Out-of-Home Care: Private Home Boarding in the Illawarra

A loving, cage-free, home-away-from-home for your pet. Instead of a kennel, your pet stays with a vetted Illawarra carer, enjoying a safe, comfortable, and social family environment.

What Does “Out of Home Care” Include?

When you’re away, give your dog the comfort, love, and attention of a real family home. Our Out-of-Home Care service is the perfect kennel alternative, matching your best friend with a trusted, local carer for a stress-free stay full of cuddles, playtime, and companionship.

A Better Alternative to Kennels

Choosing where your pet stays while you’re away is a big decision. While traditional kennels can be a solution for some, the noisy, isolating, and often stressful environment isn’t right for every pet. Our service offers a completely different experience.

  • Instead of a concrete run… your pet gets a warm bed and a comfy couch.

  • Instead of the stress of dozens of other pets… they get one-on-one attention as part of a family.
  • Instead of a rigid, institutional schedule… they enjoy a flexible routine that mirrors life at home.

We provide a genuine home-away-from-home where your pet’s happiness and well-being are the top priority.

What Your Pet’s ‘Holiday’ Looks Like

We strive to make your pet’s stay with us as comfortable and fun as possible. A typical day with one of our Illawarra carers includes:

  • Morning: A gentle wake-up, time in a secure garden, and their regular breakfast (you provide their usual food to avoid tummy upsets).

  • Daytime: A daily walk around the local neighbourhood (if applicable), plenty of playtime, naps in a cosy spot, and lots of human interaction and affection.
  • Evening: Their normal dinner, followed by relaxing and cuddling on the couch with the carer’s family.
  • Daily Updates: You will receive a photo or video update every day, so you can see for yourself how much fun they’re having and enjoy your trip with complete peace of mind.

Our Hand-Picked Illawarra Carers

The heart of our service is our incredible team of local carers. We don’t just accept anyone; every carer is carefully selected to ensure they meet our high standards of safety and compassion.

  • Personally Vetted: Every carer is personally interviewed by Sue and is a known, trusted member of our community.

  • Home-Checked for Safety: We conduct a thorough inspection of each carer’s home and garden to ensure it is 100% safe, clean, and pet-friendly.
  • True Dog Lovers: Our carers are experienced pet owners and genuine animal lovers who will treat your pet like a member of their own family.
  • The Perfect Match: We carefully match your pets’s size, energy level, and personality with the perfect carer to ensure a happy and harmonious stay for everyone.

Rates & Inclusions

Pet re-homing services

Overnight Stay (Premium)

Per 24 hours

Starts from $65.00

Second Pet (from the same family)

Discounted rates are available, please inquire.

Public Holidays

A surcharge applies for stays on public holidays

15% /day/pet

Please Note: Final pricing depends on the size, needs, and temperament of your dog. A successful meet-and-greet with the carer is required before confirming any booking.

Your Booking Includes:

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A loving, safe, and vetted carer's home.

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One-on-one attention and companionship.

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Daily walks and playtime.

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Daily photo and video updates for you.

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Complete peace of mind, backed by our professional insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I pack for my dog’s stay? Please pack your dog’s regular food for the duration of the stay, their favourite bed or blanket, a favourite toy, their lead/harness, and any required medication with clear instructions.

My dog has special dietary needs/requires medication. Can you accommodate this? Absolutely. This is a key benefit of our personalised service. We will discuss all dietary and medical needs with you beforehand and ensure our carer follows your instructions precisely.

How does the meet-and-greet work? The meet-and-greet is a casual, no-obligation meeting at the carer’s home. It allows you, your dog, and the carer to get acquainted to ensure everyone is happy and comfortable before a stay is finalised.

Ready to Book Your Pet’s Holiday?

The first step is a friendly chat. Get in touch with us today to discuss your dates and find the perfect carer for your best friend.

What Our Clients Say

“Our social Spoodle, Rosie, had the most amazing time! It was like a little holiday for her. We got pictures of her playing in the backyard with the carer’s dog, and she was clearly having a ball. It’s so much better than leaving her alone. We’ve already re-booked for our next trip.”

Rodney D., Nowra

“The meet-and-greet process made all the difference for our shy rescue, Cobber. He felt comfortable with his carer right away. The daily photo updates were fantastic and allowed us to relax on our holiday knowing he was in such a loving home environment. We came back to a happy, confident dog. Thank you, Sue!”

Amelia T., Barrack Hts

“The professionalism is second to none. From the initial inquiry to finding the perfect carer, everything was handled perfectly. Our cat came back happy and tired from all the fun. It’s such a relief to have a trusted, insured, and genuinely caring local service like this in the Illawarra.”

Rhonda M., North Wollongong

The Professional Care Your Pet Deserves

Don’t settle for just anyone when it comes to your pet’s care. Unlike a hobbyist sitter, we are a local, registered business that is fully insured for your protection. Our carers are vetted, their homes are inspected for safety, and we are accountable for providing the highest standard of care. Choose the reliability that only a professional service can guarantee.