My mom would do that for me. My dad is almost always home (he works home) so there is someone home when I'm at work. I can't say I'd even trust a petsitter....I ONLY trust my dad and mom with my pets. And some friends I know who are good with their own dogs