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The 6 Best Pet Sitters in Melbourne We Recommend for Worry-Free Care

Service Quality: We sought out pet sitters who go beyond basic pet care, offering a home-like experience for pets with attentive companionship and playtime. This is to make sure your furry friend feels comfortable and loved while you’re away.

Care and Attention: Personalized care is essential for pets. Hence, we prioritized sitters who offer one-on-one attention, ensuring your pet receives individual snuggles, walks, and play sessions.

Experience and Skills: Pets have unique needs, and not every sitter is equipped to handle them all. We selected sitters with a track record of experience handling everything from young puppies to senior pets, ensuring safe and knowledgeable care.

Transparency in Pricing: No one likes hidden costs, especially for extended stays. We chose sitters who provide clear, upfront pricing so you know exactly what to expect without any surprises at the end of your booking.

Location and Accessibility: Proximity can ease any last-minute needs or drop-offs. We focused on pet sitters with accessible locations throughout Melbourne, ensuring convenient and stress-free access for busy pet owners.

If you’ve ever struggled to find the right pet sitter and ended up feeling more stressed than your dog or cat, you’re certainly not alone. The challenge of coordinating schedules and ensuring your pet feels comfortable is all too common.

With so many options available, it’s difficult to determine who will provide the best care. For those seeking top pet sitters in Melbourne, we’ve compiled some excellent recommendations to make the search easier.

How much do the services of a pet sitter in Melbourne cost?

Hiring a pet sitter in Melbourne typically costs between $25 and $40 for a 30-minute visit or $50 to $80 for an overnight stay. However, prices may vary based on the sitter’s experience, location, and any additional services.

1. Pawshake

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Address: 3 Albert Coates Ln

Business hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00am – 8:00 pm

Website

Pawshake really simplifies finding pet care by offering a wide range of services in one platform. Their services include pet sitting, dog walking, house visits, and more.

The booking process is entirely online, with secure payment options that make managing everything straightforward.

Each sitter on the platform is reviewed and verified by the team, ensuring a high standard of care and safety. We also appreciate the insurance Pawshake offers on all booking as it adds peace of mind.

One standout feature is the ability to browse sitter profiles and read reviews before booking. Because of this we’re able to really assess each sitter’s experience and see feedback from other pet owners. 

Additionally, we found Pawshake’s pricing flexible. There are options starting at approximately $20 for short visits and overnight stays ranging from $40 to $70, catering to a wide range of budget.

While the platform charges a small service fee (which you have to pay on top of the sitter’s rate), the wide selection of vetted sitters and secure setup made it worthwhile.

Pros

  • Wide variety of services
  • Verified sitters
  • Secure online booking and payment system
  • All bookings are insured

Cons

  • Service fee on top of sitter’s rate

Excellent Service

“Very relieved at the great service that Elyse provided from Pawshake. My 20 yo pussy needed a lot of attention and cleaning up after and I was extremely happy to see she was looked after. Elyse even sent me videos so that I did not worry while on holiday. Excellent Service.”

– Roy Dean, Google Review

Wonderful Service and Experience

“Highly recommend Pawshake for dog boarding. We found amazing sitters to look after our dogs for a week – the initial anxiety about leaving the dogs was totally dispelled at the meet and greet. Such a wonderful service and experience for all of us.”

– Larissa Jekimovics, Google Review

2. Pet Stays Dog Boarding Melbourne

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Address: 17 Doncaster St

Phone: +61438937570

Business hours: Mon-Sun: 7:00am – 7:00 pm

Website

Experts in dog boarding, Pet Stays Dog Boarding offers a hassle-free solution for finding reliable pet care.

Many of the pet owners we talked to really loved the staff’s warm and attentive approach. They tailor their care to each dog’s individual needs and put a strong focus on making pets feel at home.

Rates are standard for Melbourne, averaging approximately $50 per night. When we reached out, we also found some special packages available for extended stays.

Reviews from other pet owners were generally positive, with many praising the boarding setup and cleanliness. Unlike many boarding facilities where dogs are kept in cages or crates, Pet Stays allows pets to roam within designated indoor and outdoor areas.

However, one common concern was slower response times for booking inquiries, which could take a few days.

There were also a couple of reports of minor discrepancies in invoices, so we recommend checking them carefully.

Pros

  • Clean, spacious boarding facilities with daily playtime included
  • Friendly, attentive staff who personalize care based on each dog’s needs
  • Reasonable rates with packages for extended stays
  • Positive reviews highlighting the boarding setup and cleanliness

Cons

  • Slower response times for booking inquiries
  • Occasional minor billing inconsistencies

My Dog is Safe in their Care

“I have had the best of experiences! Jeannene and the team at Pet Stays are wonderful caring and totally understand that you’re missing your pet when you’re away. Sending you photos and updates of them making new friends & how they are enjoying their time away. I have and a half-year-old labrador that is a happy friendly dog I know when I drop him off with the team at Pet Stays he will be safe in their care & I will get to have quality cuddles because he will be so tired after having a party with his new friends.”

– Emma Moloney, Google Review

I Get Lots of Photo Updates Every Week

“I was lucky to find PetStays when the pet hotel canceled Chloe’s accommodation at the last minute. Jeannene made the effort to answer all my questions and assist me with arranging pick-up for Chloe. Chloe enjoys her stay at Pet Stays and has been there for long vacations since last year. She is always excited to be picked up by Jeannene. I can tell that Jeannene, Reza, and the other staff took great care of Chloe, as she always returns home happy and well-groomed. I get lots of photo updates every week. They help Chloe socialize with the other dogs and pamper her with treats.”

– Kelly Chia, Google Review

3. MDN Pet Care

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Address: 602A/3/5 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda

Phone: +61 1300 024 714

Business hours: Mon-Sun: Open 24 hours

Instagram

MDN Pet Care may not be the biggest pet care provider in the city, but it’s a local favorite for a reason.

The pet owners we talked to raved about the team’s dedication to building genuine relationships with both pets and their humans. This really helps create a comfortable and caring experience every time.

MDN offers different services, including dog walking, in-home pet sitting, and cat visits—all personalized to meet each pet’s unique needs. 

One of the things that really caught our attention was their team’s attention to detail. Their staff carefully monitors each pet’s behavior and well-being, providing owners with regular updates throughout the service.

Another plus is their photo updates during visits. It’s a feature many clients love because of the assurance it provides. However, a few users noted that updates can sometimes feel overly formal, lacking the casual feel that helps reassure owners.

Another drawback is the premium pricing. Their in-home services are on the higher side, which might make regular use a bit pricey for some. 

Pros

  • Diverse services
  • Attentive staff
  • Regular photo updates

Cons

  • Premium pricing
  • Overly formal photo updates

They Took the Time to Get Familiar With Our Dogs

“Great communication and great service. We booked a grooming appointment for my two sheebs. Adrian took the time to walk them and get familiar with them so as to make bathing easier. Shout out to Adrian and Martin for taking such good care of our pups! Would recommend and will come back!”

– Wanjia Zhao, Google Review

Gave Us Regular Updates and Prompt with Replies

“We left our baby Cookie with MDN Pet Care for 43 days! This was the second time we were using the MDN team’s services and we’re just as happy with the results as we were the first time. Throughout the course, Adrian gave us regular updates and was prompt with his replies. He took amazing care of Cookie. She adjusted well with the other pets there and was in great condition when we brought her home again. I would 100% recommend MDN Pet Care to anyone looking for a safe home for their fur babies!”

– Shree Kulkarni, Google Review

4. SitStay – Vet Nurse Sitters

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Address: Metropolitan area

Phone: +61468313939

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 5:00pm – 8:30 pm

Website

Instagram

Our team recently hired SitStay – Vet Nurse Sitters and the experience was both reassuring and professional. 

Given that all sitters are qualified veterinary nurses, we felt confident leaving our pets in their care. This is especially true for one of our members whose dog has a few health issues.

SitStay offers a range of services, including overnight house sitting, daily pet visits, post-operative care, and even wedding chaperone services for pets. 

We chose the overnight house sitting, which included daily updates and photos that kept us in the loop. 

Booking was easy. They have an app where you can easily add pet details and schedule the service.

However, the absence of discounts or deals makes it a pricier option compared to other services. For instance, their house-sitting service starts at $95 per night, and bookings with fewer than 10 units of service incur a $35 booking fee.

Pros

  • Qualified vet nurse sitters
  • Offers post-operative care
  • Offers special needs support
  • Daily updates and photos during overnight sitting
  • Easy booking process

Cons

  • Limited availability for last-minute bookings
  • No specific discounts or deals

Hassle Free

“Angela and her amazing team at Sit Stay are excellent. Angela is so lovely and responsive that arranging the home visit or overnights tays is hassle free. Shout out to Leah, who has become Maggie’s second mother! And also, shout out to Amy and Mohsen who have also been wonderful looking after Miss Maggie. I know she is in the best hands when I go away. Would 1000% recommend them to anyone :)”

– Liz Smith, Google Review

Brilliant Service

“We wanted to thank Jasmine who was a perfect house sitter for our two pups and kitten.  We trusted her completely and she always sent us photos and an update each day on how they were going so we did not miss them too much.  Thank you Jasmine and SitStay for your brilliant service and we will be sure to use them next time we are away.”

– Philip Sherrard, Google Review

5. Bones & Harmony

Address: 5 Duke Street, Abbotsford, VIC, 3067, Australia

Business hours: By appointment basis

Website

We had a wonderful experience with Bones & Harmony for our pet sitting needs. From the moment we reached out, the team was responsive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about animals. They took the time to understand our pet’s routine and specific needs, ensuring our furry friend was well taken care of during our absence.

What impressed us the most was the personalized care our pet received. The pet sitter kept us updated with regular check-ins, sending us photos and updates to let us know how our pet was doing. It gave us peace of mind knowing our pet was in safe hands and receiving the attention and love they needed.

The level of professionalism and reliability from Bones & Harmony was exceptional. They arrived on time for every scheduled visit, and the service was always consistent. We never had to worry about our pet’s well-being, and it was clear that the team genuinely cared about providing the best care possible.

Overall, we highly recommend Bones & Harmony to anyone looking for a trustworthy and caring pet sitting service. Their professionalism, personalized care, and love for animals make them an excellent choice for anyone in need of reliable pet care.

Pros

  • Qualified vet nurse sitters
  • Offers post-operative care
  • Offers special needs support
  • Daily updates and photos during overnight sitting
  • Easy booking process

Cons

  • Limited availability for last-minute bookings
  • No specific discounts or deals

6. Golden Pawz Pet Sitting

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Address: Church Rd, Ruffey Lake Park 

Phone: +61 1300 132 154

Business hours: Tues-Sun: 7:00 am – 6:30 pm

Website

Instagram

Golden Pawz Pet Sitting operates with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This makes it feel more like a friend caring for your pet than a typical service.

The personal touch is evident, from daily updates to the carer’s genuine interest in each pet’s personality and needs.

During our trial of their daily care visit, our pets quickly warmed to the pet sitter who thoughtfully brought treats and toys.

We really love how flexible their services are. They offer everything, from quick check-ins to full-day doggy daycare, making it easy to find an option that suits any schedule or needs.

Their setup covers all essentials: personalized care, playtime, and even household tasks like bringing in the mail if you’re away.

One thing to note: Golden Pawz is popular, so bookings can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons.

Prices are fair, though without discounts, frequent use may become costly.

Pros

  • Personalized care
  • Attentive staff
  • Flexible service options
  • Friendly, home-like vibe

Cons

  • Limited availability
  • No discounts or special offers
  • High prices

Dog Came Back Happy and Healthy

“Sharon looked after our boy for 3 weeks while we were away. He came back happy and healthy so it was clear that he was well looked after during his stay. He also enjoyed the company of Teddy and other dogs. She was easy to get in touch with and promptly gave us updates when requested.”

– Jason Ilustre, Google Review

Very Communicative and Provide Plenty of Updates

“Sharon and Jessica take care of Dino often – and practically his second home. The service is flexible in case of unplanned changes, they are very communicative and provide plenty of updates during Dinos stay. Dino is always excited when I bring him over – I highly recommend Golden Paw!”

– Gil Avraham, Google Review

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