Where your dog stays
Kennels. A kennel or run at a boarding facility.
Petme. A sitter's home, or your own home with a house sitter.
Petme in New Zealand
Dog kennels or a home sitter in New Zealand?
Kennels: NZ$25-68 a day. A sitter's home: NZ$40-65 a night. Here is how they compare.
Most Kiwi pet owners compare kennels and home-based pet sitting when they need overnight care. The right pick depends on your pet, the length of the stay, and how stressed your pet gets in unfamiliar places.
Find a sitter0%
Service fee for pet owners
NZ$39,000+
maximum toward eligible vet costs
300K+
Members on Petme
4.9 / 5
Average sitter rating
Side by side
What’s the actual difference?
How the price is counted
Kennels. Per calendar day, so a Friday drop-off and Sunday pick-up is three days. Some add a public holiday surcharge.
Petme. Per night, at the rate the sitter sets, GST inclusive.
What it costs
Kennels. NZ$25-68 a day at the kennels we checked in October 2026.
Petme. NZ$40-65 a night, going by what local sitters charged in October 2026.
Cats
Kennels. A cattery, NZ$15-22 a day at the catteries we checked.
Petme. Cat visits at home, NZ$15-35 a visit, so the cat never leaves its territory.
Entry rules
Kennels. Each kennel sets its own, and boarding kennels commonly ask for proof of current vaccinations.
Petme. You agree health details and the routine with the sitter in chat before you book.
If your pet needs a vet
Kennels. Ask the kennel how vet care is arranged and who pays.
Petme. The Protection Plan can contribute up to NZ$39,000+ toward eligible vet costs, subject to its terms.
Fees on top
Kennels. The kennel's price is the price.
Petme. 0% service fee for owners, and cashback on completed bookings.
Why home sitting
Why most Petme owners pick home-based care
No kennel run
Your pet stays in a real home with one-on-one attention, not a numbered run.
Verified sitters
Identity and background checks on every sitter. Real reviews from local Kiwi owners.
Your routine
You agree feeding, walks and bedtime with the sitter in chat before the stay starts.
In your suburb
Find a sitter in your neighbourhood so handover and pickup are quick.
FAQ
Pet sitting vs kennels FAQ
Are dog kennels cheaper than a pet sitter in New Zealand?
Usually, per day. The kennels we checked charged NZ$25-68 a day in October 2026, against NZ$40-65 a night for home boarding with a sitter. Kennels count both the drop-off and the pick-up day, so compare the total for your dates, not the daily rate.
How much do dog kennels charge per night in New Zealand?
Between NZ$25 and NZ$68 a day at the kennels we checked, from NZ$25 for a small dog in Nelson to NZ$68 at a West Auckland kennel. Most price by dog size and charge by calendar day rather than by night, and some add a public holiday surcharge.
Is a cattery or a cat sitter better?
It depends on the cat. A cattery cost NZ$15-22 a day at the catteries we checked, while a cat sitter visiting your home costs NZ$15-35 a visit. A cat that hates the car or new places usually does better staying home with visits.
When do kennels and sitters book out in New Zealand?
Over the school summer holidays, which start by 19 December 2026, and the 2027 term breaks in April, July and late September. Families travel then, so book kennels or a sitter for those weeks early, and check the price for public holidays.
What if my pet needs a vet while I am away?
With a kennel, ask how vet care is arranged before you book. With a Petme sitter, the Protection Plan can contribute up to NZ$39,000+ toward eligible vet costs, subject to its terms, and you agree a vet and an emergency contact with the sitter in advance.
Find a home-based sitter
Message a few sitters in chat, set up a free meet and greet, book inside the app.
Find a sitter