The Pet Sitter Blog
Expert insights on pet care, the pet sitting industry, and building a pet sitting business.
How to Choose a Dog Groomer: 10 Things to Check Before You Book
A good groomer keeps your dog healthy and calm; a bad one can put them off grooming for life. Here's exactly what to check — questions to ask, red flags to avoid, and how to prepare your dog.
By The Pet Sitter Team
Leaving Rover or Mad Paws: what happens to your reviews and clients
What the platforms' own terms actually say about taking clients off-platform, why your reviews are not portable, and the genuine risks of leaving. Quoted from source, with links.
By The Pet Sitter Team
Pet Sitter Podcasts and Communities Worth Your Time
A short, filtered guide to the pet sitting podcasts and professional communities that are genuinely active as of August 2026. Who each one suits, and who should skip it.
By The Pet Sitter Team
Do You Need Insurance and a Police Check to Pet Sit in Australia?
There is no national pet sitting licence in Australia and no police-check mandate. Insurance is the part sitters get wrong: not required if you visit clients' homes, but Victoria's mandatory boarding code sets a $10 million minimum — and home boarding counts.
By The Pet Sitter Team
What to Charge for Pet Sitting in Melbourne
Observed Melbourne listing rates for boarding, house sitting, day care, drop-ins and walks as at 13 August 2026, plus the commission arithmetic that decides whether a flat subscription actually saves you money.
By The Pet Sitter Team
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
Your Own Pet Sitting Website or Booking Software? You Can Use Both
Your website tells your story. Booking software keeps dates, clients and everyday admin together. Here is how to choose a simple setup for the clients you already have.
By The Pet Sitter Team
How Much Does a Pet Sitter Cost in 2026? Price Guide
Pet sitter prices vary by service, pet, and location. We break down pet sitting rates for 2026, from drop-in visits to overnight stays, and how to save.
By The Pet Sitter Team
How Much Does House Sitting Cost in 2026? Rates Guide
House sitting rates depend on the pets, the length of stay, and where you live. We break down how much to pay a house sitter per day and per night for 2026.
By The Pet Sitter Team