Whether it's a two-day trip to Cork or a fortnight abroad, most pet owners hit the same problem: flights booked, bags packed, and then remembered there's a dog, cat or rabbit at home who also needs a plan. Finding a pet sitter in Ireland is straightforward once you know what kind of care you actually need and what to ask before handing over a key.
Figure out which type of care you need
"Pet sitter" covers a few quite different services, and being specific gets you a better match and a more accurate quote:
- Drop-in visits: a sitter calls once or twice a day to feed, water, let the dog into the garden, or clean a litter tray, then leaves. Suits cats, small pets, and dogs comfortable alone for stretches of the day.
- Dog walking: a regular or one-off walk, useful for working owners or a dog that needs more exercise than a quick garden break.
- Boarding: your pet stays at the sitter's home for the duration, good for dogs that don't do well left alone for long periods.
- House-sitting: the sitter stays overnight at your home, so pets keep their routine and environment and the house looks lived-in while you're away.
What to ask before you book
A quick chat before booking saves problems later:
- Do they have experience with your type of pet and, if relevant, your breed's specific needs?
- Can they administer medication, and have they done it before?
- What's their plan if your pet gets sick or injured while you're away, do they have a vet they'd contact if they can't reach you?
- For boarding, how many other animals are in the home at the same time?
- For house-sitting or drop-ins, how will they get in, a key, a lockbox code, or a neighbour letting them in?
Do a trial run first
For anything longer than a single drop-in visit, arrange a short meet-and-greet, or even a trial visit, before the real booking. It lets the sitter and your pet get used to each other and gives you a chance to walk through feeding times, routines and anything unusual about your pet's behaviour, rather than explaining it all in a rushed message the morning you leave.
Book earlier around holidays
Christmas, Easter and the summer months are when most people travel, and they're also when good pet sitters get booked out fastest. If you know your travel dates, posting the job a few weeks ahead gives you a wider choice of sitters and more flexibility on price than trying to arrange something the week before you fly.
Trust and access to your home
Pet sitting, especially house-sitting or drop-in visits, means giving someone access to your home while you're not there. Read the sitter's profile and reviews carefully, and agree access arrangements clearly in advance rather than sorting it out at the last minute. It's also worth leaving written instructions, feeding amounts, vet contact details and any quirks your pet has, so nothing depends on memory.
Booking a pet sitter through Service Connect
Posting a job on Service Connect is free. Describe the type of care you need, your pet, the dates, and where you're based, and pet sitters covering your county can send you an offer with their price and terms in chat. Your card isn't charged when you post the job, only once a sitter accepts, and the full price, buyer protection fee included, is shown before you confirm anything. Stripe holds the payment until the visit or stay is marked done, and if you cancel before it starts, you get a full refund including the fee. Reviews on a sitter's profile only come from people who completed a booking with them. Sitters verify their identity, address and bank details through Stripe, but Service Connect doesn't inspect any pet-care experience or insurance they mention, so ask directly in chat, especially for medication or specific health needs.
Ready to sort care for your pet? Browse pet sitters in your county, check frequently asked questions, or get the Service Connect app to post your job.