Newcastle packs a lot into a small footprint. Terraces in Cooks Hill and Hamilton with courtyard sized yards, wider blocks out through New Lambton and Wallsend, and the harbour and the ocean baths a short drive from most of it. On Sitterly, owners here post what their pets need and a sitter stays at the house while they are away, so nothing gets crated up and driven across town.
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.
No sitters have listed in Newcastle yet, so these are sitters elsewhere in New South Wales. Message anyone whose availability and travel suits your dates.
Carpenter
Hi, I'm Jeff, a carpenter based in Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast. I work on outdoor builds most weeks, so I'm in and out of houses all day and very comfortable in someone else's space. I grew up on a property with working dogs and a couple of blue-tongue lizards, so I'm at home with a wide range of pets. The Solitary Islands beaches are my morning routine.
Personal Trainer
Hi, I'm Garbo, a personal trainer based in Surry Hills and a regular City2Surf runner. Active dogs are my absolute joy, the kind that need a real walk and a real run, not just a stroll around the block. I work flexible hours and have plenty of time for long pet outings around Centennial Park or down to Bondi. Reliable, fit and a clean house guest.
Retired Teacher
Hi, we're a retired couple based in Eden on the NSW Sapphire Coast. I'm a retired teacher of 35 years and my partner is a recreational fisherman who knows every wharf between Tathra and Mallacoota. We love big slow walks, animals of every kind, and a quiet life by the water. We're available for longer sits up and down the south coast.
University Student (IT)
Hi, I'm Dean, an IT student at UTS based in Strathfield. I love travel, I love animals, and I'm always looking for a quiet sit where I can study from home and keep your pets company. Cats and small fish are my speciality. I'm easy-going, a clean houseguest, and I take photos and updates seriously so you always know your pets are doing well.
Graphic Designer
Hi, I'm a Melbourne-based graphic designer living in Brunswick. I work from home most days, which means your pets get an attentive house guest who's around. I grew up with cats and have always shared my home with them. Sydney Road is on my doorstep for coffee runs, and I love an evening stroll through Princes Park. Calm, creative and very tidy.
Registered Nurse
Hi, I'm Courtney, a registered nurse working in Western Sydney hospitals. My partner and I love hosting family at home and we have a beautiful Pug named Gizmo who comes everywhere with us. I work shift work, so I have plenty of daytime hours for long walks around Blacktown Showground and Nurragingy Reserve. Reliable, organised and gentle with anxious pets.
Licensed Plumber
G'day, I'm Bryan from Penrith. I've got a teenage son and the two of us have been raising rescue dogs for as long as he can remember. We do a lot of trail walks around the Nepean River and the Blue Mountains. I'm a licensed plumber, very practical around the home, and you can trust me to keep your place ticking over while you're away.
Veterinary Nurse
Hi, I'm Amy, a vet nurse working in inner-Sydney clinics for the past 9 years. I've handled pretty much every species you can think of, from anxious rescue dogs to elderly diabetic cats and the occasional pet rabbit. I live near King Street in Newtown and love a long pet walk through Camperdown Park. Pets are my whole world and your home will be in safe, careful hands.
Nothing changes hands for the care itself. Sitterly is an exchange: a sitter stays in your Newcastle 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 Newcastle and the wider New South Wales region, including Merewether, Hamilton, Cooks Hill, New Lambton and surrounding suburbs. Availability depends on which sitters have listed near you, so it is worth checking your own suburb.
