Tips on finding a pet sitter for the holidays

This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for personalised veterinary advice. Always speak with your vet about your pet’s individual health needs. Accurate as at 5 October 2026.

Planning a holiday comes with plenty of decisions, and one of the most important is making sure your pet will be happy and well cared for while you’re away. After all, they’re family too. Finding someone you trust to look after them can help you head off knowing they’re in good hands.

A good pet sitter can be worth their weight in gold, helping to ensure you pet is well cared for while allowing them stay in familiar surroundings and maintain their usual routine while you’re away. Here are our tips for finding the right pet sitter for you and your pet and getting everything ready so both you and your pet can enjoy the break.

Table of contents

• Is a pet sitter right for your pet?
• Where to start your search
• What to look for in a good pet sitter
• Questions worth asking
• Getting your pet (and your home) ready
• What to leave for your sitter
• Pet insurance and its role in your pet’s care

Is a pet sitter right for your pet?

When you’re planning a holiday, there are a few ways to make sure your pet is well cared for while you’re away. You might choose a pet sitter who visits or stays in your home, or one who cares for pets in their own home, have your pet stay with someone you and your pet know and trust such as a friend, neighbour or a family member, or consider a boarding facility. There’s no single right answer. The best option will depend on your pet’s personality, routine, and individual needs.

For pets who are more at ease with familiar sights, smells, and routines, an in-home pet sitter can be a great option. It may also suit pets who find new places or being around unfamiliar animals stressful. Cats, in particular, can be sensitive to changes in their environment, so staying at home may help them feel more comfortable. The important thing is choosing an arrangement that works best for your pet.

Where to start your search

When it comes to finding someone to care for your pet, a recommendation from someone you trust can be a valuable place to start.

A few good places to start are:

• Ask someone your pet already knows. A trusted friend, family member or neighbour could be a great option, especially if your pet already feels comfortable around them.
• Look for a reputable pet-sitting service. Take some time to check their experience, credentials, and reviews from other pet parents.
• Ask fellow pet parents. If they’ve found a sitter they trust, a personal recommendation can be a helpful place to start.
• Have a chat with staff at your vet clinic. They may offer pet care services themselves or be able to suggest options in your area.

A little planning goes a long way: popular pet sitters can book up quickly during busy travel periods, so it’s worth starting your search early. Doing so gives you plenty of time to arrange a meet-and-greet, discuss expectations and your pet’s needs, and make any preparations before you go away.

What to look for in a good pet sitter

You’re trusting someone with a much-loved member of the family, and potentially your home as well, so it’s important to find a pet sitter who’s reliable, caring, and ready for the responsibility.

A good sitter should:

• Get to know your pet before you go. They should be happy to meet you and your pet beforehand and learn about their personality and routine. A meet-and-greet also gives you the chance to make sure the arrangement is a good fit for both your pet and the sitter.
• Take an active interest in your pet’s wellbeing. A good sitter should pay a close attention to your pet, notice if something seems out of the ordinary, and be prepared to respond appropriately if they have any concerns about your pet’s health, behaviour, or wellbeing. They should also take the time to understand your pet’s habits and preferences including how they like to interact with people.
• Know how to keep your pet safe and secure. Make sure your sitter understands how to keep your pet safe in their care and is willing to follow your instructions. For cats, this may mean keeping them safely contained at home or providing all the necessary physical and mental stimulation within the property, for some cats this may include having access to a secure outdoor enclosure, such as a catio. For dogs, this may mean only allowing off-leash exercise if you’re comfortable with it, always keeping them on a leash near roads, wildlife, or unfamiliar dogs, and choosing appropriate locations for walks, play and exercise. It may also mean making sure pets are safe, including preventing access to human food, and other household hazards.
• Know what to do if your pet needs unexpected vet care. They should have the details of your regular vet clinic and nearest emergency vet clinic, know how to contact you, and be willing and able to seek veterinary help if needed.
• Make time for more than the basics. Food and fresh water matter, of course, but so do company, exercise, play, and mental stimulation. Talk your sitter through the things your pet enjoys, so they can keep up the familiar activities and routines that help your pet feel relaxed and settled while you’re away.
• Be open to providing updates while you’re away. If you’d like regular updates, a good sitter should be happy to discuss how they’ll check in and whether they can provide photos or messages to let you know how your pet is doing. This can help give you peace of mind while you’re away.

Questions worth asking

A meet-and-greet before you book is the perfect time to see how your pet and the sitter get along, and to ask a few practical questions:

• For pet sitters who will visit your pet in your home; how often will you visit each day, how long will each visit typically last, and what will you do during that time?
• For sitters who will stay in your home; how much time will you typically spend with my pet each day? Do you have any regular commitments that may mean my pet is left alone for periods of time?
• For facilities caring for pets away from home; how much one-on-one care, exercise, and interaction will my pet receive each day?
• What would you do if my pet became unwell or there was an emergency? How will you get my pet to the vet if needed?
• Do you have experience caring for pets with similar needs to mine? How will you spend time with my pet? How do you plan to keep them physically active and mentally stimulated? Are you comfortable following my pet’s usual routine and feeding plan?
• How will you keep me updated while I’m away, and are you happy to send regular photos or messages?

Pay attention to how your pet responds to the sitter, too. They might not become familiar with one another straight away, but meeting beforehand can help everyone become a little more comfortable. It gives your pet a chance to meet the sitter in your reassuring presence, gives you an opportunity to discuss your expectations and share any important information about your pet, and helps the sitter learn more about your pet.

Getting your pet (and your home) ready

Once you’ve found the right sitter, a little preparation can help things run smoothly and keep your pet as comfortable as possible while you’re away:

• Check your pet’s identification details. Make sure your pet’s registration, microchip, and ID tag details are up to date, including your contact information. That way, there’s a better chance you can be contacted quickly if your pet goes missing.
• Consider a vet check-up. If your pet is due for a check-up or you have any concerns about their health, it’s worth speaking with your vet before you go. You should also make sure your sitter knows about any health needs to keep an eye on, including any allergies, medical conditions, medications, dietary requirements, and when to seek vet advice if they have concerns.
• Keep your pet’s favourite things handy. Leave out familiar toys, enrichment activities, and other comforts your pet enjoys. Keeping familiar activities and routines in place can help your pet feel more settled while you’re away.
• Stock up on the essentials. Leave enough of your pet’s usual food and any medications to cover the time you’ll be away, plus a few extra days’ supply in case your return is delayed. Make sure your sitter has clear feeding and medication instructions, too.
• Get your home ready for your sitter. If they’ll be caring for your pet in your home, make sure they have everything you need, such as keys, alarm and heating instructions, emergency contact details, information about any post or deliveries that may be coming, and clear guidance about any areas of the home that are off limits, as well as any household rules or routines they should follow.

What to leave for your sitter

Even if you’ve talked everything through, it’s a good idea to leave your sitter clear, written instructions they can refer back to.

A simple note on the fridge can cover:

• Feeding: how much, when, and any dietary requirements.
• Exercise and daily routines: including walks, playtime, toilet breaks, and bedtime habits.
• Medications: what they need, when they need it, and how it should be given.
• Your vet’s details: including their phone number and address, along with contact details of the nearest emergency veterinary clinic.
• Emergency contacts: your contact details while you’re away, plus a trusted local friend or a family member s your sitter can reach if they can’t get hold of you.
• The little things that matter: where your pet likes to hide or sleep, what might make them nervous, their favourite activities, including their usual habits and behaviours, and where the treats are kept.

The more your sitter knows about your pet’s usual routine and preferences, the easier it’ll be to give them the right care they’re used to while you’re away.

Pet insurance and its role in your pet’s care

Even with the best sitter and the best-laid plans, pets can still get unwell or injured unexpectedly. That’s where pet insurance comes in, covering a portion of your pet’s eligible vet bills so you can focus solely on getting them the care they need.

With an RSPCA Pet Insurance PetFlex policy, you can also customise your pet’s cover to suit their needs and your budget. And with every policy contributing to vital RSPCA animal welfare initiatives, including rescue, rehab, and rehoming efforts, it’s protection with purpose. For your own pet and thousands of others across Australia.

To learn more about how RSPCA Pet Insurance could support you and your pet, click here. Or, if you’re ready to take the next step, you can fetch a commitment-free pet insurance quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

References

[1] RSPCA Australia. How can I find a good boarding facility for my companion animal? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pets-and-holidays/how-can-i-find-a-good-boarding-facility-for-my-companion-animal

[2] RSPCA Australia. Can I take my cat with me when I go on holiday? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pets-and-holidays/can-i-take-my-cat-with-me-when-i-go-on-holiday

[3] RSPCA Australia. Can you give me some advice on caring for my dog? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/can-you-give-me-some-advice-on-caring-for-my-dog

[4] RSPCA Australia. Why is it important to ensure my pet is microchipped? RSPCA Knowledgebase. Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/pet-ownership/why-is-it-important-to-ensure-my-pet-is-microchipped

[5] RSPCA (UK). Exploring your pet sitting options. Available from: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/holiday/leavingyourpet

[6] VCA Animal Hospitals. Pet sitter options. Available from: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/pet-sitter-options

[7] Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. How to choose the right dog walker or pet sitter. Available from: https://www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/how-find-dog-walker-day-care-or-dog-sitter