Where the pet stays
Kennels. Boarding facility, often grouped runs.
Petme. A sitter’s home, on the couch, with attention.
Petme in New Zealand
Pet sitting vs kennels in New Zealand
Home-based care from NZ$45 per night. Protection Plan up to NZ$39,000+.
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.
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Service fee for pet owners
NZ$39,000+
maximum toward eligible vet costs
250K+
Members on Petme
4.9 / 5
Average sitter rating
Side by side
What’s the actual difference?
Number of pets per carer
Kennels. Often dozens of dogs per handler.
Petme. Small number per sitter, typically 1-3 dogs at a time.
Updates while you travel
Kennels. Usually none, or scheduled webcam access.
Petme. Daily photo and chat updates via the app.
Stress for cats
Kennels. Cattery environment; many unfamiliar sounds.
Petme. Cats stay at home with drop-in visits, or with a sitter in your house.
Vaccinations required
Kennels. Strict (C5, kennel cough). Document upload often manual.
Petme. Up-to-date vaccinations required. Sitters confirm before accepting.
Protection Plan
Kennels. Varies by operator; often opt-in or extra fee.
Petme. NZ$39,000+ included on every booking. No deductible.
Cost (overnight)
Kennels. NZ$30-60 per night, plus add-ons.
Petme. NZ$45-100 per night, GST inclusive, no add-ons.
Service fee for owners
Kennels. Embedded in price.
Petme. 0% service fee. Cashback on every booking.
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.
Small numbers
Most sitters host one to three dogs at a time, so the routine is calm.
In your suburb
Find a sitter in your neighbourhood so handover and pickup are quick.
FAQ
Pet sitting vs kennels FAQ
Are kennels cheaper than pet sitting in New Zealand?
Kennels are often a few dollars per night cheaper than home-based pet sitting. The trade-off is care intensity: kennels host many dogs per handler in shared runs, while Petme sitters host one to three dogs at a time in their home. Protection Plan is included automatically on Petme; it is usually optional or extra at kennels.
Is home pet sitting safer than kennels?
Home sitting reduces stress for most cats and many dogs because the environment is quiet and the carer-to-pet ratio is high. Kennels are well-suited to social dogs that enjoy group play. The best fit depends on the pet, not on a single answer.
Do Petme sitters check vaccinations?
Yes. Sitters confirm vaccination status (including kennel cough where relevant) before accepting any booking. Both sides upload records through the app.
What about catteries?
For cats, drop-in visits at home are often the best option. Your cat stays in their territory, follows their normal routine, and avoids the stress of moving. Petme cat sitters do feeding, fresh water, litter, play, and brushing on a schedule you set.
What if my pet needs a vet during a stay?
Every Petme booking includes up to NZ$39,000+ in vet expenses at any registered Kiwi vet clinic. No deductible. Open a ticket from inside the booking and we handle the claim.
Find a home-based sitter
Message a few sitters in chat, set up a free meet and greet, book inside the app.
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