Setting your pet sitting rates isn’t always easy. Many sitters across New Zealand feel unsure about what to charge or how to explain their prices to pet owners.
At the same time, more people are booking sitters for holidays, work trips, day visits and regular support.
Fair and transparent pricing helps sitters feel confident in the value of their work, and it helps pet owners understand exactly what they are paying for.
To make this process simple, Pet Sitting NZ has created a free Pricing Calculator designed specifically for Kiwi pet sitters.
It gives you a personalised recommended rate based on your experience level, the type of service you offer, the number of animals you care for and any extras involved.
It also helps pet owners see what professional, reliable pet care usually costs in New Zealand.
You can try the calculator HERE
Why Pricing Matters in Pet Sitting
Pet sitting is real work. Whether it’s a short drop-in, a day sit, an overnight stay or ongoing support, sitters are responsible for the safety, wellbeing and routines of someone’s beloved pet.
Pricing reflects the time you spend travelling, feeding, cleaning, walking, providing enrichment, administering medication when needed and keeping owners updated.
For many sitters, professional standards also come with extra training or credentials.
Things like pet first aid certification, background checks, insurance, verified reviews and committing to the PSNZ Pet Care Code all contribute to trust and quality.
These assurances add value, and the calculator helps you factor them in so you don’t undercharge yourself.
When sitters across the country charge sustainably, it strengthens the pet care industry and helps raise expectations around safety, reliability and professionalism.
How the Calculator Works
The Pricing Calculator is simple to use.
You select your experience level, note any professional credentials you hold, choose the type of service you offer and include the number of animals you care for.
You can also add optional services like house care, farm care, pet taxi support or vet visits.
Once everything is selected, the calculator instantly provides a Recommended Rate along with a clear explanation of how that rate is built.
This gives you a realistic starting point and helps take away the stress of guessing what to charge.
It also gives you confidence when discussing your pricing with new clients.
What Pet Owners Can Expect to Pay
If you are a pet owner, the calculator is just as helpful.
It gives you a general idea of what professional pet care costs in New Zealand and why different sitters may charge different amounts.
A sitter’s rate usually reflects their experience, the level of care required, travel time, the number of pets in the home and whether additional tasks are involved.
Understanding these factors makes it much easier to choose the right sitter and know you’re receiving a fair and reliable service.
Building Fair and Sustainable Pet Sitting Rates Across NZ
Pet Sitting NZ created this tool to support a stronger, safer and more transparent pet care industry across the motu.
When sitters understand how to price their services properly, they are more confident, better prepared and more likely to provide consistent, high-quality care.
When pet owners know what fair pricing looks like, trust grows on both sides.
You can try the new Pet Sitting Pricing Calculator now and start discovering what your mahi is truly worth.
And if you want more support, tools or guidance, the PSNZ community is here to help.
Our free membership includes resources, tips and updates designed to help you grow your confidence and provide excellent care to pets in your region.
