Finding the best pet sitter in Coffs Harbour can feel overwhelming. You’re handing someone the keys to your home, trusting them with your dog or cat, and hoping they’ll care for them with the same love and attention you do. For many families, especially those with anxious dogs, elderly pets or busy schedules, this choice can feel overwhelming. And honestly, it should. The person you hire plays a big role in your pet’s wellbeing and your own peace of mind.
Over the years, we’ve met countless pet parents who weren’t sure where to start. Some had bad experiences, some felt nervous about leaving their pet with someone new and others didn’t even know what “professional” pet care actually looks like. So, we put together a guide to help you choose a sitter who is experienced, trustworthy and genuinely committed to your pet’s safety and happiness.
Professionalism You Can See
A reliable sitter runs their business with clarity, not guesswork. One of the strongest signs you’re dealing with a true professional is whether they have a proper Service Agreement. This isn’t just paperwork. It protects you, your home and your pet. It explains how services work, what you can expect from your sitter and how responsibilities are shared.
A solid Service Agreement should take the “what ifs” out of your mind long before your sitter ever arrives. You should know how emergencies are handled, how your sitter enters and secures your home and how your pet will be cared for each day.
At Furry Tail Pet Care, our Service Agreement is designed to give you complete peace of mind. It covers everything from payments and cancellations to veterinary authorisation, safety expectations, your pet’s vaccination requirements, and how we handle your home. It reflects how seriously we take our work and how committed we are to ethical, safe and transparent care.
Because pet sitting isn’t regulated in Australia, this level of structure is one of the most evident signs that you’re hiring a professional service, not a casual hobby sitter.
Why Global Standards Matter
Most people don’t realise how unregulated the pet sitting industry is in Australia. There’s no official licence, no required training and no mandatory insurance. That means the quality of care varies widely, and it’s not always easy for families to know who they can trust.
This is why the Global Standards created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) are so valuable. They outline what responsible, ethical pet care should look like across every part of a business. These standards cover things like business legitimacy, proper contracts, insurance, risk management, animal care and welfare, health and sanitation, emergency planning, client safety and privacy, professional conduct, communication and even community responsibility.
At Furry Tail Pet Care, we’re proud to be active PSI members and to follow these global standards because they reflect the level of care we believe every pet deserves. They guide our policies, how we train our team and the way we support families. You may not see these standards listed everywhere on our website, but they shape the way we operate every single day.
When a sitter works in alignment with recognised global best practices, you can feel the difference. The care is calmer, safer and more consistent, and the whole experience feels more professional from start to finish.
Quality Pet Care Requires More Than a Text Message
Most people don’t picture “software” when they imagine pet sitting, but the truth is, it’s one of the most important parts. When you’re trusting someone with your home and your pets, you deserve to know exactly what’s happening during every visit. You deserve to know when your sitter arrived, when they left, where your dog was walked and how the visit went. You also deserve a simple way to book services, update notes, pay invoices and message your sitter without any confusion. That’s where proper pet care software makes all the difference.
When you join Furry Tail Pet Care, we set you up with Time To Pet, our dedicated pet care app. It keeps everything organised in one place. After downloading the app to your phone, you can complete your pet’s profile, list their routines, add medication notes and share anything else we need to know to care for them like you would. You can also request services, update instructions, pay securely and chat with our team at any time.
But the part our clients love most is the report card. After every walk or visit, you’ll receive a detailed update that shows the check-in and check-out times, a written summary of the visit, multiple photos and a GPS map of your dog’s walk. It’s clear, honest and transparent — exactly the way pet care should be.
You should never be left wondering whether your dog was walked, whether medication was given or whether your sitter actually came. With proper software, you don’t have to guess. You simply know.
Insurance That Protects Everyone
Insurance is one of the most overlooked but essential parts of choosing a sitter. A professional sitter always carries liability insurance because they know things can happen, even with the most careful care.
What if another dog approaches unexpectedly and they get into a fight? What if your pet becomes injured or ill? What if a fragile item in your home gets knocked over? What if there’s an emergency and your sitter needs to act quickly?
Without proper insurance, the responsibility falls on you. With a professional, it doesn’t.
When you hire the best pet sitter in Coffs Harbour, you’re also choosing someone who has thought ahead and taken the steps to protect your home, your pet and themselves.
Experience That Makes a Real Difference
There’s a big difference between “growing up with pets” and being a trained, experienced pet care professional. Experience means recognising subtle body language, managing reactivity, supporting anxious dogs, handling medications, following safety protocols and staying calm in emergencies.
It also means knowing what to do when things don’t go perfectly. A professional sitter has handled reactivity during walks, stomach upsets on a Sunday morning, medication refusals, locked doors, unexpected storms, and real emergencies. They’ve experienced things that can’t be learned from a YouTube video or a quick Google search.
At FTPC, our team is trained in animal behaviour, enrichment, senior pet care, emergency procedures and pet first aid. These are the things that truly make a difference when something unexpected happens.
Reviews That Actually Mean Something
It’s easy for any business to look polished online. What really matters is how people feel after trusting someone with their pets. That’s where reviews tell the real story. They show you how a sitter communicates, how reliable they are, how pets behave after visits, and whether the owner genuinely felt supported while they were away.
Look for reviews that feel personal, the ones that mention peace of mind, great communication, thoughtful care, beautiful photos and a dog who comes home settled instead of stressed. That’s the sign of a sitter who truly takes their role seriously.
We’re proud to have more than 100 five-star reviews across our Facebook page and our two Google Business locations. If you’d like to see what other pet parents say about us, you can read them all here on our reviews page.
Why the New Client Consultation Is So Important
A proper new client consultation (our version of a Meet & Greet) should never feel rushed. It’s your chance to see how your sitter interacts with your pet, how they communicate with you and how confidently they understand your dog’s needs.
We use this time to ask thoughtful questions, take notes and get a clear picture of your pet’s routine—from feeding and exercise to quirks, triggers and comfort cues.
It’s not just an introduction. It’s the moment trust begins, and it sets the tone for the quality of care your pet will receive.
Services That Truly Fit Your Pets
Every pet is unique. The best pet sitter in Coffs Harbour knows how to tailor their services based on your pet’s personality, health and lifestyle. Some dogs need fast-paced exercise. Others need slow enrichment. Some pets need medication, while others need simply a gentle presence and reassurance.
A professional sitter listens first, then shapes their care around your pet. At Furry Tail Pet Care, our services are flexible and designed to support the needs of each individual dog or cat, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best pet sitter in Coffs Harbour shouldn’t feel overwhelming. When you focus on professionalism, experience, transparency and shared values, the right sitter becomes clear. Your pet deserves someone who takes their wellbeing seriously, and you deserve to leave home knowing they’re in safe, loving hands.
If you’re in Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga or nearby areas and want to know more about our professional dog walking and pet sitting services, you can explore everything we offer here. We’d love to support your pet with the calm, reliable care they deserve.
