The Ultimate ‘Set and Forget’ Marketing Plan for Local Pet Sitting / Boarding Specialists in NZ

Running a pet sitting or boarding business in New Zealand means you’re caring for furry family members while their owners are away. But juggling between pets and finding steady clients can be tricky. This guide shares 10 easy-to-apply marketing tips tailored for Kiwi specialists who want to attract local clients without constant stress or chasing leads.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. List Your Services on NZ Pet Directories

Get yourself visible on trusted local directories like Neighbourly, TradeMe Services, and Pet Sitting NZ listings. These platforms are go-to spots for Kiwi pet owners searching for reliable sitters nearby.

For instance, a pet sitter in Nelson might pop up when locals search TradeMe Services for boarding options-creating passive traffic that works while you focus on caring for pets.

Ensure your profile includes clear photos, pricing, and a description of your pet care style to build confidence with potential clients.

2. Join Local Community Groups

Facebook groups like ‘Auckland Pet Owners’ or ‘Wellington Animal Lovers’ are buzzing with real-time requests and recommendations for pet sitting services.

Instead of hard-selling, share genuine advice or answer questions about pet care. This establishes trust and motivates owners to reach out when they need a sitter.

One Wellington sitter shared how answering queries in local groups brought consistent referrals over time without any advertising spend.

3. Promote Your Services on Yada

Yada’s Kiwi platform makes it easy for pet sitting and boarding specialists to connect directly with local clients. With no lead or success fees, you keep your full earnings and can respond to jobs for free, depending on your rating.

Imagine a holiday season rush in Queenstown, where clients post last-minute pet sitting jobs and you respond quickly from your phone, winning bookings without fuss.

Yada’s internal chat fosters direct contact with clients, building trust and reducing back-and-forth delays.

4. Collect and Feature Client Testimonials

Word-of-mouth and online reviews carry major weight in NZ’s close-knit communities. After a great pet sitting stint, ask your clients to share a quick Google or Facebook review.

A Nelson-based boarder shared how positive reviews and client stories on her website boosted enquiries by 30% within a few months.

Weirdly enough, sharing honest testimonials helps new clients relax knowing their pets are in safe hands.

5. Share Useful Pet Care Tips

Become the local go-to pet care expert by regularly sharing simple tips on social media or through community newsletters. Tips might be ‘How to keep pets calm during storms’ or ‘Top 3 ways to prepare your cat for boarding.’

This builds trust and keeps you front of mind when pet owners plan their next trip, making them more likely to book your services.

An Auckland sitter remarked that sharing tips on Instagram led to steady enquiries from followers who appreciated her genuine advice.

6. Partner with Vets and Pet Stores

Local vets, pet shops, and groomers can be great referral partners. Leave flyers or brochures at their clinics, or offer to co-host pet care talks or meet-and-greet sessions.

A Christchurch pet sitter partnered with a popular pet store for monthly meetups, bringing in clients who prefer trusted recommendations.

Focus on building friendly, reciprocal relationships with businesses catering to pet owners but not competing with your services.

7. Offer a Free Meet-and-Greet

Let potential clients meet you and their pets before booking. A no-obligation meet-and-greet helps pets feel comfortable and owners feel secure about your care.

This is especially important in NZ, where trust and personal connection often influence booking decisions.

One Wellington boarder shared how offering free meet-and-greet sessions turned hesitant pet owners into regular clients.

8. Create a Client Referral Program

Encourage your satisfied clients to refer friends by offering discounts or freebies for each new booking they bring in.

A Tauranga pet sitter doubled bookings within a few months using a referral scheme offering $20 off the next stay for both referrer and referee.

It’s an easy way to grow your business with little upfront cost while rewarding your loyal clients.

9. Attend Local Pet Events

Participate in pet expos, adoption days, and dog shows to meet new clients face to face. Set up a stand or sponsor a local event to increase visibility.

A pet sitter in Napier drew five new clients just by attending the annual dog show with flyers and free advice sessions.

Real-world connections build lasting trust and help spread your reputation in local communities.

10. Build a Simple Mobile-Friendly Website

A clean, easy-to-use website is a powerful marketing tool accessible at any time. Platforms like Wix or Squarespace can get you online without breaking the bank.

Include your services, client testimonials, pricing, and contact information. Since most Kiwis browse on mobiles, make sure your site loads fast on phones and tablets.

An Auckland sitter credits her website as the primary reason she expanded beyond her suburb to multiple Auckland areas.