A guide to Drop-in Visits

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What is Drop-in Visits?

Drop-in visits are short check-ins where a sitter comes to your home to feed, water, and spend time with your pets. Each visit typically lasts 30–60 minutes — long enough to refresh food and water, clean litter boxes, give medications, and provide some companionship and play time.

Drop-ins are ideal for independent pets like cats or when you're working a long day and need someone to check on your dog mid-afternoon. They're also a cost-effective alternative to full boarding for pets who are comfortable being alone overnight but need regular care during the day.

Sitters set their own rates. Confirm the total, currency and any agreed extras before booking, then pay the sitter directly. The Pet Sitter is free and takes no booking commission; an external payment provider may charge its own fees.

What to expect

Sitter visits your home for 30–60 minutes

Fresh food and water provided

Litter boxes cleaned (for cats)

Medications administered if needed

Play time and companionship

Short walk for dogs (if requested)

How Drop-in Visits works

Step 1

Share your keys and routine

Meet the sitter at your home, hand over keys, and walk them through feeding schedules, medications, and any other instructions.

Step 2

Sitter visits on schedule

Your sitter arrives at the agreed times, follows the care routine, and sends you a photo update after each visit.

Step 3

Peace of mind, every visit

Get a notification and photos after each drop-in so you always know your pet has been fed, watered, and loved.

Ideal for

Cats and independent pets

Long work days when your pet needs a mid-day check

Short trips (1–2 nights) for self-sufficient pets

Supplementing daycare on off-days

Budget-conscious pet owners

Frequently asked questions

How long is a drop-in visit?

Visits typically last 30–60 minutes. You can discuss exact timing with your sitter based on your pet's needs.

How many visits per day can I book?

Most owners book 1–2 visits per day. You can arrange morning and evening visits, or a single mid-day check — whatever works for your pet's schedule.

Is a drop-in enough for my dog?

For adult dogs who are house-trained and comfortable alone, 1–2 drop-in visits per day can work well for short absences. For puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with separation anxiety, boarding or house sitting may be a better option.

Can the sitter walk my dog during a drop-in?

Yes! Many sitters include a short walk as part of the drop-in visit. Discuss this with your sitter so they can plan enough time.

How much do drop-in pet visits cost?

Ask for the price per visit, its duration, the number of pets covered and the total for the visits you need. Sitters set their own rates. Confirm the total, currency and any agreed extras before booking, then pay the sitter directly. The Pet Sitter is free and takes no booking commission; an external payment provider may charge its own fees.

How do cat sitting visits work?

The sitter comes to your home at agreed times to top up food and water, clean the litter box, and spend some time playing with your cat. You get a photo update after each visit, so you always know your cat has been checked on. For most healthy adult cats, one or two visits a day is plenty.

Drop-in Visits by city

Read about care arrangements in each city. These guides do not indicate live sitter availability.

Australia

Melbourne

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