Pet Sitting in Toronto: what to know
A sitter at home keeps your pet in its routine through winter trips; agree how deliveries, heating and snow will be handled.
Homes, buildings and access
Condo buildings often have pet limits and rules about elevators, and some ask dogs to be carried in common areas. Tell your provider about fob access, concierge and visitor parking.
Weather and seasons in Toronto
In winter, shorten walks on the coldest days, use a coat and booties for small or short-coated dogs and wipe salt off paws.
In humid summer weather, walk early or late and use the lakefront and shaded parks to keep dogs cool.
Before you book
Agree on feeding, medication, keys and house rules in the chat before the first visit, and leave your vet's details with the sitter.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Pet Sitting in Toronto — FAQ
Is pet sitting available in Toronto?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Toronto. Because it's a marketplace, the pet sitters you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet sitting cost in Toronto?
Pet sitters in Toronto set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
Do I need a licence for my dog in Toronto?
Yes. The City of Toronto requires dogs and cats to be licensed. Providers may ask about vaccinations before the first booking, so keep the records handy.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
