Dog Walking & Pet Sitting in Singapore: A First-Timer's Guide

Moved to Singapore with a dog or cat in tow, or finally gave in and adopted one from a local shelter? At some point — maybe you've got a work trip, a packed week, or a dog that clearly needs more exercise than your condo corridor can offer — you'll start wondering if you need a dog walker or pet sitter. If you've never used this kind of service before, here's everything you need to know, from what actually happens on the day to how much it'll set you back in SGD.

What Does a Dog Walker or Pet Sitter Actually Do?

These are two different services, though many providers in Singapore offer both.

• Dog walking — someone comes to your home, collects your dog, and takes them for a walk (usually 30–60 minutes) around your neighbourhood, a nearby park, or a dog run. Some walkers do group walks with 2–4 dogs; others offer solo walks only.
• Pet sitting — someone looks after your pet, either at your home (drop-in visits or overnight stays) or at their own place, usually while you're travelling or working long hours. This covers dogs, cats, rabbits, and sometimes even fish or hamsters.

In a dense city like Singapore, where most people live in HDB flats or condos without a backyard, this service exists for practical reasons: many expat professionals work long hours or travel frequently for work, and dogs — especially high-energy breeds — need more outdoor time than a quick toilet break on the void deck can provide.

How the Process Actually Works, Step by Step

1. Finding a provider

You can go through a pet care agency, an independent walker (often found via Instagram or community Telegram groups), or a directory like KakiList where providers are already vetted. First-timers are usually safer starting with a platform that shows reviews and verifies credentials, since literally anyone can call themselves a dog walker here — there's no licensing requirement in Singapore, unlike for things like pet boarding under AVS (Animal & Veterinary Service) regulations.

2. The meet-and-greet

A good provider will always ask for an initial meet-up before the first paid session — usually free or a small token fee of $10–$20. This is where they meet your dog or cat, check temperament, ask about medical conditions, feeding schedules, and leash behaviour. If a walker skips this step entirely, that's a red flag.

3. Booking and scheduling

Most providers use simple booking apps or WhatsApp to confirm time slots. You'll typically give them a spare key or gate code if it's drop-in pet sitting, or just be home to hand over the leash for walks.

4. The actual walk or visit

Expect photo or video updates mid-walk — this is now pretty standard in Singapore and a good sign of professionalism. For pet sitting, expect updates on feeding, bathroom habits, and general mood, usually via WhatsApp with a few photos thrown in.

5. Payment

Usually via PayNow (Singapore's instant bank transfer system) after each session, or packages paid upfront for a block of 10 or 20 sessions at a discount.

What to Expect on the Day

• The walker arrives within a 10–15 minute window of the agreed time — Singapore traffic and parking (especially in condos with visitor restrictions) can cause minor delays.
• They'll confirm your dog's name, any quirks (