Geelong runs on quick getaways. The Ring Road puts Melbourne about an hour away, Avalon Airport sits just up the highway, and plenty of families head down the Great Ocean Road or interstate for a week at a time. Sitterly connects Geelong pet owners with sitters who stay in the house, so the dog still gets its Barwon River walk and the cat keeps its own windowsill. Listing is free and you message sitters yourself.
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.
Art Curator
Hi, I'm Nic, an art curator based in Fitzroy North. My partner and I have a 4-year-old Cavoodle of our own, so we're very confident with dogs of any temperament, and we love cats too. We host a lot at home, walk through Edinburgh Gardens daily and have a real soft spot for senior animals. Reliable, warm, and great with shy pets.
Nursing Student
Hi, I'm Mellow, a nursing student at Vic Uni in Footscray. I've grown up around cats and a beautiful tropical fish tank that my dad has had for decades, so I'm very confident with both. I'm calm, very studious and around the home most evenings. The Footscray markets and Maribyrnong River walks are my favourite local spots.
Primary School Teacher
Hi, I'm Janette, a primary school teacher based in Geelong. I'm patient, organised, and very used to caring for living things, whether they're 6-year-olds or your beloved 14-year-old labrador. Geelong's waterfront and the Bellarine Peninsula are my happy places, and I love the slower pace school holidays bring for pet sitting. Reliable, gentle and easy to communicate with.
Nothing changes hands for the care itself. Sitterly is an exchange: a sitter stays in your Geelong 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 Geelong and the wider Victoria region, including Newtown, Highton, Belmont, Geelong West and surrounding suburbs. Availability depends on which sitters have listed near you, so it is worth checking your own suburb.
