Cairns sits a long way from anywhere else, which changes how people plan a trip. Flights out of Cairns Airport often leave before dawn or head overseas overnight, and driving a dog four hours down the coast to a kennel is nobody's idea of a good start. A sitter staying in your home keeps pets in the air-conditioning and out of the wet season weather. Owners list for free and message sitters directly.
House and pet sitting on Sitterly is a two-way exchange. The sitter stays in the owner's home and cares for the pets — feeding, walks, company and the normal routine. In return, the owner provides the stay. No money changes hands for the care itself, which keeps the focus on the right match rather than the lowest price. Pets stay in the place they know, with their own bed, backyard and smells, instead of a kennel.
Sitterly's role is the connection: listings, profiles, direct messaging and optional verification badges. The agreement itself is between owner and sitter, which is why the steps below matter.
Most problems in house sitting come from unspoken assumptions, not bad intent. The fix is the same on both sides: talk first, agree in writing, and plan for the unexpected.
Nothing changes hands for the care itself. Sitterly is an exchange: a sitter stays in your Cairns home and looks after your pets, and in return they have a place to stay. Listing your home is free and there are no booking fees or commissions during our growth phase. Owners still cover their own pet costs such as food and vet care.
Post a listing describing your pets, their routine, your home and your dates, then browse sitter profiles and applications. You message applicants directly, talk or meet before anything is confirmed, and choose who you are comfortable handing your keys to.
It depends on the animal. In-home sitting keeps pets in their own house with their normal routine, beds and yard, which suits pets that find boarding stressful or that have medication and feeding routines. Boarding can be the better option for pets that need constant supervision or that cannot be left alone for the times you are away.
Sitterly is open across Cairns and the wider Queensland region, including Edge Hill, Whitfield, Freshwater, Redlynch and surrounding suburbs. Availability depends on which sitters have listed near you, so it is worth checking your own suburb.
