The short answer

PetCloud is an independent, founder-led Australian company. It was started more than 10 years ago by Pet Owner Deb, who still runs it today.

PetCloud is privately held. It is not owned by a private equity firm or a large corporate group.

Who is behind PetCloud

PetCloud is run by a small team led by its founder. Deb started PetCloud to make pet care safer for pets, and to create flexible work for people who love animals.

Like most Australian startups, PetCloud has a small group of shareholders who backed the business along the way. Day to day, it is led by the person who built it, and decisions are made by people who know the platform, the sitters and the pets.

Today more than 100,000 pet owners and 55,000 registered sitters use PetCloud across 121+ locations nationally.

Where the fees go

PetCloud charges fees, and we would rather be upfront about that. Fees are how an independent business pays its way. It costs real money to run a quality platform, and PetCloud is not a cashed-up corporation with deep pockets behind it.

Fees pay for:

• Paid Advertising that brings new pet owners to the platform and to sitters' listings
  
• Search Optimisation that gets the website and apps found
• Secure payments, with the Pet Owner's payment only released after their 24-hour quality check window at the end of each booking
• The website and app, including daily photo updates and messaging
• Customer support for owners and sitters when something needs sorting out
• The safety framework, including PetCloud's Pet Professional Training Course and PetCloud's Property Safety Checklist

Why repeat customers matter so much

Repeat customers are the lifeblood of every business. That is true for the local cafe, the vet clinic, a sitter's own pet care business, and PetCloud.

• For sitters on PetCloud: an owner who rebooks is worth far more than a one-off stay. Regulars keep the calendar full, and PetCloud pays for the reminders, emails and ads that bring those owners back.
• For pet owners: a sitter who already knows your pet's routine, quirks and favourite spots means a calmer pet and less to explain each time.
• For PetCloud: it costs money to introduce a new owner to a sitter, and more again to engage, remind and retarget that owner so they return. Those costs are only recovered when owners rebook through the platform.

When repeat bookings stay on PetCloud, the fees fund the advertising that brings the next owner to a sitter's listing. When bookings move off the platform, the owner and sitter lose secure payment, verified reviews and support, and the funding that brings sitters new customers dries up.

How you can back an independent Australian business

If PetCloud has worked well for you, these three things make the biggest difference.

Pet owners

1. Rebook your sitter through PetCloud each time.
2. Leave a review after every booking. Reviews only come from confirmed bookings, so yours carries real weight.
3. Tell a friend, neighbour or your local dog park group.

Sitters on PetCloud

1. Keep every booking with your regulars on the platform.
2. Ask happy owners to leave a review at the end of each booking.
3. Share your PetCloud listing link on your own social pages and in local community groups.

Quick answers

Is PetCloud Australian? Yes. PetCloud is an Australian company that has operated for more than 10 years.

Is PetCloud majority owned by private equity or a big corporation? PetCloud is privately held and founder-led.

Does PetCloud employ the sitters? No. Sitters on PetCloud are independent. They run their own pet care businesses and set their own rates.

Who do I contact with a question about PetCloud? Our support team is happy to help. Submit a request through this help centre.