Which one suits you
Pet boarding, if
- you'd rather nobody stayed in your home
- you need care for a night or two, or at short notice
- you want a set price you can book today
HouseSit, if
- you're away for a week or more and would rather not pay for care
- your pets are happier in their own home and routine
- you'd like your home lived in while you're away
What your trip would cost
Pick your trip and your pets, and type your kennel's price.
Your trip
Pets
Pet boarding
€420for the trip
€30 a night × 14 nights × 1 pet
HouseSit
Free
A sitter stays in your home and looks after your pets in return.
€30 a night is typical for one dog, not a quote: the UK average was £29 in 2025, kennels in Germany start at about €25, and the US average is about $45. Some kennels charge less for a second pet.
Sources: UK average, Jan 2025 · Germany, Apr 2025 · US average, 2026
Side by side
- Cost
- Free
- About €30 a night for one dog, often more for each pet
- Where your pets stay
- At home
- At the kennel
- Who looks after them
- One sitter, living in your home
- The kennel's staff
- Their day
- Their own bed, walks and routine
- The kennel's routine
- Your home
- Lived in while you're away, plants watered
- Empty while you're away
- Booking
- Sitters apply, you choose, and you agree on the details together
- Book a place for your dates
Typical prices, not a quote: each kennel sets its own. Ask yours for your dates.
What pet boarding does better
Worth knowing before you choose.
Nobody in your home
Some people would rather not have anyone stay while they're away. With boarding, nobody does.
Any dates, at short notice
A kennel with a free place can take your pet for a night or two. On HouseSit, sitters travel to you, so post early.
People who do it every day
Your pet is looked after by staff whose job it is, to a set routine.
So why try HouseSit?
Boarding costs every night, and often for every pet. Here a sitter stays for free, your pets stay home, and you can still use a kennel for a night or two.
What’s different on HouseSit
Your pets stay home
Their own bed, their walks, their routine. The sitter fits around them.
Free for the whole trip
No price per night and no fee. The sitter stays for free and looks after your pets in return.
You choose who comes
Sitters apply to your listing. Read their profiles and reviews, have a video call, and say yes to one.
How it works, in four steps
- 1
List your home free
Add your pets, your home and your dates. No card needed.
- 2
Sitters apply
Sitters who'd like to come send you a message. Read their profiles and reviews.
- 3
Talk, then choose
Have a video call and ask what matters to you. Then say yes to one sitter.
- 4
Hand over, and travel
Put the details in writing with our free house sit agreement, and leave your pets at home with someone you chose.
Other ways to have your pets looked after
A kennel isn't the only other choice. Here is how the others work, with our page on each.
- HouseSit vs RoverPaid sitters near you: £30 to £40 a night on average in the UK, plus an 11% booking fee, its site says.
- HouseSit vs PawshakeSitters set their own price per night, and owners pay a service fee on top. Vet cover comes with every booking.
- HouseSit vs TrustedHousesittersHouse sitting with a yearly plan: $129 to $399 a year in the US, plus $12 a sit on two plans.
Questions people ask
Is HouseSit really free for pet owners?
Yes. Listing your home, reading applications, messaging and choosing a sitter cost nothing. The sitter stays for free and looks after your pets in return. We charge only for optional extras, like a €29 ID check for members who want the badge.
How much does boarding cost?
About €30 a night for one dog, and often more for each pet. The UK average was £29 a night in 2025, kennels in Germany start at about €25, and the US average is about $45. Each kennel sets its own price, so ask yours for your dates. On HouseSit, a sitter stays in your home for free.
What if my pet needs medicine?
Say so in your listing, and ask each sitter on the video call whether they've given medicine before. Leave written notes and your vet's details.
Can I use both?
Yes. Use a kennel for a night or two, and a house sitter when you're away longer.
How far ahead should I post?
As soon as your dates are set. Sitters travel to you, so they plan ahead too, and a last-minute sit is harder to fill.
Is HouseSit safe?
Members can verify their ID with Stripe, and hosts and sitters review each other after every sit. Before you agree, have a video call, and if they aren't verified, ask to see their ID. Put the details in writing with our free house sit agreement, and read our safety tips. HouseSit doesn't guarantee a sit, and doesn't run background checks yet, so the final check is yours.
