The Easiest Ways to Start a Side Hustle in NZ (Even If You Have a Full-Time Job) - Pet Sitting / Boarding

Starting a pet sitting or boarding side hustle in New Zealand is a fantastic way to earn extra income while keeping your full-time job. Whether you’re caring for dogs in Auckland, cats in Christchurch, or a mix in Rotorua, this practical guide shares Kiwi-friendly tips to help you grow your pet care business from the ground up.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Leverage Local Demand for Trusted Pet Care

Kiwis love their pets and want safe, reliable care when they’re away. Offering in-home pet sitting or boarding in your own home can fill gaps when vets are booked or kennels full.

Weirdly enough, many pet owners prefer personalised care over big kennels, especially in smaller towns like Tauranga or Dunedin. Offering flexibility on drop-off and pick-up times can attract busy families and holiday-makers.

Think of it as becoming a trusted pet ‘home away from home’ in your neighbourhood.

2. Use Yada for Easy, Fee-Free Job Listings

Yada is a growing Kiwi platform perfect for pet sitters and boarders starting out. You can list your services and respond to jobs for free, with no hidden lead or success fees cutting into your earnings.

The platform’s rating system rewards good service with better job matches and higher visibility, making it ideal for busy side hustlers who want word-of-mouth to do the marketing.

Its fast, mobile-friendly design fits perfectly with managing bookings and messaging clients on the go, anywhere in New Zealand.

3. Offer Flexible and Personalised Services

Many clients appreciate flexibility-drop-in visits for feeding or dog walking, house sitting along with pet care, or weekend boarding with special attention for nervous pets.

Example: If you’re in Wellington, offering weekday drop-in checks for city workers or weekend boarding for holidaymakers can cover different client needs without overstretching yourself.

This makes your service more attractive than fixed kennel hours or strict schedules.

4. Get Listed on Popular NZ Pet Directories

Besides Yada, platforms like TradeMe Services, Localist, and even specialised pet community Facebook groups bring solid inquiries from locals.

Listing in these directories increases exposure and builds trust, especially if you include photos, clear service descriptions, and customer testimonials.

Many side-hustling pet sitters have grown steady businesses simply by being visible where Kiwis search first.

5. Collect and Showcase Client Testimonials

Pet owners put great stock in recommendations and reviews. After each boarding or sitting assignment, ask for a quick testimonial you can share on your Yada profile or social media.

For example, a boarding sitter in Christchurch grew her client base significantly after sharing heartfelt reviews and photos from happy pets with owners' permission.

Over time, these testimonials build genuine trust and referrals.

6. Partner with Vets and Groomers Locally

Friendly relationships with local vet clinics, pet groomers, and dog walkers help you tap into referral networks. A quick flyer drop at a vet in Napier or a chat with a pet store manager can lead to steady client flow.

This also makes you a part of the broader pet care ecosystem, enhancing credibility with clients who get recommendations from multiple trusted sources.

Complementary partnerships quietly bring work without expensive marketing.

7. Manage Your Bookings Efficiently

Using tools like Yada’s internal chat and scheduling features helps keep your bookings organised and your clients in the loop without juggling multiple apps.

Quick, clear communication about availability, prices, and any special pet needs avoids misunderstandings and cancellations.

Setting clear boundaries on booking times ensures your full-time job isn’t compromised.

8. Create a Simple, Trustworthy Online Presence

Even a basic one-page website or Facebook business page showcasing your services, local focus, and testimonials boosts professionalism and confidence among potential clients.

Platforms like Google Sites or Wix offer easy setups that look great on mobiles, which is how most Kiwis will check you out.

Include clear contact details, pricing info, and pet-safety assurances to build trust fast.

9. Share Useful, Pet-Related Content

Social media posts with quick care tips, happy pet photos, or quirky local pet stories build engagement and keep you front of mind for future bookings.

For instance, sharing how you prepare pets safely for summer boarding or tips for easing separation anxiety resonates well with NZ pet owners.

People prefer engaging with real, helpful content rather than ads.

10. Prioritise Safety and Insurance

Your clients’ peace of mind is everything. Make sure you have the right pet care insurance and share this information openly with clients.

Many Kiwi pet sitters have found business insurance through local providers tailored for small pet businesses-essential for protecting yourself and pets.

Being upfront about safety procedures and vaccinations also builds trust, especially post-Covid when hygiene remains a priority.