The 5 Best Pet Sitter Services in Ottawa That Treat Every Animal Like Family
I once asked my neighbor to check on my cat while I left the city for the weekend. Simple job, right? Feed her twice a day and make sure she doesn’t knock over a lamp out of spite.
What I didn’t know was that my furry gremlin had been putting on the performance of a lifetime. Every time someone in my neighbor’s family walked past, she acted like she hadn’t eaten in weeks.
She gained weight. I came back feeling betrayed by a twelve-pound actress.
That was the moment I realized good pet sitters are worth every dollar. The best ones don’t just show up with kibble and disappear.
They actually understand anxious dogs, clingy felines, senior companions, and the chaos that comes with leaving your spoiled little troublemaker behind.
After hearing countless recommendations from local pet owners and digging through Ottawa’s most trusted services, I put together this guide covering companies people can genuinely rely on when they can’t be there themselves.
How much does a pet sitter charge in Ottawa?
Pet sitters in Ottawa usually charge $20 to $35 for a 30-minute visit or dog walk, while overnight care often ranges from $75 to 120 per night.
Rates can vary based on the sitter’s background, the kind of service you need, and the number of animals you have.
1. Bone Voyage Inc.
Location: Not available
Website: http://www.bonevoyage.ca/
Contact: +16133233860
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 7 am – 7 pm
- Sunday: 7 am – 5 pm
Bone Voyage Inc. isn’t your typical boarding setup—it was built as a quieter, more personal alternative to busy kennels. Instead of one shared space, they match your pup with a nearby dog sitter who welcomes pets into their own home.
Each stay is based on personality, habits, and energy level, so everything feels natural and relaxed.
They don’t use cages either. Your furry companion gets proper care, regular strolls, and support for meds when needed.
The team also arranges a short meet-and-greet before confirming anything, just to see if everyone clicks.
As for pricing, it depends on the host and the length of stay, but overall, the rates are usually in the mid-range.
Just a heads-up, though—Bone Voyage’s quite strict with requirements. Dogs must be at least 4 months old, potty trained, fully vaccinated, and not aggressive to be accepted.
Our fur baby is treated like family while she’s there
“My husband and I love to travel and try our hardest but can’t always bring our fur baby with us. We have the most ultimate trust in Sylvie (Our pet sitter)! Sylvie is very accommodating and just a lovely person in general. Our fur baby is treated like family while she’s there. The website is user friendly and very detailed to make sure you get matched with the best family. Prompt responses and easy to pay the invoices. Honestly couldn’t say more about bone voyage!”
– RYSA Wherever, Google Review
We are extremely pleased when our dog returns home healthy and happy
“We have been using this fantastic service ” Bone Voyage” for more than 6 years. We have always been extremely pleased when our dog returns home healthy and happy. Christine, the owner, is extremely reliable. All host families exercise the dogs regularly and comply with all dietary requests. The families that host the dogs are carefully chosen by Christine. “Bone Voyage” even accepted our dog when she had a damaged tail which meant changing bandages and trips to the vet. We would never use any other service. Our dog is very unhappy when we return from vacation.”
– JoAnn Jenkins, Google Review
2. Petminders
Location: 1315 Avenue S
Website: https://petminders.ca/
Contact: +16132976002
Operating hours: Daily: 8 am – 9 pm
Petminders is a long-running pet care company that’s known for giving animals plenty of personal attention.
Before booking begins, the staff asks about the feeding schedule, medical needs, and little personality quirks so your companion feels more at ease.
A lot of owners I’ve spoken with really appreciate the updates after every session. You’ll usually receive photos, quick notes, or short recaps, which make it easier to relax while you’re away.
Their services include weekday strolls, feline check-ins, home visits, and overnight stays upon request. They can also help with medication, insulin shots, vet trips, and even groomer drop-offs.
While the care is thoughtful, some add-ons like transport and training can get pricey. There are fees for cancellations made at the last minute as well.
Lisa was very responsive and made the entire process so easy
“We had the pleasure of using Lisa’s pet sitting services for our cat while we were away, and she was absolutely amazing! Communication was a breeze—Lisa was very responsive and made the entire process so easy. She even came over for a meet-and-greet beforehand, which was great. During the time we were gone, she took wonderful care of our cat, feeding her, playing with her, and cleaning her litter. We loved getting regular updates and photos of our cat. Lisa really helped put our minds at ease, especially since it was the first time leaving her overnight. I highly recommend Lisa for anyone in need of a reliable, caring pet sitter!”
– Cindy Vinette, Google Review
I will definitely continue to use her services
“Lisa is amazing! She communicates well and is easy to get a hold of if needed. The photo and text updates left me reassured my fur babies were in good hands. I will definitely continue to use her services.”
– Program Coordinator (Catherine), Google Review
3. Meow Homez in Ottawa
Location: 169 Lees Ave
Website: http://meowhomez.ca/
Contact: +16139003934
Operating hours: Daily: 9 am – 9 pm
Meow Homez focuses only on cats, which makes the environment much quieter and less overwhelming for nervous felines.
Their services cover daytime supervision, overnight accommodation, and interactive play sessions to keep cats entertained while owners are away.
And for anyone needing care on short notice, they also offer same-day reservations when slots are available.
Another thing worth mentioning is the pricing. Daycare rates begin at $25 per day, so it’s a more budget-friendly option compared to some luxury boarding spots.
However, because the business runs from a single apartment, availability can sometimes be limited during busy periods.
It’s clear they truly care about animals, not just the job
“I had a wonderful experience with MeowHomez.
I was out of town for 3 days and was quite worried about leaving my kitty behind, but they took such loving and responsible care that I felt completely at ease. They kept me updated regularly with pictures & videos which made sure that my cat is at ease and eating properly. It’s clear they truly care about animals, not just the job. I’m very grateful for their help and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for trustworthy and caring pet support.”
– Rudraksha Chawla, Google Review
They were very communicative and cared a lot about my cats’ well-being
“Really nice couple who took good care of my kitties while I was away on vacation. They were very communicative and cared a lot about my cats wellbeing. Reasonably priced and clean home. Thank you again!”
– Kelly Ntale, Google Review
4. Nellie’s Neighbourhood Pet Sitting
Location: Not available
Website: http://www.nelliesneighbourhood.com/
Contact: +16138840391
Operating hours: Not available
Nellie’s Neigbourhood was founded in 2021 by Tessa, who has spent more than 15 years working with animals in rescues, foster homes, and kennels.
Her journey began with app-based bookings in 2019, and as demand grew, she eventually decided to build her own company with a team of insured and background-checked caregivers.
They’re especially great with timid cats, reactive pups, and small pets needing gentle attention. On top of that, the crews here are trained to give prescriptions and handle special health needs, which adds peace of mind for owners.
I also like that they offer a free meet-and-greet before confirming a reservation. You can chat about habits, schedules, and concerns without feeling rushed.
That said, their services come at a higher rate compared to casual sitters or traditional boarding facilities. Overnight stays, in particular, can get expensive at $120 per night.
Tony does a fantastic job with our cats
“Tony does a fantastic job with our cats. He comes twice a day, does meds and meals, and spends time with them. Our senior cat is on oral meds for diabetes, so meds are a must. Our cats love him and never shy away. They’re always happy to see him arrive. Tony’s punctual, communicates well, and is observant to changes in behavior and appetite. He helps us enjoy our time away. I definitely recommend.”
– Joanne Armstrong, Google Review
She treated our cat like her own and updated us after every visit
“First time using a cat sitter and I was worried, but that feeling went away after the meet-and-greet with Jenny. She treated our cat like her own and updated us after every visit. I’ll definitely use this service again in the future!”
– V, Google Review
5. Loving Paws & House Sitting
Location: Not available
Website: https://www.lovingpaws.ca/
Contact: +16132662697
Operating hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am – 5 pm
Loving Paws & House Sitting is a long-running pet care company that has been serving Ottawa since 2005.
The team offers home visits, dog walking, and overnight stays, all handled by certified, insured, and bonded caregivers.
One thing I really love here is that they provide real-time photo updates, e-diary notes, and secure key access, so you can easily keep track of your companion while you’re away.
And for animals recovering from medical procedures or sickness, assistance is also available under veterinary supervision. They even offer virtual vet consultations to give extra comfort indoors.
Price-wise, many clients appreciate their fair mid-range rates considering the level of attention included.
The only downside I noticed is that peak periods, particularly holidays and long weekends, get reserved quickly, so planning ahead is definitely a smart idea.
We’re very pleased with the quality of care
“We have used Loving Paws’ cat sitting services twice now and are very pleased with the quality of care. When we needed to extend a trip unexpectedly, there was no problem with extending the visits as well. Danny is very professional and caring. We appreciate his attention to detail, including the text updates (with photos) and the written report. Thank you for taking such good care of our fur kid.”
– Amber Apse, Google Review
We had reassuring communication from her daily while away
“We had a wonderful experience with Loving Paws and Kim who came over twice a day. Kim came over initially to meet us and our cat. He went right up to her and checked her out. She has an easy going manner that instills calm. We showed her where to find his things – food, bowls, treats and litter and his favourite hiding places. She took notes on his daily routine and how to use his dental powder. We had reassuring communication from her daily while away. This is a wonderful service and we will be sure to use Loving Paws and Kim again!”
– Stacey Duret, Google Review