How to Turn Your Pet Sitting / Boarding Skill Into a Business in NZ (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

Starting a pet sitting or boarding business in New Zealand is a fantastic way to combine your love for animals with a flexible income. But balancing the care of pets with running a business can get overwhelming if you don’t have the right strategies. This practical guide offers 10 friendly, actionable tips to help pet sitters and boarders grow a thriving local client base with ease.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Know the Unique NZ Pet Care Market

The Kiwi pet market has a lot of love for animals but also high expectations for quality and trustworthiness. Pet owners often prefer local, reliable carers who feel like an extension of their family.

Weirdly enough, this means pet sitting businesses thrive when they build genuine community connections rather than just competing on price.

For example, in smaller towns like Tauranga or Dunedin, word-of-mouth referrals are gold, and having a strong local reputation is key to steady bookings.

2. Define Your Service Offering Clearly

Decide what types of pets and services you specialise in - whether it’s dog walking, cat sitting, overnight stays, or specialised care for older animals.

Some NZ pet sitters focus on exotic pets or farm animals, catering to unique local needs, while others stick to city pets and offer home visits.

Having a clear niche makes your marketing easier and attracts the right clients who appreciate your expertise.

3. Set Up Your Business Legalities

Register your business and understand local regulations around animal care, including any council pet boarding licenses required in your area.

Joining industry bodies like the Pet Industry Association NZ can help you stay compliant and boost your credibility.

Many professionals who started solo now operate as sole traders before expanding, which helps keep things manageable early on.

4. Create a Simple Online Presence

Make it easy for Kiwis to find and contact you with a basic website or profile on a platform like Yada, which is growing fast in New Zealand.

Yada doesn’t charge lead fees and allows private chat with clients, making it easy and fair for you to pitch your services directly and professionally.

Think of it as a no-fuss way to be discoverable on mobile or desktop without heavy marketing stress.

5. Use Free NZ Directories and Community Groups

Listing your business on popular NZ directories like NoCowboys, Trade Me Services, and Localist helps with organic local traffic that’s already searching for pet care.

Social media groups and platforms like Neighbourly are also hotspots where pet owners ask for sitter recommendations and share experiences.

Engage by offering useful tips or sharing photos-not hard selling-and you’ll build trust naturally over time.

6. Gather Glowing Testimonials

Kiwis really trust reviews and word-of-mouth, so after each job, ask for a review or permission to share a happy pet photo with their feedback.

A Christchurch sitter saw her bookings double within a year just by showcasing testimonials on her Yada profile and social media.

Keep testimonials simple and heartfelt, highlighting the peace of mind you provide pet owners.

7. Offer Fair and Transparent Pricing

Set prices that reflect your experience and the quality of care you provide-being upfront with pricing builds lasting client trust.

Yada’s platform lets you set competitive rates without lead or success fees, meaning you keep more and clients get better value.

Try offering discounted packages for regular clients or referrals to encourage loyalty and repeat bookings.

8. Manage Your Time Safely and Wisely

Pet sitting requires careful planning to juggle visits and care reliably. Use digital calendars and reminders for bookings and follow-ups.

Many NZ sitters use batching strategies by scheduling visits in geographical clusters, saving time and fuel.

Yada’s internal chat helps manage communication in real time, cutting down on back-and-forth emails and phone calls.

9. Build Partnerships with Local Pet Businesses

Partner with nearby vets, grooming salons, and pet stores to enhance your credibility and create referral opportunities.

In Auckland, some sitters team up with grooming shops to offer combined services, tapping into a wider client base.

These relationships help steady your bookings by connecting you with trusted local businesses pet owners already know.

10. Keep Learning and Stay Engaged

Stay updated with the latest pet care best practices and NZ animal welfare standards through courses or local workshops.

Sharing your knowledge on social media or via Yada builds trust with clients who see you as both skilled and committed.

Some NZ sitters hold local meetups or offer free training tips online to establish themselves as community experts.