Pet sitters: an alternative when kennels are full

We are building a price guide for pet sitters and in-home boarding in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. We have not yet verified sitter prices, so we don't list any figures here.

When a sitter may suit better than a kennel

• Kennels near you are booked out for Christmas (Melbourne tracker, Sydney tracker, Brisbane tracker).
• Your pet is elderly, anxious or has health needs a kennel won't take (some kennels restrict first-time senior boarders).
• You have several pets and kennel fees add up per pet.
• Your pet is not vaccinated in time for a kennel's C5/F3 rules.

Questions to ask a sitter

• Is the price per night, per visit or per day? Are public holidays extra?
• Do they hold public liability insurance and a police check?
• How many other pets will they care for at the same time?
• What happens if your pet needs a vet?

Sitters can ask to be listed, free.