Hand-Picked Live-In Pet Sitters Across London | Happy at Home Pets
Founded by experienced pet sitter and pet parent Marcus Watts. We set a high bar for fully insured live-in care and choose every sitter personally. We make thoughtful matches, support every booking and treat your home with respect. No kennels. No stress. Your pets stay 
Exceptional Care, From a Hand-Picked Team
At Happy at Home Pets, we provide fully insured, professional live-in pet sitting so your dogs and cats can remain relaxed in their familiar environment. No kennels, no disruption, just happy pets in their own home.
We specialise in sits of three nights or longer and regularly care for pets with additional needs, including administering medication and supporting anxious pets with familiar routines and companionship. Because our sitters work remotely or have flexible schedules, pets benefit from plenty of company throughout the day.
Founded by Marcus Watts, Happy at Home Pets brings years of trusted pet sitting experience across London and abroad, from lively Labradors in Seville to farm animals and horses while travelling through Argentina.
Hi, I’m Marcus
Marcus founded Happy at Home Pets from first-hand experience as both a working sitter and a pet parent. Today, he sits alongside a carefully selected London team and remains accountable for the standard behind every match.
Unlike open marketplaces built around self-created profiles, we are deliberately selective about who joins the team. Not just anyone can join our team. Every sitter is interviewed, personally selected, insured and background checked. We match each enquiry thoughtfully, arrange a free meet and greet for a new pairing, and stay available to support both pet parent and sitter throughout the booking.
Trust & Peace of Mind
Inviting someone into your home and trusting them with your pets is a big decision.
We're fully insured, stick to agreed routines, and treat your home with respect. We keep in touch while you're away so you're never left wondering how things are going.
- Daily photo and message updates included as standard
- Responsive and reachable throughout your trip
- Your pet's routine, house rules and boundaries followed exactly as agreed
- No parties or social gatherings
- No use of personal belongings
- Plants watered and post collected to keep the house ticking over while you're away
- Home left clean and tidy
A respectful house guest, always.
No Stress for Your Pet
We keep your pets in their own home with familiar routines, toys and comfort zones.
Fully insured, so you are protected and never left in a difficult position.
Clean & Trustworthy
Background-checked and committed to maintaining your home's cleanliness and security.
Home Security Included
Your home stays occupied and cared for. We water plants, collect mail and keep a lived-in appearance.
24/7 Companionship
Round-the-clock care means your pets are never alone and always have someone to comfort them.
Great with Anxious/Rescue Dogs
Specialised, patient care for pets with anxiety or extra needs — gentle routines and consistent presence.
Why did you start this business?
We loved pet sitting—just not the gaps in trust we kept seeing.
We wanted to keep doing sits, but better than the competitors. On big platforms like Rover, anyone can spin up a profile. That sounds convenient, but it’s not always trustworthy. There are plenty of stories of bad sits, and even cases where a pet went missing and the platform’s insurance didn’t pay out.
This business is built on trust, repeat clients, and clear cover. In the unlikely event insurance is ever needed (it hasn’t been yet), here’s how our dedicated policy compares to the platform protections:
Quick cover comparison
Platform protections only apply to bookings made on that platform and are subject to their terms. Our insurance is a dedicated policy in our name, so it’s the clearest protection—especially for direct bookings.
Note: This is a plain-English summary. Exact coverage depends on policy wording and each platform’s eligibility rules.
What Pet Parents Say
Don't just take our word for it—here's what happy pet owners have to say about their experience.
Caitlin C.
Oct 20, 2025
"Marcus was so kind and patient with both Zoe & me. :) He came out of his way to do a meet & greet and talk with us first, which is so important when someone's staying in your home. He was patient and listened with intention as I gave him lots of instructions for my old girl. It was clear Zoe was really comfortable and happy with him when we met but also when I got home. She's old and had some accidents and he handled them with kindness and calmness and let me know what was going on the whole time. He also left my apartment clean, stripped the sheets, etc which was so nice. Would definitely work with him again!"
Nina R.
Oct 02, 2025
"Marcus was from the start professional and caring. We had never used a dog/house sitter before Marcus and after meeting him he gave us great assurance. We were away abroad for a week and received daily communication with photos - In his communication he showed his understanding of our 13 year old Lurcher who is not always straightforward- he easily adapted to her routine or lack of!!! We returned to a very calm happy Elsa and the house was absolutely immaculate!! I thoroughly recommend Marcus; in fact I have already booked him for another week the end of this month. It's such a relief to know Elsa will be well looked after especially as she's an elderly dog that needs someone like Marcus - mature and capable."
Katie H.
Oct 23, 2025
"Perfect first sitter experience! Marcus was a brilliant sitter for my Minnie Moo. His communication was brilliant, keeping me updated and sending me pictures! He also left the flat nice and tidy. Will defo hire again."
Karolina O.
Sep 23, 2025
"Marcus stayed with our dog for about a week in London and did an amazing job. Our dog has a big of separation anxiety which Marcus managed really well. He was really attentive and kept in touch. I think the apartment looks better than when we left it :)"
Shyra S.
Jun 20, 2025
"Marcus provided excellent care for our dog during our time away. He was punctual, reliable, and handled all responsibilities with care & professionalism. Gracielo was well looked after and returned home calm and content. We were pleased with the overall service and would be happy to use his services again in the future."
Alexander B.
Sep 23, 2025
"Another great sit from Marcus. Respectful, tidy and the dogs love having him around"
Helen G.
Sep 09, 2025
"This was a repeat booking for Marcus as he does a great job of looking after our dog Maisie who has separation anxiety. Great communication and a calming nature with Maisie"
Alexander B.
Jun 29, 2025
"Marcus was great with our two pups and looked after our home well. Would 100% recommend"
Helen G.
Jun 20, 2025
"This was our first time using Rover. Marcus was polite and respectful to us and our home and more importantly calm and caring to our nervy Maisie. Our evening was much more relaxed knowing Maisie was being cared for"
Alexander B.
May 18, 2025
"Excellent and considerate sitter. Will definitely use again"
Frequently Asked Pet Parents Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about live-in pet sitting in London.
Where do you offer live-in pet sitting?
We serve London zones 1–4 with frequent bookings in Hackney, Dalston, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Stoke Newington, Clapham, Battersea, Islington, Kensington and Fulham.
What makes live-in care better than kennels?
Your pets keep their routine, stay in their own safe space, and avoid stress from travel or unfamiliar smells. It also keeps your home occupied and secure.
What do I need to do to prepare for my pet-sitter's stay?
You'll need to provide food, water, and any medication your pet needs. We also ask that you provide a place for your pet sitter to sleep with Wifi strong enough to facilitate remote working during the stay. Instructions for your pet's routine are also helpful.
Are you verified and background checked?
Yes. Our sitters are interviewed, personally selected, insured and background checked. You can request certificates before confirming a booking, and our published reviews link back to their verified source.
How do you choose and match your sitters?
We do not operate an open directory where anyone can list themselves or compete for bookings. We select sitters carefully, then match each enquiry around the pet's needs, location, dates and the sitter's experience. A free meet and greet is required for a new sitter and pet-parent pairing so both sides can decide whether it feels right.
Do you handle medication or anxious pets?
Yes. We have veterinary-adjacent experience and regularly support anxious rescues and seniors, including medication schedules.
What's the minimum stay and pricing?
Most bookings are between 7-14 nights and start from around £31 per night, with discounted rates for longer stays. Walk pricing applies to walks under 40 minutes; anything longer is priced under enriched care.
Are toilet breaks counted as walks?
Garden toilet breaks don’t count as walks. However, if your dog needs to be taken out of the home on a lead to go to the toilet, that trip counts towards their daily walks/outings, however short. This helps us understand how many separate trips outside your sitter will need to plan into each day.
How do we book or check availability?
Use Availability calendar or contact us directly on email or WhatsApp. We respond quickly and can arrange a meet-and-greet if you prefer.
Can I talk to my pet-sitter before to go over instructions and expectations?
Yes, we offer a free 30-minute meet-and-greet before the stay (time permitting) to go over instructions and expectations. Video calls are available if preferred.
Are there cancellation fees?
Notice is counted from 00:00 on the first day of the sit. Cancel within 14 days and the full amount is due. Cancel within 31 days and half the booking total is due. Outside 31 days, cancellation is completely free.
What happens if my pet-sitter is sick or has an emergency?
We have a backup plan in place and will work with you to find a replacement. We also have a 24/7 emergency contact number in case of any urgent issues.
Pet Sitting Across London
We cover zones 1–4, living in and caring for pets in their own homes. Find your neighbourhood for local walking spots, FAQs and what a sit looks like near you.
East London
- Pet sitting in Tower Hamlets
- Pet sitting in Shoreditch
- Pet sitting in Hackney
- Pet sitting in Dalston
- Pet sitting in Victoria Park
- Pet sitting in Hackney Wick
- Pet sitting in Bethnal Green
- Pet sitting in Stoke Newington
- Pet sitting in Bow
- Pet sitting in Mile End
- Pet sitting in Whitechapel
- Pet sitting in Stratford
- Pet sitting in Leyton
- Pet sitting in Walthamstow
North & Central London
- Pet sitting in Islington
- Pet sitting in Angel
- Pet sitting in Clerkenwell
- Pet sitting in King's Cross
- Pet sitting in Marylebone
- Pet sitting in Soho
- Pet sitting in Westminster
- Pet sitting in Pimlico
- Pet sitting in Waterloo
- Pet sitting in Hampstead
- Pet sitting in Primrose Hill
- Pet sitting in Belgravia
- Pet sitting in Mayfair
- Pet sitting in St John's Wood
- Pet sitting in Highgate
Not listed? We regularly cover neighbouring areas too — send us your postcode with an enquiry and we'll confirm.