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Pet sitting

Pet sitting terms

Version 2026-11-02. You accept these when you post a pet sit or offer to pet sit. Plain English, but please read them.

  1. We only introduce people. Pet Rescue NZ is a noticeboard that lets pet owners and people offering to pet sit find each other and message. We are not a pet sitting service. We are not a party to any arrangement you make, and sitters are not our employees, contractors or agents.
  2. We don’t check sitters or owners. We don’t vet, interview, police-check, insure or endorse anyone. Reviews and badges (such as being on our foster register) are not a recommendation. It’s up to you to decide whether someone is right for you: meet first, ask questions, check references, and trust your judgement.
  3. The arrangement is between you. Dates, duties, keys, access to your home, payment (if any), cancellations and anything else are agreed directly between the owner and the sitter. We recommend agreeing the details in writing in Messages.
  4. Owners stay responsible for their pets. The owner supplies food, medication, equipment and clear instructions, leaves vet and emergency contact details, and remains responsible for the pet’s care costs, vet bills and legal obligations, including dog registration and control under the Dog Control Act 1996 and the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Check your own home and pet insurance before someone looks after your pet or stays in your home.
  5. Sitters are responsible for their own actions. Only offer what you can safely do. Follow the owner’s instructions, call the owner’s vet in an emergency, and tell the owner straight away if anything goes wrong.
  6. No payments through Pet Rescue NZ. We don’t take or hold money and charge no fees. Never pay or ask for a deposit, transport cost or any money before meeting in person. Report anything suspicious.
  7. Our liability. To the fullest extent the law allows, Pet Rescue NZ (and the business that runs it) is not liable for any loss, damage, injury, illness or death of any person or animal, theft, damage to property, costs, or disputes arising from a pet sit or from contact between members, whether or not the arrangement was made through this site. Nothing in these terms limits rights you have that can’t be excluded by law. If you use the site in trade, you agree the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 does not apply.
  8. You cover us for your part. You agree to cover Pet Rescue NZ for any claim made against it because of your pet sit, your conduct, or your breach of these terms.
  9. Who can take part. You must be 18 or over and give honest information. We may remove posts or profiles, or close accounts, at any time and for any reason, including safety concerns.
  10. Disputes. Disagreements about a sit are between the owner and the sitter. We may look at reports of scams or unsafe behaviour, but we don’t decide disputes or pay compensation.
  11. Changes. We may update these terms. The version you accepted, and when, is recorded with your post or profile. These terms are governed by New Zealand law. Our general site terms also apply.

Questions? Email support@petrescue.org.nz.