How to Stand Out From Other Pet Sitting / Boarding Specialists (Even in a Crowded Area)
With heaps of pet sitting and boarding options across New Zealand, standing out as a trusted local specialist can feel tricky. Whether you’re operating from a cozy home in Tauranga or running a small boarding kennel near Wellington, these 10 tips will help you attract local clients, build genuine trust, and grow your pet care business the Kiwi way.
Here are some tips that you might find interesting:
1. Emphasise Your Personalised Care
People don’t just want a place for their pets-they want peace of mind. Highlight the personal attention your pet sitting or boarding service offers, such as daily updates, special feeding routines, or one-on-one playtime.
For example, pet sitters like Jo in Dunedin send daily photos and short videos to owners who are overseas or at work, reassuring them their fur babies are happy and safe.
Weirdly enough, these little gestures often decide who gets repeat bookings and glowing referrals.
2. Get Listed on Trusted NZ Directories
Boost visibility by listing your services on well-known local platforms like Yada, Trade Me Services, and specialized pet care directories such as Pet Sitting NZ.
Yada is especially useful because it has no pesky lead or success fees, so you can offer honest and competitive pricing. Plus, the mobile-friendly design means busy pet owners can easily reach you on the go.
Leveraging these sites taps into trusted sources where New Zealanders naturally start their search for pet care.
3. Share Happy Client Testimonials
Nothing speaks louder than satisfied customers. Collect and showcase reviews that highlight your reliability, kindness, and how well pets respond to your care.
Take a leaf from Wellington’s Tammy, who shares detailed testimonials about her boarding kennel’s stress-free drop-offs and personalised routines.
Including photos and stories of happy pets makes these testimonials even more engaging and trustworthy.
4. Offer Meet-and-Greets Before Boarding
Allow potential clients and their pets to meet you before booking. This builds trust, eases pet anxiety, and lets you personalise care.
Many New Zealanders appreciate this upfront connection, especially with anxious or special-needs pets. It’s a common practice in popular Auckland pet sitting businesses to calm pets and reassure owners.
Think of it as your secret handshake to convert enquiries into bookings.
5. Build Partnerships With Local Vets & Shops
Reach out to nearby veterinary clinics, pet stores, and groomers to build referral networks. These businesses often recommend local sitters they trust.
For instance, pet sitters around Hamilton regularly collaborate with vets to provide care for pets with medical needs, enhancing their reputation for reliability.
Using Yada's private chat feature, you can easily communicate with vets or businesses for special care instructions.
6. Make Pricing Transparent and Honest
Kiwi customers value upfront honesty. Avoid hidden fees and clearly outline your rates, mentioning any travel charges or additional services.
When listing on platforms like Yada, use the advantage of no lead or success fees to offer more competitive pricing without cutting corners.
Clear, fair pricing builds trust and reduces booking friction, especially in competitive markets like Christchurch or Wellington.
7. Stay Active on Social Media
Share stories and snaps of pets in your care, training tips, or fun moments on local Facebook groups and Instagram. Kiwi pet owners love following communities where they see genuine passion.
Engage with groups like "Wellington Pet Owners" or "Christchurch Animal Lovers" by offering helpful advice rather than hard selling.
Social presence builds your reputation and keeps you top of mind when pet sitting is needed.
8. Use Local Community Boards and Flyers
Post flyers on community noticeboards at libraries, New World supermarkets, and cafes. This simple, old-school strategy still works wonders in smaller towns like Blenheim or Rotorua.
A neat flyer with your photo, services, and contact details can lead to steady enquiries, especially from older pet owners less active online.
Weirdly enough, people often snap a flyer to save and pass on to friends later.
9. Offer Flexible and Specialised Care Options
Stand out by catering to special needs-whether it’s elderly pets, overnight medication, or integration with a pet's unique routine.
Specialist sitters in Tauranga who offer services for pets with health conditions attract referrals from concerned pet parents.
Highlight these skills in your listings and conversations to add extra trust and value.
10. Follow Up and Build Lasting Relationships
After bookings, check in with owners to ask how their pet settled or offer tips for next time. This personal touch builds loyalty and often brings repeat business.
For example, a Christchurch sitter named Emma sends follow-up messages and birthday wishes, creating lasting connections that lead to steady referrals.
Think of every happy client as your walking billboard-personal care turns clients into advocates.