Pet sitting prices may be on the rise but Adelaide sitters say they make less than minium wage for overnight stays
If you want your dog or cat to be pampered like a family member you’re going to pay top dollar and now pet sitters reveal the true cost of overnight stays.
Overnight pet sitting in Adelaide can cost more than a hotel stay, but the people caring for our pets say the pay doesn’t reflect the work.
South Australian pet sitters are charging up to $168 a night — but many say they’re still earning less than $10 an hour.
With overnight stays often lasting 10 to 12 hours or more, sitters like 24-year-old Stevie Barrow say rising prices don’t mean they’re cashing in.
“I typically charge $50 for overnight stays, but my costs vary depending on the job,” said Munno Para-based Ms Barrow, who has been doing the job for four years.
“People sometimes see the cost of pet sitting and think it’s expensive, but many sitters earning on the higher end are only making around $6.80 an hour — and that’s before platform fees.”
That’s far below minimum wage.
“If you compare this to an average wage of $35 an hour, for 11 hours of work you’d be looking at almost $400,” she said.
“Pet sitters simply can’t make a living on rates this low.”
Platforms like MadPaws and Pawshake allow sitters to set their own prices but take commissions of up to 20 per cent.
Since the pandemic, demand has surged as people return to travel and office work, pushing owners to pay more for in-home care that closely follows their pets’ usual routines.
Ms Barrow, who is also studying nursing and photography, now mostly takes private bookings through Facebook.
She charges $50 a night plus $5 for each additional pet.
Drop-in visits start at $20, and dog walks at $10 — with no extra charge for administering medication or extra attention.
“It’s much more than just feeding them,” she said.
“Cats especially can suffer separation anxiety, which affects their eating and health.
“I spend time playing, brushing or just sitting with them so they don’t feel alone.”
Online, Adelaide sitters’ overnight rates vary widely — from $27 to $168.
A MadPaws spokesman said this reflects a broader shift toward “pet humanisation,” where animals are seen as family and expect care to match.
“No longer is pet care just about making sure they’re fed and watered — it’s about enrichment, companionship, and maintaining routine,” the spokesman said.
The platform encourages sitters to set prices based on their experience and the level of care they provide, with some offering around-the-clock supervision or support for pets with medical needs.
But Ms Barrow said many sitters still undercharged to stay competitive, especially on public platforms.
“Most pet sitters I know are afraid to raise their rates for fear of losing clients,” she said.
“It’s a real job that deserves real pay.
“There’s a lot of unseen emotional labour — bonding with animals, easing their stress — it’s not just a transaction.”
Boarding kennels in Adelaide charge between $30 and $126 per night, but many owners prefer personalised care.
“People don’t want their dogs stuck in kennels,” Ms Barrow said.
“They want someone who treats their pets like family — and that takes time and effort.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Pet sitting prices may be on the rise but Adelaide sitters say they make less than minium wage for overnight stays
Man killed in northern suburbs shooting
A 53-year-old Taperoo man has died from a gunshot wound in Adelaide’s north.
Supercars star revs PM’s Spelling Bee
Racing legend Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom spells out the secret to his success as the father of three encourages Aussie kids to turbo charge their literacy skills in the PM’s Spelling Bee.