Introduction
Finding a reliable Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in Melbourne is a common need for busy professionals, frequent travellers, shift workers, and families juggling school runs and long commutes. In a city with dense inner suburbs, apartment living, and dog-friendly parks, many pet owners want consistent exercise and in-home care they can trust.
In this guide, you’ll learn what a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter typically offers, what it costs in Melbourne, and how to compare providers quickly. You’ll also find a shortlist of established services with publicly accessible information.
This list was evaluated using practical, local SEO-focused criteria: clear service scope, pricing transparency where publicly stated, signs of real customer feedback (where available), and overall reputation signals that can be checked via official websites and publicly visible profiles. Where details weren’t publicly stated, they’re marked as such.
About Dog Walker / Pet Sitter
A Dog Walker / Pet Sitter helps pet owners keep routines stable when life gets busy. Dog walkers focus on exercise, enrichment, and safe handling on-lead (and sometimes off-lead where appropriate and permitted). Pet sitters typically provide in-home visits, overnight stays, feeding, medication support (when agreed), litter/yard checks, and companionship to reduce stress and separation anxiety.
You might need a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in Melbourne if you work long hours, have limited mobility, have a new puppy with toilet-training needs, or you’re travelling and want your pet cared for in a familiar environment.
Average cost in Melbourne: Pricing varies widely by suburb, pet type, duration, and whether care is one-on-one. As a broad guide, many owners see dog walking quoted per walk and pet sitting quoted per visit or per night. Exact rates are not universal and depend on the provider, time, and requirements.
Licensing/certifications: In Melbourne (and more broadly in Victoria), dog walking and pet sitting generally do not require a dedicated occupational licence. However, reputable providers often carry public liability insurance, complete pet first aid training, and may offer identity checks or police checks (especially on platforms that facilitate booking).
Key takeaways
- Dog walking prioritises exercise, safety, and routine.
- Pet sitting ranges from quick check-ins to overnight stays.
- Expect pricing to vary by duration, number of pets, and care complexity.
- No single “required licence” is commonly mandated, but insurance and first aid training are strong trust signals.
- A meet-and-greet and written care instructions are standard best practice.
How We Selected the Best Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in Melbourne
We used a practical set of selection criteria aimed at helping Melbourne pet owners choose confidently:
- Years of experience (when publicly stated)
- Verified customer review signals (only where publicly accessible and clearly attributable)
- Service range (walking, drop-ins, house sitting, boarding, medication support where offered)
- Pricing transparency (publicly stated ranges, clear “varies/depends” explanations, or structured membership pricing)
- Local reputation (brand presence, operational clarity, and easy-to-find policies/contact pathways)
Only publicly available information was used where confidently known. If details like phone numbers, emails, or review summaries weren’t clearly published by the business, they’re marked as Not publicly stated rather than guessed.
About Melbourne
Melbourne is a large, pet-friendly city with a mix of high-density inner suburbs and spacious family areas further out. Demand for Dog Walker / Pet Sitter services is steady across the year, especially around school holidays, long weekends, and peak work periods.
Owners commonly look for support in areas with busy lifestyles and high dog ownership, including (but not limited to) Richmond, South Yarra, St Kilda, Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Docklands, Port Melbourne, Northcote, and Hawthorn. Coverage ultimately depends on each provider’s service radius and sitter availability.
Top 5 Best Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in Melbourne
#1 — Mad Paws
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Dog walking, pet sitting, house sitting, pet boarding (availability varies by sitter), drop-in visits (varies / depends)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (set by individual carers)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.madpaws.com.au/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Choice and flexibility across Melbourne suburbs (many carers and booking options)
#2 — Pawshake
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Dog walking, home visits, house sitting, daycare/boarding options (varies by sitter and area)
- Price Range: Varies / depends (set by individual sitters)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.pawshake.com.au/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Owners wanting sitter profiles and booking tools in one place
#3 — PetCloud
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: Dog walking, pet sitting, house sitting, pet boarding (service types vary by carer)
- Price Range: Varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.petcloud.com.au/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Owners who prefer an Australian-based booking platform with broad service categories
#4 — TrustedHousesitters
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: In-home pet sitting via house sitting arrangements (typically no paid per-visit walking service; depends on sitter agreement)
- Price Range: Membership-based; varies / depends (no standard per-night sitter fee model)
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Longer trips where owners want live-in care (and are comfortable with a matching process)
#5 — Aussie House Sitters
- Rating (format: 4.7/5 or “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Years of Experience: Not publicly stated
- Services Offered: House sitting with pet care (arrangements vary by sitter; walking frequency depends on agreement)
- Price Range: Membership/listing based; varies / depends
- Contact Phone: Not publicly stated
- Contact Email (if available): Not publicly stated
- Website (if available): https://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au/
- Google Map or ProfessNow or Yelp Link (Leave it blank)
- Google Reviews Summary (summarized, not copied; if unknown write “Not publicly stated”): Not publicly stated
- Best For (Budget / Emergency / Premium / Family-Friendly / etc.): Owners planning ahead who want in-home care without typical nightly sitter pricing
Comparison Table
| Professional | Rating | Experience | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Paws | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Flexible options across Melbourne |
| Pawshake | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Profile-based booking and choice |
| PetCloud | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Varies / depends | Broad pet-care categories via a platform |
| TrustedHousesitters | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Membership-based; varies / depends | Longer trips with live-in care |
| Aussie House Sitters | Not publicly stated | Not publicly stated | Membership/listing based; varies / depends | Planning ahead for house-sitting style care |
Cost of Hiring a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in Melbourne
In Melbourne, the cost of a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter depends heavily on whether you’re booking a solo walk, a group walk, a short home visit, or overnight care. Many providers price dog walking per walk (often based on duration) and pet sitting per visit or per night.
Average price range (general guide):
- Dog walking is commonly priced per session, with longer walks costing more.
- Pet sitting drop-ins are commonly priced per visit.
- Overnight house sitting is typically priced higher due to the time commitment and responsibility.
Emergency pricing: Some providers charge higher rates for same-day bookings, public holidays, late-night visits, or extended travel distance. Not all providers offer emergency availability, and it often depends on scheduling.
What affects cost
- Duration and frequency (one-off vs recurring weekly walks)
- Number of pets (second dog, multi-pet households, different species)
- Care complexity (puppies, reactive dogs, medication routines)
- Time of day and day of week (peak hours, weekends, public holidays)
- Travel distance and parking (inner-city congestion can increase time on task)
- Service type (walks vs drop-ins vs overnight care vs boarding)
If you’re comparing quotes, ask what’s included (walk length, photo updates, feeding, litter/yard checks, basic training reinforcement) and what triggers extra charges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter cost in Melbourne?
Costs vary by service type and suburb. Most pricing is per walk, per visit, or per night, with higher rates for longer sessions, multiple pets, weekends, and public holidays.
How to choose the best Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in Melbourne?
Start with a meet-and-greet, confirm experience with your pet’s breed/temperament, and check what safety steps they use (leads, harness fit, transport rules). Choose someone who communicates clearly and provides written booking details.
Are licenses required in Melbourne?
A dedicated licence for dog walking/pet sitting is generally not publicly stated as required. Many reputable carers rely on insurance, first aid training, and clear policies rather than formal licensing.
Who offers 24/7 service in Melbourne?
Not publicly stated. Availability depends on the individual business or sitter’s roster. If you need overnight or late-night visits, confirm hours and emergency protocols before booking.
What’s the difference between dog walking and pet sitting?
Dog walking focuses on exercise and enrichment during a timed session. Pet sitting usually covers feeding, companionship, home checks, and care routines, either via drop-in visits or overnight stays.
Should I choose in-home pet sitting or boarding?
In-home sitting suits pets that dislike change or need routine in their own space. Boarding can suit social dogs that do well in a new environment. The best option depends on temperament, age, and medical needs.
Do Dog Walker / Pet Sitter services include feeding and medication?
Sometimes. Many sitters will feed and administer routine medication if agreed in advance, but it varies by provider and complexity. Confirm exactly what they will and won’t do, in writing.
How do I know my dog will be walked safely?
Ask about lead policy, group size (if any), off-lead rules, and how they handle dog-to-dog interactions. A professional will explain their approach to reactivity, recall, and traffic risks.
What information should I provide before the first booking?
Share your pet’s routine, vet details, allergies, triggers, behaviour notes, and emergency contacts. Provide equipment instructions (harness fit, lead type) and home access details if relevant.
Can I book regular weekly walks in Melbourne?
Often yes, but it depends on capacity and your suburb. Regular bookings are usually easier to maintain with the same walker if you schedule consistent times.
Final Recommendation
If you want maximum choice across Melbourne suburbs, start with Mad Paws, Pawshake, or PetCloud—these options typically let you compare multiple carers, services, and schedules in one place (availability and pricing vary by individual).
If you’re planning a longer trip and prefer live-in care at home rather than per-night pet sitting fees, TrustedHousesitters or Aussie House Sitters can suit owners who are comfortable with a matching process and arranging expectations upfront.
For budget vs premium: budget-friendly outcomes usually come from flexible scheduling and planning ahead, while premium outcomes come from one-on-one care, longer visits, and carers experienced with complex routines.
Get Your Business Listed
If you’re a Dog Walker / Pet Sitter in Melbourne and want your details added or updated in this guide, email contact@professnow.com. You can also registe & Update yourself at https://professnow.com/.