Live-In Pet Sitting in London — In-Home Dog & Cat Care | Happy at Home Pet Care
Professional live-in dog & cat sitting — we move in so your pets keep their routine, cuddles, and calm at home.
Founder-led by Marcus Watts, fully insured and DBS-checked with 20+ years' pet care experience. Overnight live-in care. No kennels. No stress.
Live-In Care: The Best Choice for Your Pets
At Happy at Home Pet Care, we provide fully insured, professional, live-in pet sitting so your dogs and cats remain calm in their familiar environment — no kennels, no stress, just happy pets in their own space.
We specialise in sits of two nights or longer and regularly care for pets with special needs, including medication administration and anxiety-aware routines. Because we work remotely on site, your pets enjoy a genuinely consistent presence.
Founded and operated by Marcus Watts, Happy at Home brings veterinary-adjacent experience alongside years of trusted sits across London and abroad — from lively Labradors in Seville to farm animals and horses on expeditions in Argentina.
We treat your home with the utmost respect — security-conscious, tidy, and thoughtful. Plants watered, post collected, updates sent. Calm pets, a cared-for home, and peace of mind while you’re away.
Hi, I’m Marcus
Trust & Peace of Mind
Inviting someone into your home and into your pet's life is a big decision. We take that responsibility seriously.
We're fully insured, work to agreed routines, respect your home as if it were our own, and keep you updated so you can relax.
- Daily photo and message updates included as standard.
- Responsive and reachable throughout your stay.
- Your pet's routine, safety rules, and boundaries are followed exactly as agreed - no improvising, no shortcuts.
- No parties or social gatherings
- No use of personal belongings
- Home left clean and as found
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"
Request your live-in quote
Pick your dates, see the estimated total (with tiered long-stay discounts), and send your enquiry to confirm availability. Use the availability calendar below to check availability for your dates.
Base nightly rate
50% off 4+ nights£25.00
£50.00
Discounted for 4+ nights (50% off). Nights run midday to midday. £2.00/hour + early start fees apply outside those times.
Walks per day
50% off+£2.50
£5.00
Per walk, per day.
Number of pets
50% off+£5.00
£10.00
Base rate includes your first pet. This add-on is per extra pet, per night.
Supervision
50% off£0.00
No extra charge if pets can be left for 3+ hours. Constant supervision adds a nightly supplement.
Estimated total for this stay
~£100.00
Rough estimate only. Longer bookings often receive reduced nightly rates.
Enquiry text
Send directly by email or copy to paste into email/WhatsApp. Adjust details as needed.
Preferred channel
Email requires an email address; WhatsApp requires a phone number. Address is required for both.
Availability calendar
Availability
Green dates show when we're available for new bookings
No matching dates for this stay?
Save our details here so that you can contact us easily for future sits.
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, we are verified with real reviews directly from our clients on Rover.com and DBS checked. You can request certificates before confirming a booking.
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 2+ nights and start from around £25 per night, with discounted rates for longer stays.
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?
With 7+ days’ notice (from 00:00 on the day of the sit), there are no cancellation fees. Inside 7 days, the full amount is due.
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.