Updated October 21, 2026
How people typically find pet care providers
Across Ireland people use a mix of personal recommendations, local Facebook or community groups, veterinary clinic noticeboards and online listings to find pet care. Word of mouth is common for repeat bookings; for one-off needs or holiday cover, online marketplaces and profile pages are used to check availability quickly.
When searching online, many people narrow results by service and location, then look at recent photos, a short list of services and customer feedback where available. If you need specialised care - for example for an elderly or medicated animal - people often contact several providers and compare replies before deciding.
- Ask friends and your vet for recommendations
- Search by service and town to shortlist nearby providers
- Look for recent photos and specific experience with your pet type
Key checks before you agree
Before you book, confirm background checks, insurance, and any experience relevant to your pet. For dog walking or house visits, check whether the person has public liability insurance and pet-specific cover for injury or loss. Ask for references and follow up on at least one.
Make sure the sitter will accept your petâs current vaccinations and parasite prevention plan. Clarify who will transport the animal if it needs emergency veterinary care and whether the sitter has a plan for veterinary access outside normal hours.
- Proof of insurance and at least one reference
- Details on emergency transport and nearest vet
- Agreement on vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, and medication handling
Questions to ask a sitter or walker
Use a short checklist when you speak or message a provider. Ask about their experience with your species or breed, how they handle walks with other dogs, whether they will use leashes and muzzles if needed, and how they manage feeding schedules and medication. For house sits, ask about sleeping arrangements, security and how they will manage keys.
Request a meet-and-greet before the booking where possible. This lets you see how the sitter interacts with your pet, and you can test simple commands or handling. If you cannot meet in person, ask for recent video or live video time to see them with another animal or to discuss routines.
- Experience with your petâs breed or condition
- Approach to walks, socialisation and separation anxiety
- Plans for daily updates, photos or messages during the booking
What is specific to Ireland
English is the main language for most providers, though Irish may be used in Gaeltacht areas; make sure any communication about care and emergency instructions is in a language you understand. Demand for pet care often rises around school holidays, bank holidays and summer months when people travel.
Veterinary professionals in Ireland are regulated and will be registered with the appropriate veterinary body; if you need veterinary treatment, confirm that proposed clinics are recognised and reachable from your address. For non-veterinary pet carers there is no single national licence that applies to all sitters and walkers, so local checks and insurance evidence are especially important.
- Expect English as the primary language; Irish may appear in some areas
- Higher demand around school holidays, bank holidays and summer
- Check vet accessibility and registration when medical care may be needed
How quotes and payments usually work
Providers typically quote based on the type and length of visit - for example per walk, per visit or per night for house sits - and will factor in travel distance and special care needs. Ask for a written quote that lists services included so you can compare offers accurately.
Payment methods vary. Many providers accept bank transfers, cards or cash. On Websta card payments from customers are paid out to the providerâs own bank account through Stripe and the provider sets their prices. Always agree payment timing and cancellation terms in advance, and ask for a receipt or booking confirmation.
- Get a written quote that lists what is included
- Agree payment method, timing and cancellation terms up front
- On Websta cards are processed through Stripe and paid to the providerâs bank account
Using a Websta profile to compare providers
A Websta profile combines the quick facts you need: services offered, typical prices where listed by the provider, photos, a contact form and online booking where available. The platform also operates a marketplace where people nearby can post a task and receive offers from providers, which can help you compare replies and turnaround times.
Some profiles in Estonia were built from the public business register and show a registered trade and town for a sole trader, carrying a notice that the person can claim or remove the page. On Websta you can use the profile to check the providerâs stated services and photos, send direct questions before booking, and see how responsive they are when you make contact.
- View services, photos and contact details on the profile
- Use the contact form or booking tools to test responsiveness
- Use marketplace posts to receive multiple offers for a specific task
Practical checklist before booking
Use this short checklist to avoid common problems. Confirm the sitter has insurance and references, check emergency transport and nearest vet, get a written quote, clarify payment and cancellation terms, and arrange a meet-and-greet. Leave clear instructions about routines, allergies and where essential items are kept.
Keep a copy of the sitterâs contact details and a signed note granting access to your property if required. For shorter bookings, agree how you want updates and how many photos or messages you expect. If anything in a profile or message does not match what you agreed, pause and discuss before handing over keys or an animal.
- Insurance and references checked
- Written quote and payment terms agreed
- Meet-and-greet or video call completed and emergency plan confirmed
Frequently asked questions
- How do I check if a pet sitter has insurance?
- Ask the sitter to email or show a copy of their public liability insurance and any pet-specific cover. Note the insurer name and policy number and follow up if you need verification.
- Should I leave a key with a sitter or give them access codes?
- Decide based on trust and the length of booking. If you leave a key, agree return arrangements and consider documenting the exchange. For code entry, change codes after the booking if that makes you comfortable.
- What if my pet needs medication during care?
- Explain dosing and routines clearly, label medications, and provide a written schedule. Ask if the sitter has experience administering pills or injections and confirm who will take the pet to a vet in an emergency.
- Can I get references from previous clients?
- Yes. Request contact details for at least one recent reference and follow up. Look for consistency between references and what the provider says about experience.
- How do I compare multiple quotes fairly?
- Compare written quotes that list included services, travel or extras, and cancellation terms. Consider experience, insurance and responsiveness alongside price when choosing.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.
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