Pet sitters in Ireland who treat your dog like one of their own
Drop-in visits, day care and overnight stays with Garda-vetted local sitters. You message free, see the full price up front, and your payment is only released once the care is done.
- Counties covered
- 32
- Average rating
- 4.98
- Drop-in visits from
- €12
- Overnight from
- €35
Three ways to have your pet looked after
Pick the one that fits your week — sitters usually offer more than one.
| Service | Typical price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Drop-in visit (30 min) | €12–€18 | Feeding, fresh water, garden break, litter or cage check, and a photo update. Ideal for cats and for dogs left alone for one long stretch. |
| Day care (per day) | €20–€30 | Your dog spends the working day at the sitter's home with walks, company and rest. Best for dogs who don't cope with being alone. |
| Overnight stay (per night) | €35–€70 | Either the sitter stays at your house or your dog stays at theirs. Includes evening and morning walks, feeding and overnight company. |
| Extras | Set by the sitter | Medication, a second pet from the same house, plant watering or post collection. Agreed in the chat and shown in the price before you pay. |
What makes a good pet sitter, and how we check
Vetting is the whole point of using a platform instead of a Facebook post.
Garda vetting
Every sitter completes ID verification and Garda vetting before their profile goes live. That's a person's real identity confirmed, not a username.
Insurance
Bookings are covered while your pet is in the sitter's care, including vet costs from an incident during the booking. You never rely on a private arrangement.
Verified reviews only
A review can only be written by an owner who paid for a completed booking. That's why average ratings here move slowly and mean something.
Payment held
Your money sits in escrow until the visit or stay is finished. Sitters are paid out after, which keeps everyone honest and means a no-show costs you nothing.
Sitters taking bookings now
Message as many as you like — it's free, and most reply within a couple of hours.
Pet sitters by county
- Pet sitters in County DublinWalks from €18 · nights from €40
- Pet sitters in County WicklowWalks from €17 · nights from €38
- Pet sitters in County KildareWalks from €16 · nights from €35
- Pet sitters in County MeathWalks from €16 · nights from €35
- Pet sitters in County CorkWalks from €16 · nights from €36
- Pet sitters in County LimerickWalks from €15 · nights from €33
- Pet sitters in County GalwayWalks from €16 · nights from €35
Questions owners ask before booking a sitter
What does a pet sitter actually do?
A pet sitter cares for your animal on a schedule you agree: drop-in visits for feeding, water, litter and a garden break; day care in the sitter's home; or overnight stays where they sleep at your house or host your dog at theirs. Every visit on PawPals ends with a photo update in the chat.
How much does a pet sitter cost in Ireland?
Drop-in visits typically run €12–€18, day care €20–€30, and overnight stays €35–€70 depending on county and the number of animals. Dublin and Wicklow sit at the top of each range. All prices on PawPals are VAT-inclusive and shown before you pay.
Do you cover cats and other pets?
PawPals is built around dogs, and every sitter is dog-first. Many will also feed a cat, rabbit or fish in the same house while they're there for your dog — agree it in the chat before booking so it's part of the job and the price.
How are sitters checked?
Every sitter completes ID verification and Garda vetting before their listing goes live, and each booking is covered while the pet is in the sitter's care. Reviews can only be left by owners who actually paid for a booking, so the ratings you see are from real jobs.
What happens if my sitter cancels?
Your payment is held until the booking is complete, so a cancelled booking is refunded in full. Our support team will also help you find a replacement sitter nearby — in cities that usually happens the same day.
Is pet sitting better than a kennel or cattery?
For most animals, staying in a home is calmer: familiar routine, no kennel noise, and one-to-one attention. Kennels suit dogs who are genuinely happier in a structured facility, or where a medical need requires it. We've written an honest comparison on the kennel alternative page.
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