Help Centre for Pet Owners

Use our search page to enter your location and the type of care you need. You can filter results by service type (boarding, house sitting, dog walking, drop-in visits, daycare), pet type, availability dates, and distance. Results show verified sitters in your area ranked by profile completeness, reviews, and response time. Each sitter profile includes their experience, rates, photos, and reviews from other pet owners.

Yes, completely free. Pet owners never pay any platform fees, booking fees, or service charges. There are no hidden costs. You pay the sitter directly for the care they provide at the rate they set. The Pet Sitter is funded by sitter subscriptions, not by charging pet owners.

We offer five core services: pet boarding (your pet stays overnight at the sitter's home), house sitting (the sitter stays at your home while you are away), drop-in visits (the sitter visits your home for feeding, companionship, and a quick check-in), dog walking, and doggy daycare (daytime care at the sitter's home). Many sitters also offer add-on services such as administering medication, extra walks, or puppy care.

Browse sitter profiles in your area, read their reviews and bio, then send a booking request with your dates, pets, and any special requirements. The sitter reviews your request and responds — usually within a few hours. Once the sitter accepts, the booking is confirmed and you can coordinate details like the meet-and-greet, drop-off times, and care instructions through our messaging system.

Each sitter sets their own cancellation policy, which is clearly displayed on their profile before you book. Policies range from Flexible (full refund with 24 hours notice) to Moderate (full refund with 7 days notice) to Strict (limited refund). We recommend reviewing the cancellation terms and discussing any concerns with your sitter before confirming a booking.

Yes. Once you have completed a booking with a sitter, they appear in your booking history and you can easily send a new request to the same person. Many pet owners build ongoing relationships with their preferred sitters. You can also message previous sitters directly through our messaging system to discuss future bookings.

We strongly recommend it, especially for first-time bookings. A meet-and-greet lets your pet get comfortable with the sitter and gives you a chance to see the sitter's home if you are booking boarding. Most sitters are happy to arrange a short introductory visit. It is also the best time to discuss your pet's routine, dietary needs, medication, and any behavioural quirks.

Bring your pet's regular food (enough for the entire stay plus a day extra), any medications with clear dosage instructions, their favourite toys and blanket for comfort, and your vet's contact details. Provide a written summary of your pet's daily routine, feeding schedule, and any special requirements. Your sitter will discuss exact needs during the meet-and-greet.

Drop-off and pick-up times are arranged directly between you and the sitter. Discuss timing preferences during the meet-and-greet or via messaging. Most sitters are flexible and can accommodate reasonable requests. If you need early drop-off or late pick-up, let your sitter know in advance so they can plan accordingly.

You pay the sitter directly for their services. Payment arrangements are made between you and the sitter — most accept bank transfer, cash, or mobile payment apps. Because The Pet Sitter does not process payments, there are no booking fees, service charges, or processing fees added to the sitter's rate. The price they list is the price you pay.

No. The Pet Sitter is completely free for pet owners. There are no booking fees, service charges, platform fees, or payment processing fees. The price the sitter lists on their profile is the full price you pay, directly to them. We believe pet owners should not be penalised for using the platform.

Yes. Sitters can generate professional invoices through The Pet Sitter for completed bookings. If you need a receipt for insurance, tax, or personal records, ask your sitter to send you an invoice through the platform. The invoice includes a full breakdown of services, dates, and the total amount paid.

Most sitters send regular updates including photos and notes about how your pet is doing. Our report card feature allows sitters to send structured updates with photos, mood indicators, activity logs (fed, walked, medicated), and even GPS-tracked walk routes. You can discuss update frequency and preferences with your sitter before the booking starts.

Before the booking, provide your sitter with your vet's contact details and written authorisation for emergency veterinary care. In an emergency, the sitter will contact you immediately and take your pet to the nearest vet if needed. Discuss emergency procedures during the meet-and-greet so both you and the sitter know the plan. Keep your phone accessible during the booking period.

Every sitter profile is manually reviewed by our team before going live. We check for profile completeness, quality, accuracy, and authenticity. Sitters can also opt for additional verification including background checks, which appear as trust badges on their profile. All reviews come from verified bookings only — you cannot leave a review without completing a real booking, ensuring every review is genuine.