Andrew Beckham was deployed by the Colorado Air National Guard and needed someone to care for Maverick — his husky of 11 years. He turned to TrustedHousesitters.com, a platform that promises to connect pet owners with trusted, vetted sitters. The person they connected him with disappeared with his dog — and a month later, Maverick was found dead, trapped in a car.

This didn't have to happen.

Andrew Jansen, of Palmetto Bay, Florida, was hired through the platform to live in Beckham's Aurora, Colorado home and care for Maverick while he served. A month into the deployment, Jansen stopped responding. Surveillance footage showed him dragging Maverick out the front door and driving away in a blue Subaru. Maverick was never seen alive again.

Denver police found the dog's body inside the vehicle. Jansen is still missing. Aurora police are asking the public for help finding him.

TrustedHousesitters.com says it is cooperating with law enforcement. That's not enough. A military airman put his trust — and his best friend's life — in this platform's hands. The question that demands an answer is simple: how did Andrew Jansen pass their vetting process?

Pet sitting platforms that connect strangers with vulnerable animals have a responsibility to do more than facilitate introductions. They owe pet owners — especially those serving our country — rigorous background checks, real accountability, and transparency when things go wrong.

Sign this petition to demand TrustedHousesitters.com overhaul its vetting process and answer for how Maverick was left to die.

Photo: Miami Herald / Police Flyer