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The Pet Sitter Blog

Expert insights on pet care, the pet sitting industry, and building a pet sitting business.

Featured image for article: What Happened to Cat in a Flat? Inside Rover's Quietest Acquisition
Industry8 min read

What Happened to Cat in a Flat? Inside Rover's Quietest Acquisition

Rover bought Cat in a Flat in October 2024 and let it run under its own name for seventeen months. Then, at the end of March 2026, its sitters were moved onto Rover's fees. Here is exactly what changed, and what it tells every sitter on an acquired platform.

By The Pet Sitter Team

Featured image for article: Who Really Pays? How Pet Platforms Charge Both Sides
Industry9 min read

Who Really Pays? How Pet Platforms Charge Both Sides

Every commission platform charges the sitter a percentage. Most also charge the owner a fee at checkout. Add both together and the real take rate on a booking is far higher than the headline number — here is the arithmetic, using each platform's own published figures.

By Graeme Rycyk

Featured image for article: How Pets Are Shaping Our Travel Habits
Industry9 min read

How Pets Are Shaping Our Travel Habits

Pet ownership is reshaping how we plan holidays. From guilt-free getaways to the rise of pet-friendly stays, here is how animals influence where and when we travel.

By The Pet Sitter Team

Featured image for article: How a Pet-Care Platform Merger Affects Pet Owners and Sitters
Industry8 min read

How a Pet-Care Platform Merger Affects Pet Owners and Sitters

When a major pet-care platform announces a merger, it can affect your bookings, fees and income. Learn what to watch for and practical steps to protect yourself.

By The Pet Sitter Team

Featured image for article: The Great Australian Pet Sitting Consolidation of 2026
Industry11 min read

The Great Australian Pet Sitting Consolidation of 2026

Rover acquired Mad Paws. Pawshake charges 19%+ in opaque fees. Floofers stalled. In 2026, the Australian pet sitting market has effectively consolidated into one dominant commission platform. Here is what that means for sitters and owners.

By The Pet Sitter Team

Featured image for article: What Happened to Floofers? The Rise and Stall of Australia's Indie Pet Sitting Platform
Industry8 min read

What Happened to Floofers? The Rise and Stall of Australia's Indie Pet Sitting Platform

Floofers had the right idea: low commission, professional standards, sitter-friendly policies. But good intentions were not enough to solve the marketplace liquidity problem. Here is what happened.

By The Pet Sitter Team

Featured image for article: Pet Sitting Regulations by Country: What You Need to Know
Industry10 min read

Pet Sitting Regulations by Country: What You Need to Know

Pet sitting regulations vary significantly between countries. From insurance requirements to business registration, here is what sitters need to know in key markets.

By The Pet Sitter Team

Featured image for article: Going Off-Platform as a Pet Sitter: Bring Your Clients, Keep Things Organised
Industry5 min read

Going Off-Platform as a Pet Sitter: Bring Your Clients, Keep Things Organised

Ready to run your own pet sitting business beyond marketplace apps? Bring your clients, keep using the conversations that work, and put bookings and everyday admin in one place.

By The Pet Sitter Team

Featured image for article: Pet Care Industry Trends to Watch in 2026
Industry10 min read

Pet Care Industry Trends to Watch in 2026

The pet care industry continues to evolve rapidly. From humanisation of pets to technology adoption, here are the trends shaping pet care in 2026.

By The Pet Sitter Team