Pawshake
Sitters by name, photos by the day — reviewers who switched from kennels say they won't go back.
The platform's real differentiator seems to be its vetting and support layer: when a sitter attempted a sharp last-minute fee increase in one documented case, Pawshake suspended the profile and helped the owner find a replacement before their flight, which is the kind of platform behaviour that's hard to verify until you need it. Two reviewers flagged confusing in-app price calculations where quoted totals didn't match what sitters confirmed, so it's worth clarifying the final fee directly with your sitter before confirming any booking. Recent reviews across the sample have averaged slightly lower than earlier ones, though the overall picture remains strongly positive — worth keeping in mind if you're leaning heavily on the aggregate rating alone.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (24 total)
“loved getting all the photos and updates of him”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 11 pet sitting & house sittings in Brisbane
Credentials & background
Sourced from 4 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Pawshake
Pawshake operates as a marketplace platform connecting pet owners with vetted home-based sitters across Australia, rather than a single kennelling facility — a distinction that matters when you're weighing up alternatives to traditional boarding. The service model means pets stay in a sitter's home or their own home, maintaining normal routines, diets, and sleeping arrangements, which several reviewers specifically flagged as the reason anxious, elderly, or rescue dogs coped so much better than they did in kennels. Sitters mentioned by name include Di (praised for her attentive family environment with a dachshund), Lisa (noted for her flexibility and making a small dog feel immediately at home), Cheryl (chosen specifically for a rescue dog's first-ever stay outside a shelter), Amelia (highlighted for regular photo updates and walk check-ins on the Gold Coast), and Danielle (praised for straightforward communication and care). The platform includes booking, payment, and messaging tools in one app, with report cards and photo updates built into the workflow — so owners aren't left waiting for news. Pawshake's support team is also noted in reviews for intervening decisively when a sitter attempted a last-minute fee increase of $480, suspending the profile and helping the owner find a replacement before travel, which speaks to how disputes are actually handled rather than just promised to be.
Best for: pet owners switching away from kennels with anxious or elderly animals, first-time pet owners nervous about leaving their dog or cat, owners needing a local home-based sitter at short notice, and rescue pet owners who need sitters experienced with settling unsettled animals.
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Pawshake
How does Pawshake differ from a traditional kennel or boarding facility?+
Pawshake matches pet owners with individual home-based sitters rather than placing animals in a central facility. Multiple reviewers specifically switched to Pawshake because their dogs, including rescue animals and elderly pets, became distressed in kennels but settled easily in a sitter's home environment. Pets maintain their normal diet, routine, and sleeping arrangements, which reviewers credit for the calmer outcomes. One reviewer noted their 17-year-old cat couldn't safely change food or routine, making the home-sitter model a practical necessity rather than just a preference.
What kind of updates can I expect while my pet is with a sitter?+
Most sitters on the platform send regular photo updates and written check-ins throughout the booking, and Pawshake includes built-in report cards as part of the app workflow. Reviewers mention receiving photos during walks, mealtimes, and rest, which several described as significantly reducing their anxiety as first-time users. The frequency and format of updates varies by sitter, so it's worth confirming your expectations at the meet-and-greet. The app's messaging system keeps all communication in one place rather than scattering it across personal texts and email.
What happens if there's a problem with my sitter after booking?+
Pawshake has a support team that handles booking disputes, and one detailed review documents a case where a sitter attempted to raise their confirmed fee by $480 shortly before the owner's departure. Pawshake helped the owner find a replacement sitter at short notice, then suspended the original sitter's profile and conducted an investigation. The reviewer noted the sitter's profile remained unavailable after the process concluded. That said, this reflects one documented incident — reviews don't give a full picture of how all disputes are resolved, so it's worth reading Pawshake's terms and support policies before your first booking.
Are the prices shown in the app reliable?+
Two reviewers flagged issues where the app displayed booking totals that didn't match what the sitter confirmed — in one case the app showed $448 for a booking the sitter confirmed was $120. This appears to be a display or calculation bug rather than sitters overcharging, but it's enough of a pattern to warrant caution. Always confirm the final agreed fee directly with your sitter in the app chat before completing your booking. Reviews don't indicate this has resulted in actual overcharges, but the discrepancy caused confusion and stress for at least two users.
How quickly can I find a sitter through Pawshake?+
Several reviewers mention finding and meeting a sitter within hours of their initial enquiry — one noted a meet-and-greet within an hour, and another found a sitter eight minutes from home who replied within two hours. The platform covers sitters across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and broader Australia, which gives owners in major metro areas a decent pool to choose from. Availability naturally tightens around school holidays and Christmas, and one reviewer noted some sitters cancelled before they found a reliable match, so building in lead time for peak periods is advisable.