A guide to Pet Sitting

Understand the care, prepare useful questions and agree the details directly with your sitter. The software is free; sitters charge for their care.

0% Commission100% free software

What is Pet Sitting?

Pet sitting is professional care for your pets while you're away — whether that's a day at work, a weekend trip, or a two-week holiday. On The Pet Sitter, pet sitters come to your home to care for your animals in their own familiar environment, keeping their routine as normal as possible.

Pet sitting covers all types of animals — dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, fish, reptiles, and small mammals. Your sitter follows your care instructions precisely: feeding schedules, exercise, medication, litter changes, cage cleaning, and plenty of love and attention.

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

Your pets stay in their own home — familiar and stress-free

Feeding, watering, and exercise on their regular schedule

Litter, cage, or habitat cleaning as needed

Medication administration (oral, topical, or injectable)

Socialisation, play time, and companionship

Plant watering and mail collection as a bonus

Photo and video updates after every visit

How Pet Sitting works

Step 1

Connect with your pet sitter

Public search for pet sitters is coming soon. Today, use a sitter's shared profile or booking link to review their experience and reviews, message them, and arrange a free meet-and-greet.

Step 2

Set up the care plan

Walk your sitter through the routine: feeding times, medications, exercise, and any quirks. Hand over keys and emergency contacts.

Step 3

Travel with peace of mind

Your sitter visits on schedule, follows the care plan, and sends you updates. Come home to happy, well-cared-for pets.

Ideal for

Multi-pet households (dogs, cats, and small animals)

Exotic pets (reptiles, birds, fish) that can't go to a kennel

Pets who are anxious or stressed in unfamiliar environments

Owners who want home security while they're away

Business travellers and holidaymakers

Frequently asked questions

How much does pet sitting cost?

The quote depends on the care type, dates, number of pets and their needs; a visit and an overnight stay are different services. 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 animals can a pet sitter look after?

Pet sitters on our platform care for all types of animals: dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, fish, reptiles, and more. Each sitter lists the animals they're comfortable caring for on their profile.

Is pet sitting better than boarding or kennels?

Home visits can suit pets who prefer familiar surroundings or are difficult to transport. Boarding may suit pets who need more company or a setting with dedicated care areas. Compare supervision, routines and your pet's needs with each provider.

How do I trust a stranger in my home?

Profiles eligible for search-engine indexing are manually reviewed and approved, but approval is not a guarantee of care. Review the sitter's profile and booking-verified reviews, meet them at your home, and start with a short booking. Some sitters also display additional verified credentials.

Can a pet sitter stay overnight?

Yes! Many pet sitters offer overnight house sitting, where they stay at your home for the duration of your trip. This provides continuous care and the added benefit of home security.

How do I find a pet sitter near me?

Public search and filtering for pet sitters is coming soon. Today, a sitter can share their profile or booking link with you; use it to review their services, animal experience, and reviews, send a message, and arrange a meet-and-greet before booking.

Is pet minding the same as pet sitting?

Yes — pet minding is simply another name for pet sitting, more common in Australia and New Zealand. Whichever term you use, it means a trusted sitter caring for your pets to your instructions, either through home visits or overnight stays.

Pet Sitting by city

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

Australia

Melbourne

All your everyday tools, free

Run bookings, clients, invoices and care updates in one place. No subscription, no booking commission and no card required.

Get started free How It Works