Trusted pet care —
shared by the community.

Connect with nearby pet owners, exchange pet-sitting duties, and give your furry friends the care they deserve — all within a safe, supportive network.

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Paws Nearby: Community Pet Care Exchange

Paws Nearby connects local pet owners to share pet-sitting responsibilities based on mutual trust and love for animals. Instead of expensive services, build a neighborhood support network for your pets.

Affordable & Predictable

  • Flat annual fee – no hidden charges or per-sit costs
  • Say goodbye to expensive sitters and last-minute fees

Flexible & Convenient

  • Book help when you need it – from a walk to a holiday sit
  • In return, offer to help when it fits your schedule

Community-Powered Pet Care

  • Built on mutual trust and shared responsibility
  • Connect with local, like-minded pet owners

Pet-First Philosophy

  • Every pet gets personalized care by a sitter they have had a chance to meet prior to the sit
  • No crowded kennels, stressful environments, or unfamiliar humans

How it Works

Join the community

Create your profile and unlock unlimited pet-sitting exchanges with a $79+tax CAD annual membership.

Build Your Network

Connect with local pet owners, meet to ensure a good fit, and arrange your first pet-sitting exchange.

Exchange Care

Exchange pet sitting with your trusted buddy and leave reviews to grow the community.

Sign up today and enjoy unlimited pet-sitting exchanges with no per-sit costs

Yearly Subscription

$79.00 / year
Yearly Subscription features:
  • This plan includes 1 listing
  • Listings are visible for 364 days
  • Unlimited message exchanges
  • Unlimited pet-sitting exchanges
  • Unlimited pets per household
Sign Up

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paws Nearby?

Paws Nearby is a community-based platform that lets local pet owners connect with each other to exchange pet-sits. Instead of paying high fees for sitters, members help each other by taking turns caring for one another’s pet(s).

It’s simple! You create a profile, pay an annual membership fee of $79+tax CAD, and start connecting with other nearby pet owners. Once you’ve found a good match, you can arrange pet-sits as often as you like—no extra costs. It’s all about mutual care and trust.

Nope! The $79+tax CAD annual fee is the only payment you’ll make. There are no booking fees, commissions, or hidden charges. Once you’re a member, you can arrange as many exchanges as you want.

Any pet owner who is friendly, reliable, and loves animals! We welcome all kinds of pets — dogs, cats, birds, fish, bunnies, reptiles, and more — as long as they are non-aggressive and well cared for.

All kinds! As long as you’re comfortable and experienced, you can care for dogs, cats, fish, birds, rabbits, reptiles, and even farm animals.

That’s okay! We recommend meeting in person before the first exchange to see if it’s a good fit. There’s no pressure to commit — only move forward with people you feel comfortable with.

We offer a 14-day refund policy from the day you sign up, as long as you haven’t exchanged any messages yet. After that, the membership fee is non-refundable.

Paws Nearby does not currently provide insurance coverage. We recommend arranging pet insurance independently and discussing care expectations, emergency contacts, and any special needs instructions with your pet-sit buddy in advance.

In the rare case of an issue, we encourage open communication between both parties. You can also report concerns to our support team—we’re here to help and mediate if needed. Remember, trust and clarity upfront go a long way!

Absolutely! You can connect with as many pet owners as you’d like during your membership year. Many of our members enjoy building a small network of trusted pet-sit partners for added flexibility.

Safety starts with choosing the right match. Always meet your pet-sit buddy in person before the first exchange, ask questions, and trust your instincts. Be sure to provide clear care instructions, emergency contact details, vet info, and any special needs instructions your pet may have. We also recommend doing a trial run for short visits if it’s your pet’s first time away from home.

We understand that life happens. If a sitter needs to cancel, we encourage them to give as much notice as possible so you can make other arrangements. Because Paws Nearby is built on community and trust, reliable communication is key. If someone repeatedly cancels last-minute or doesn’t follow through, please report it so we can maintain a respectful and dependable member base.

Yes, absolutely! You’re welcome to include all your pets in one household on your profile and describe each of their needs. Just make sure your pet-sit buddy is comfortable caring for multiple animals. Alternatively, you can coordinate with more than one sitter—for example, one person could care for your dog while another looks after your horses—as long as you’re willing to return the favor for each of them when the time comes.

Sure! Just be sure to clearly explain your pet’s requirements on your profile and in conversations with potential sitters. Some members may feel comfortable administering medication or following a special care routine, while others may prefer lower-maintenance pets. The more transparent you are, the more likely you’ll find a great match.

Yes. All members are expected to treat one another – and each other’s pets – with kindness, respect, and honesty. We believe in open communication, clear expectations, and following through on commitments. Members who breach trust, behave inappropriately, or neglect agreed-upon care will be removed from the platform. To view Paws Nearby’s full code of conduct, please click here.

That’s a fair concern. To avoid that from happening, we’re starting small—only people within a 6km radius of downtown Toronto can join for now. The first 200 members get their first year free, so you won’t pay unless there’s actually a community around you. As more people join, we’ll slowly expand the area to keep things local and connected.

That’s something you and your pet-sit buddy decide together—based on what’s best for your pet. Some pets feel safest in their own space, while others are totally fine staying somewhere new. You’ll chat in advance and figure out the setup that keeps your pet happiest and most comfortable.