Liam SmithLeaving my fur baby behind always makes me a little anxious—can you relate? Whether it’s a work trip, a day out, or just some “me time”, finding someone you trust to watch over your pet isn’t easy.
I’ve definitely spent way too much time scrolling through reviews and asking friends for pet-sitter recommendations. It can be overwhelming when what you really want is that peace of mind (and maybe some guilty-pleasure pet updates while you’re away).
If you’re in Ottawa and feeling the same way, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up the best pet sitters in the city so you—and your furball—can relax!
How much do pet sitters charge for their service in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, pet sitters typically charge between $20 and $40 per visit for standard care such as feeding, walks, and playtime. Prices may be higher for overnight stays, multiple pets, or specialized services like administering medication.
1. Bone Voyage Inc.
Address: Serves the Ottawa area
Phone: +1 613 323 3860
Business Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 7 AM to 7 PM
- Sunday – 7 AM to 5 PM
We were drawn in by Bone Voyage’s promise to match each dog with a caregiver whose energy and routine actually suit the dog. They don’t just pick whoever’s closest but genuinely find someone whose home will feel familiar and comfortable.
Because of that, dogs get treated as part of the household, and yes, the promise of daily updates and candid doggy pics is real! There are also no awkward surprises here—walks, playtime, and all those updates are all bundled together.
We heard from other clients that the team works hard to find last-minute spots. Meanwhile, for us, we love how direct they are if something won’t work, which adds a layer of trust.
We also like that they go for transparency—letting owners know about routines and house rules, even introducing the caregiver’s own pets before things are finalized.
On the flip side, we’ve all noticed getting responses over the phone can be a waiting game. Also, they don’t accept pee pad-dependent dogs, which rules them out for some.
Helpful and reassuring service
“Sandy with Bone Voyage is amazing! She’s helped us pair our dog-reactive dog with some truly great dog sitters. Our dog recently had a medical issue right before a trip and Sandy was extremely helpful and reassuring with a plan in place to personally drive our dog to the vet should he need it while we were away.”
Krysten Nicoll, Google Review
Attentive and caring sitters
“I cannot speak highly enough of my experience with Bone Voyage. They were able to help arrange transport to and from the airport with ease and I truly felt like my pup was getting the best care possible. Her boarding family was incredible; attentive, caring, and communicative. Thank you very much to everyone involved with Taiga’s care!”
Samantha-Shae Smuk, Google Review
2. Petminders
Address: 1315 Ave. S
Phone: +1 613 297 6002
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 9 PM
Petminders has the whole “peace of mind for pet parents” thing down to an art. They really go the extra mile, offering both cat and dog care right in the pet’s home, which a lot of owners say makes all the difference.
If someone needs overnight help or special routines for more than one pet, they’ll work out customized schedules. They even manage daily updates by text or email, so there’s never that “Are things okay at home?” anxiety.
What sets Petminders apart is how practical and hands-on they are. On top of walks, administering meds, and playtime, they also handle things like animal transportation for those necessary vet or grooming visits!
Above all, we especially appreciate how they take the time to recommend food and toys and offer advice on crate training or solving litter box mysteries—something we really haven’t seen anywhere else.
Unfortunately, they’re in high demand, with bookings often filling up fast, so planning is a must.
Responsive and helpful sitter
“We had the pleasure of using Lisa’s pet sitting services for our cat while we were away, and she was absolutely amazing! Communication was a breeze—Lisa was very responsive and made the entire process so easy. She even came over for a meet-and-greet beforehand, which was great. During the time we were gone, she took wonderful care of our cat, feeding her, playing with her, and cleaning her litter. We loved getting regular updates and photos of our cat. Lisa really helped put our minds at ease, especially since it was the first time leaving her overnight. I highly recommend Lisa for anyone in need of a reliable, caring pet sitter!”
Cindy Vinette, Google Review
Easy to communicate with
“Lisa is amazing! She communicates well and is easy to get a hold of if needed. The photo and text updates left me reassured my fur babies were in good hands. I will definitely continue to use her services.”
Program Coordinator (Catherine), Google Review
3. Part of the Pack
Address: Serves the Ottawa area
Phone: +1 613 316 0253
Business Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Unlike bigger outfits, Part of the Pack is run by a small team, which gives it that close-knit vibe and individual attention people are always looking for. Chelsea, the owner, is not only pet first aid certified and insured, but she’s also got a Level 3 Vulnerable Sector Police Check.
Thanks to that, trust and professionalism are clear from the get-go. In fact, clients we’ve chatted with really emphasized how safe they felt leaving their pets here.
Moreover, their services include in-home or pet sitter’s home boarding (always one family at a time), structured private walks, and flexible drop-in visits.
We liked that they also include brushing, playtime, feeding, and regular updates via text or email, so you never feel out of the loop. Best of all, if you have multiple pets or need extra visits, there’s transparent pricing and even some discounts!
One thing to keep in mind: because it’s such a small crew, booking can get tight.
Excellent communication
“I found out about the Packyard through a friend on Facebook and thought it would be a great place to bring my 5 mo old puppy to run, practice recalls and play. We have been twice and he LOVES it! The new-to-him toys to play with, access to fresh water for drinking and kiddie pool play and the area to sniff and explore. Chelsea ensured to contact me early into my first visit to ensure we had found the place (the map and directions were fantastic but so wonderful of her to check). Even if you have a yard, this is a great place to practice recalls in a new environment and just check out a different area for your pup to explore. So happy that we are Part of the Pack Yard!”
Lisa Flanders, Google Review
Reliable sitter
“I want to share my sincere appreciation to Chelsea, who moved into my place for almost three months to take care of Maggie, my shitzu poodle while I was out of town. She is such an amazing and caring person, who cared for Maggie and my home as if it were her own. She provided me with regular updates pictures and videos, and kept me apprised of what was going on. She took care of everything, including getting a plumber in for some repairs, and taking Maggie to her grooming appointment. I really felt that my dog was in the best of hands, and it took so much stress off my shoulders. I would highly recommend Chelsea to anyone looking for care for their pet! Thanks so much!”
Romy Bonneau, Google Review
4. Nellie’s Neighbourhood Pet Sitting
Address: Serves the Ottawa and nearby areas
Phone: +1 613 884 0391
Business Hours:
- N/A
For a pet sitter with a genuine, hands-on feel, Nellie’s Neighbourhood Pet Sitting really checks all the boxes. Tessa, the owner, is well-known for her ability to work with cats and dogs that are shy or have handling sensitivities.
In fact, she’s experienced with all sorts of small pets, too! In addition, Tessa and her team are fully insured and background-checked; that extra layer of safety helps pet owners breathe easy.
But what stands out is their free meet-and-greet, which is perfect for making sure your pet feels comfortable and Tessa can get to know your animal’s quirks.
Because of this level of personal attention, we weren’t surprised when past clients raved about her skills! Furthermore, scheduling is flexible, whether you need a one-time drop-in or daily visits, and updates are always timely, so owners can stay in the loop.
The only real challenge is their small team—with Tessa as the primary sitter, slots fill up fast!
Punctual and communicates well
“Tony does a fantastic job with our cats. He comes twice a day, does meds and meals, and spends time with them. Our senior cat is on oral meds for diabetes, so meds are a must. Our cats love him and never shy away. They’re always happy to see him arrive. Tony’s punctual, communicates well, and is observant to changes in behavior and appetite. He helps us enjoy our time away. I definitely recommend.”
Joanne Armstrong, Google Review
Responsive team
“Tony has taken care of our dogs during long days at work or evenings out and always sends an update. Our little dog is terrified of everyone but he is very patient with her. Scheduling and communication through the central page are straightforward and responsive. Really helpful to have them in our neighbourhood!”
Zaynab Taei, Google Review
5. Loving Paws & House Sitting
Address: Serves the Ottawa and nearby areas
Phone: +1 613 266 2697
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Loving Paws & House Sitting ended up on our shortlist pretty quickly, especially after knowing people were honestly relieved to have them around. Since 2005, they’ve built up a squad of certified, background-checked, and fully insured pet sitters.
Whether it’s overnight cat care or daily dog walks or meds for senior dogs, the way they organize everything gives off the “total peace of mind” kind of energy.
Plus, the real-time photo updates are an absolute win, and their e-diary notes—those actually make it feel like someone’s looking after a family member. Another thing that stands out is their ready-key access.
It’s a secure way to let sitters in, so there’s no nervous key handoff moment in the driveway. Furthermore, with over 15 sitters covering Ottawa and the nearby spots, it’s easy to get a last-minute slot with them!
One little thing does keep popping up, though: invoice replies can drag out. A few clients had to send a follow-up before getting their receipts sorted.
Professional and caring sitter
“We have used Loving Paws’ cat sitting services twice now and are very pleased with the quality of care. When we needed to extend a trip unexpectedly, there was no problem with extending the visits as well. Danny is very professional and caring. We appreciate his attention to detail, including the text updates (with photos) and the written report. Thank you for taking such good care of our fur kid.”
Amber Apse, Google Review
Excellent communication with the sitter
“I’ve been using Loving Paws for years, and have only had great experiences! Both Sophie and Helen had previously looked after my cat at various times; anyone who knows me knows that I was obsessed with that cat, and I was always comfortable leaving her in their capable, professional and caring hands. When my cat passed away and we welcomed two new kittens, there was no doubt that we would call on Loving Paws again! Helen looked after them recently and took just as great care of them as we knew she would. The customer service is great, very clear and communicative. The booking process is simple, and the Ready Key program adds convenience. We always come home to happy cats and a clean home. I highly recommend Loving Paws!”
Gabrielle Heroux, Google Review
