Pet Sitting Exchange:
Pet Owners Helping
Pet Owners
Find nearby Toronto pet owners on the map, message, meet, and swap pet sitting.
No per-sit fees, ever.
🛡️All members ID-verified
Satisfaction guaranteed: We're confident you'll arrange a pet-sitting swap in your first year. If not, you'll get 100% of your money back.
How It Works
Join the Community
You’re a pet owner? Great!
Register today and join a trusted network of people just like you.
(Free for the first 30 members)
Build Your Network
Chat with nearby members, find the right people for you, and meet in person.
Exchange Care
Swap pet sitting as often as you like with as many members as you like.
No fees. Ever.
Real Members. Real Voices.
“Honestly, Paws Nearby is such a refreshing idea. As a dog owner, it can be stressful trying to find someone you genuinely trust with your pet… and this completely changes that. I love that it’s built around connecting with other dog owners in your own community, because it just feels more natural and reassuring than traditional pet-sitting options. Even beyond the practical side, there’s something really nice about knowing the person looking after your dog actually understands what it means to care for one. That shared love for dogs makes a huge difference. It feels less transactional and more like a supportive little network of people helping each other out. It’s one of those concepts that makes you think, “why didn’t this exist sooner?” …simple, thoughtful, and genuinely helpful for pet parents.”
– Mahima & Kai
How Is Paws Nearby Different From Traditional Pet Sitting Sites?
Paws Nearby is a pet care exchange for local pet parents. Every member both gives and receives care. There are no professional sitters and no clients — just neighbours helping neighbours
Built For Pet Owners — Only
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• No paid sitters
• No clients
• Just pet parents exchanging care
Real Connections — Always
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• Connect with real local neighbours
• Meet in person before your first exchange
• Every member is ID verified
No Per-Sit Fees — Ever
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• One annual membership = unlimited pet-sitting exchanges
• No booking fees
• No hidden costs
One Membership — Per Home
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• Covers every pet in your household
• No per-pet pricing
• Clear, straightforward membership
Meet The Founder
Hi neighbour!
I’m Anja Bischof, Toronto local, founder of Paws Nearby and a social work graduate.
I created Paws Nearby because I travel occasionally and wanted a reliable,
community-based pet care solution I could truly trust.
That background shaped the platform’s focus on safety and neighbour-to-neighbour support — with integrity at its core.
When I’m not working on Paws Nearby, you’ll usually find me exploring Toronto
neighbourhoods, parks, and coffee shops.
Real Members. Real Voices.
“Exactly what I have been waiting for! I’ve had dogs for 25 years, as companions and as a foster home, this is the tool you need in your life. How amazing to connect with someone who has a similar lifestyle and values towards pet care to leave your precious pet with. Having that person available to support you on your pet ownership journey is amazing! I LOVE the added security detail, it reassures me that the person I am connecting with is who they say they are. This service will change your life like it did mine, give it a try!”
Sign Up Today And Enjoy Unlimited Pet-Sitting Exchanges With No Per-Sit Costs
Yearly Subscription
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paws Nearby?
Paws Nearby connects local pet owners who help one another with pet-sitting duties.
Instead of paying expensive sitter fees, neighbours take turns caring for each other’s pets,
making pet care affordable, reliable, and rooted in trust and community.
How is Paws Nearby different from other pet-sitting platforms?
Unlike other apps that charge per booking, Paws Nearby works on a simple annual membership model.
Pay just $79 + tax per year and enjoy unlimited pet-sitting exchanges.
Absolutely no hourly fees, no commissions, and no strangers sitting for money.
Just a trusted community of local pet owners helping one another.
How does it work?
It’s simple!
Create your profile, complete a quick ID verification, and pay your annual membership fee.
Once you’re in, you can find sitter matches by browsing nearby pet owners on the map, applying filters to find someone who matches your needs — or both!
From there, connect with as many verified members as you like and enjoy unlimited pet-sits
How much does it cost to join?
Membership is just $79 + tax per year, giving you full access to our community of verified pet owners.
That’s less than the cost of a single weekend with a traditional sitter — and you can enjoy unlimited pet-sitting exchanges all year long!
Why is the membership so affordable? What's the catch?
There is no catch.
At Paws Nearby, we believe that just because we could charge more, doesn’t mean we should.
Life is expensive — reliable pet care shouldn’t be.
What’s included in the membership?
Your membership covers:
Unlimited pet-sitting exchanges with verified members
ID verification for safety
Secure messaging and scheduling
The ability to meet fellow pet owners before agreeing to a sit
Multiple pets per household at no extra charge
Who can join?
Any friendly, reliable pet owner within 30 km of the CN Tower can join.
We’re launching in Toronto first, so for now membership is limited to Toronto residents with a valid Canadian ID.
If you’re unsure, simply enter your postal code on the registration page — the system will let you know if you’re not eligible yet.
You can also view the map for a quick overview.
What types of pets can join?
All kinds of pets are welcome on Paws Nearby, as long as they’re non-aggressive and well cared for by their owner.
Our community includes dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, reptiles, fish, etc.
Do I have to care for the same kind of pet I have?
No — as long as you’re experienced and comfortable with your pet-sit buddy’s pet!
For example, a dog owner can care for another dog, or even a cat, if they’ve had experience with cats before.
The key is that you feel confident and capable of providing safe, loving care.
How does Paws Nearby keep pets and owners safe?
Every member completes an identity verification before joining, so you can feel confident knowing you’re connecting with real, verified neighbours.
We also encourage members to meet in person before arranging a sit — it’s a wonderful way to get to know each other, build trust, and make sure it’s a good fit for everyone (pets included!).
And most importantly, always trust your gut. Only move forward with a pet-sit exchange if you feel comfortable with that person and their pet.
Will my address be published?
No — your exact address will never be published.
Your profile will simply appear within the general area of your postal code, so nearby members can see roughly where you’re located without revealing your specific address.
What government documents are accepted for identity verification?
You can verify your identity using Canadian government-issued IDs, such as:
Passport
ID card
Driver’s licence
Permanent resident card
Can I connect with more than one pet-sit exchange buddy?
Absolutely!
Your membership includes unlimited pet-sit exchanges with other verified members in your area.
The more connections you make, the easier it is to find the perfect match whenever you need a helping hand.
Will my pet(s) be looked after at my home or my pet-sit exchange buddy's?
That’s entirely up to you and your buddy to decide together!
Every pet is different — some feel most at ease staying in their own familiar space, while others enjoy a little change of scenery and extra cuddles at their buddy’s home.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind?
Absolutely!
If you change your mind, you can request a full refund within 2 weeks of joining, as long as you haven’t exchanged any messages with other members yet.
To cancel your membership, simply send us an email at hello@pawsnearby.com and we’ll be happy to help.
What if I have more than one pet?
The more, the merrier!
Your annual membership covers all pets in your household — whether you have one or five, the fee remains $79 + tax.
You can either find a sitter who’s happy to look after all your pets at once, or arrange different sitters for different pets.
Just remember that if you have several sitters, you’ll be caring for each of their pets as part of the exchange — it’s all about a fair exchange.
Can I join Paws Nearby if my pet has special needs?
Of course! Just make sure to be open and honest about your pet’s special needs on your profile, and discuss them with your potential sit-exchange buddy.
Some members are comfortable administering medication or following a specific care routine, while others may prefer lower-maintenance pets.
Being transparent helps ensure your pet gets the right care and makes it easier to find the perfect match within the Paws Nearby community.