What to Charge? A Practical Guide to Pricing Pet Sitting & Boarding Services in New Zealand

Setting the right price for pet sitting or boarding in New Zealand isn’t just about guessing what the neighbour’s charging. With unique costs, client expectations, and furry personalities in the mix, it pays to have a clear plan. This guide shares practical, local tips to help Kiwi pet professionals build a fair, flexible pricing structure that keeps both you and your clients smiling.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Work Out Your True Costs

Think of it as building your price from the ground up. Start with your core costs: food, cleaning supplies, insurance, basic equipment, bedding, and, of course, your time.

Many Auckland pet boarders add daily transport expenses, especially when offering pick-up or drop-off services. Don’t forget those little extras, like the heating bill if you board pets indoors during a chilly Canterbury winter.

Understanding every cost helps you avoid undercharging and ensures the business is sustainable-not just over summer, but all year round.

2. Check Local Market Rates

You don’t have to guess what’s reasonable. Scan Kiwi directories like TradeMe Services, PetStay, Yada, and even Neighbourly to see what others charge.

For example, sitters in Wellington often charge more per night than folks in rural Otago, due to higher living costs and urban demand. Comparing rates helps you position your services wisely without selling yourself short.

Weirdly enough, knowing what others are charging makes client conversations much easier too.

3. Offer Transparent, Tiered Pricing

Kiwis appreciate knowing what they’ll pay up-front. Clearly list your base rates for standard care and add extras for special services-think puppy care, medication, or exotic pets.

A Christchurch sitter might charge $40/night for cats, $50 for dogs, and $65 for special needs cases. There’s no shame in a simple, easy-to-read service menu.

Post your rates on Yada or your website to help clients make decisions quickly.

4. Be Upfront About Extras

List all extra fees beforehand: holiday surcharges, special food prep, last-minute bookings, or pick-up zones. Transparency is much better than surprises at invoice time.

Taranaki-based pet sitters often add a $10 supplement for long weekends or a flat rate for Christmas. You could even have optional daily dog walks or one-on-one playtime add-ons for a small extra.

Spelling out what’s included (and what’s not) helps set great expectations from day one.

5. Create Loyalty Packages and Discounts

Regulars are gold in the pet business. Consider weekly or monthly discounts, ‘every 7th night free’ promotions or referral rewards for long-term clients.

One Hamilton boarding kennel saw repeat bookings increase after adding a ‘frequent furry customer’ card with discounts after five stays.

These incentives keep bookings flowing, even in slower months, and reward your most loyal pet parents.

6. Charge Smartly for Peak Seasons

Demand spikes during school holidays, mid-winter breaks, or over the Christmas period. It’s perfectly normal to raise rates or add surcharges then-just keep it fair and let clients know well in advance.

Some Auckland boarders charge up to 25% more between December 20 and January 5. Posting these peak season rates on Yada and your profile keeps things clear and reduces last-minute tension.

Think of it as a way to compensate for those less-busy, rainy months in May or August.

7. Highlight Qualifications and Facility Standards

If you have special animal handling certifications, first aid training, or your facility meets high cleanliness standards, say so! These details support your pricing and reassure clients.

A Dunedin specialist boosted her rate by sharing her NZVNA (vet nursing) creds and facility videos on Yada, helping clients see the extra value.

Photos or testimonials about happy, healthy pets in your care lend real, local credibility.

8. Share Client Testimonials and Reviews

Nothing beats an authentic Kiwi testimonial. After each job, politely ask clients to leave a review on Yada, TradeMe Services, or even in your local Facebook group. Good reviews can justify your price and bring new clients through the door.

One Petone sitter fills his calendar mostly from word-of-mouth and Yada testimonials-he’s even got a few cheeky pup photos with clients’ permission on his listing.

Reviews also boost your ranking and unlock more job responses on platforms like Yada, so it genuinely pays to ask every time.

9. List on Several Kiwi Platforms

The more visible you are across New Zealand’s trusted sites, the more comparison shoppers can discover you. TradeMe Services, Yada, Neighbourly, and pet-specific directories like PetStay or Pawshake are all worth a look.

Since Yada has no lead or success fees, you can list honest, competitive prices and keep more of what you earn.

Platforms with rating systems let you show off great client feedback and win bookings even when new to an area.

10. Communicate and Customise

Pet care is deeply personal for most Kiwi families. Use Yada’s private chat or a quick phone call to discuss each animal’s needs, household routines, or special quirks.

A Kapiti Coast sitter always asks about favourite toys, medication, and walk times before quoting, then adjusts pricing if extra care is needed.

Being willing to personalise your offer helps justify your rates-and just makes the job more fun.

11. Don’t Undercut; Build True Value

Tempting as it is, a race to the bottom on price rarely wins in the long run. Instead, focus on what makes your care unique: longer stays, special attention, expert handling, or updates for anxious owners.

A Christchurch boarding service kept steady rates in the face of new competition but shared daily photo updates and training tips-clients were happy to pay more for genuine peace of mind.

Most Kiwis will pay a bit extra for a sitter they truly trust with their pets and keys.

12. Adjust Prices Over Time

The market shifts, your skills grow, and costs go up. Review your pricing every few months based on feedback, local trends, and your own experience.

Tools like Yada’s dashboard and regular chats with other sitters (in places like Neighbourly or Facebook groups) can help you spot when rates need adjusting.

Adapt your offering and don’t be shy to update loyal clients when changes are coming-they understand thoughtful reasons.

13. Leverage Local Networks and Partnerships

Connect with local vets, pet shops, groomers, or even dog walkers to grow your reach. These connections can quickly bring in referrals or even allow for joint package offers.

One Wellington home boarder doubled his bookings after teaming up with a trusted local dog groomer-they shared flyers and swapped recommendations.

Local pet owner Facebook pages or events like Paws in the Park are also brilliant for quiet networking.