Find Trusted Pet Sitters in Croydon

What the law covers

England's 2018 animal activities licensing rules treat looking after a pet in its own home, whether through drop-in visits or overnight stays, differently from boarding. DEFRA's guidance says a dog sitter caring for a dog at the dog's normal home does not need a home boarding licence. Someone who boards dogs commercially in their own home does need a home boarding licence from Croydon Council. Commercial cat boarding also needs a council licence, but it is licensed as a separate cat boarding activity, not as dog home boarding.

It is reasonable to ask a sitter about a basic DBS check, public liability insurance and cover for lost client keys. None of these replaces a licence where one is needed, and they are not legal requirements for every sitter working in an owner's home. If key cover matters to you, ask to see the policy rather than assuming it is included.

Travel and holiday demand

Croydon has good links to both main London airports. East Croydon has direct trains to Gatwick, and TfL's SL7 bus runs from West Croydon to Heathrow Central. By road, Gatwick is reached from the A23 and M23 at junction 9, with the M25 beyond, and Heathrow has direct access from the M25.

Demand for sitters is highest during school half-terms and the summer and Christmas holidays, so book early for those periods.

Home access and security

The town centre has a number of tall residential buildings, and not all of them have a concierge. If a sitter is visiting a flat, agree how they will get into the building before you leave. In council-managed blocks, extra keys or fobs for communal doors have to be ordered by the tenant or leaseholder, or with their permission.

Sitters who drive to visits in a controlled parking zone should check the bays and hours beforehand. Residents can arrange visitor day permits through Croydon Council. The annual visitor permit for the central zone only works in the evenings and on Sundays.

If you use a key safe, agree where it is and how the code will be passed on securely. Police advice is that key safes fixed in plain view next to a front door are more likely to be targeted.

Cats and other pets

Cats Protection's 2025 survey estimated that 28% of households in Greater London have a cat. This is a figure for London as a whole, not for Croydon. For cats left at home, Cats Protection recommends a sitter visits at least twice a day. Kittens, older cats and cats that are unwell may need more frequent visits, and for some cats an overnight stay is worth discussing.

Sitters may also look after rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and other small pets. Each has different needs for feeding, ventilation and temperature.

Seasonal considerations

Croydon Council lists Bonfire Night, Diwali, New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year as periods when fireworks are allowed later than usual. If your pet is frightened by noise, agree a plan with the sitter before these dates. The borough has held large Halloween and Bonfire Night displays in past years.

In hot weather, a sitter visiting an upper-floor flat that gets a lot of sun should check the pet has fresh water, air and shade, and should not assume the flat is cool enough.