The Territory has the longest trips and the thinnest supply of alternatives in the country. Travelling south is a genuine journey, the wet season shapes when people go, and boarding options are limited outside Darwin. A sitter staying in the house means the pets stay home and the place is looked after through the build-up and the rain. Sitterly is free for homeowners and charges no commission.
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.
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.
Fitness Instructor
Hi! I'm Amy, a fitness instructor based in Fremantle, Perth. I've loved dogs my whole life and currently volunteer at a local rescue shelter. I take long morning beach walks every day , dogs always come along! I work flexible hours and spend most of the day outdoors. I have a large secure yard, hold a Dog Trainer certificate and am police checked. Your dog will be walked, loved and happily exhausted every single day. Non-smoker, super reliable, and I send loads of photos so you can fully relax on your trip.
Nothing changes hands for the care itself. Sitterly is an exchange: a sitter stays in your the Northern Territory 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 right across the Northern Territory, including Darwin, Palmerston, the rural area, Alice Springs and the smaller towns between them. Availability depends on which sitters have listed near you, so it is worth checking your own area rather than assuming from the state as a whole.
Practical guides on what in-home pet sitting involves, what to agree in advance, and what it costs in Australia.
