Andre TaylorLeaving your pets behind for work or vacation is never easy. You sit there wondering if they’re eating, playing, or just feeling lonely back home.
That’s where the best pet sitter in Indianapolis takes the weight off your shoulders. Handing over your keys is a big deal, so I dug into the local options to help you find someone you can trust.
Some folks just need midday dog walkers, while others want full overnight care for a senior cat on medication. Either way, the right sitter gives you real peace of mind. Here are my top picks to match your pet’s needs.
How much does a pet sitter cost in Indianapolis?
A pet sitter in Indianapolis costs about $14.49 an hour for in-home care, with overnight stays running $95 to $125 a night and most drop-in visits landing between $15 and $22.
| Service Type | Cost Range |
| Hourly Rate (In-Home) | $14.49 per hour |
| Standard Nightly Rate | $20.00 per night |
| Drop-in Visits (30 minutes) | $15.00 – $22.00 per visit |
| In-Home Overnight (12 hours) | $95.00 – $125.00 per night |
| Boarding (Sitter’s Home) | $40.04 per night |
| 30-Minute Dog Walk | $16.00 – $21.00 per walk |
| 60-Minute Dog Walk | $27.32 – $32.32 per walk |
| Cat Sitting | $20.00 – $30.00 per visit |
| Additional Pets Surcharge | $3.00 – $11.00 per visit |
| Holiday Surcharge | $5.00 – $10.00 per service |
1. Royal Paws
Website: royalpawspetsitting.com
Areas Served: Carmel, Broad Ripple, and northern and eastern Indianapolis
Contact: 317 426 7713 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Royal Paws stands out by pairing a handy mobile app with certified Fear Free sitters. That means you get real-time photo updates while your pet is handled with calm, low-stress methods.
They hire their caregivers as official employees, so everyone gets the same solid training.
When I needed daytime check-ins for my energetic golden retriever, I loved the instant app alerts and the photos of him happily playing. It really put my mind at ease during long work days.
On top of that, every staff member is certified in pet CPR and first aid, and the company is fully bonded and insured for extra protection.
The catch, though, is their tight service area. They only cover specific northern and eastern neighborhoods like Carmel and Broad Ripple, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you live outside those lines.
2. Comfort Zone Sitters
Website: comfortzonesitters.com
Address: 819 E 64th St #242
Contact: 317 414 9883 | [email protected]
Hours: Daily: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Comfort Zone Sitters stands out with specialized medical care and a handy pet taxi service. They’ll safely drive your pet to the vet or grooming appointments when your day gets too packed.
They even work directly with your vet to give medications or handle post-surgery care. Their caretakers go through thorough background checks and hold proper pet care certifications.
Plus, they’re set up for exotic pets and offer socialization routines for new puppies. They really try to cover every pet care need you might have.
One thing to know is that they’re strict about safety and behavior. They can turn down service if your pet has a history of biting, which sadly limits options for folks with reactive animals.
3. Northside Pet Services
Website: northsidepetservices.com
Areas Served: Indianapolis
Contact: 317 374 7756 | [email protected]
Northside Pet Services shines with a unique move-in care model and special help during real estate showings. They’ll stay in your home or watch your pets during open houses to keep them safe.
This means your pets are never left alone for more than a few hours during the day.
Their home-based boarding is also kept small on purpose, hosting just one or two dogs at a time to keep things calm.
They even pitch in with helpful home tasks like watering plants and grabbing your mail. Better yet, they can handle advanced medical support like insulin shots or hospice care.
The downside is the lack of a daily routine. They don’t offer regular daytime dog daycare because their schedules shift so much, so you’ll need another provider for weekday coverage.
4. The Pet Company
Website: thepetcompanyindy.com
Areas Served: Indianapolis
Contact: 317 228 1877 | [email protected]
The Pet Company sets itself apart with over thirty years of local experience and an employee-only team. Since they don’t use subcontractors, they keep up hands-on training for everyone on staff.
Their team takes ongoing classes to keep their pet care skills sharp.
A coworker of mine used their daily walking service for months and raved about how reliable the walkers were. They loved the set 30, 45, and 60-minute time blocks that matched their dog’s routine perfectly.
The company even has a nice loyalty deal where you get a free walk after buying twenty.
The trade-off is their narrow focus. They only do timed drop-in visits and scheduled dog walks, so there’s no overnight stay or boarding for pets that need round-the-clock eyes.
5. Needful Critters
Website: needfulcritters.com
Areas Served: Northwest Indianapolis
Contact: 317 441 3055 | [email protected]
Needful Critters offers serious peace of mind because it’s run by a former veterinary emergency professional. The caregiver travels with a dedicated animal emergency kit and knows how to handle tough medical situations.
You even get a free consultation upfront to go over medications and routines.
They’re also a great pick for big families, since they don’t charge extra for multiple pets during overnight stays.
They’ll handle basic household tasks like grabbing your mail during regular visits at no extra cost. It feels like a really personal, caring approach to pet sitting.
The main limits, though, are their hours and reach. You can’t book overnight care on major holidays. Also, they only serve northwest Indianapolis with mileage fees for longer trips.
