Wagly vs Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree: Where Should You Find Pet Care?
When you need someone to walk your dog, look after your pets while you're away or drop in and feed them, where do you start looking?
For many people, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or a local Facebook group may be the first place they look. You put up a post or scroll through the listings, and before long, you may have someone offering to help.
But how much do you actually know about the person behind the profile?
Finding someone to care for your pet is different from finding someone to mow your lawn or buying something second-hand. You are trusting them with a member of your family and, in some cases, giving them access to your home.
This is where using a dedicated pet care marketplace such as Wagly can make a difference.
Wagly vs Marketplace: What's the Difference?
Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are general marketplaces. You can buy furniture, sell unwanted items and find people offering hundreds of different services.
They aren't designed specifically for pet care.
Wagly is.
Wagly is an Australian-owned pet marketplace designed around pets, pet owners and pet professionals.
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of unrelated listings, you can search for the pet service you need and find Pet Professionals in your area.
Depending on the service you're looking for, this can include pet sitting, dog walking, doggy day care, home boarding and more specialised services such as wedding dog chaperones, breeder support and dog show handlers.
You can see the information that actually matters when deciding who you want caring for your pet.
Why Does Australian-Owned Matter?
Another difference worth considering is who owns the platform you're using.
Wagly is Australian-owned and run. It was created as an Australian alternative for pet owners and Pet Professionals, with the business and its decisions remaining here in Australia.
This has become particularly relevant within the Australian pet care industry.
Mad Paws started as an Australian business and became one of the country's best-known pet care marketplaces. In November 2025, it was acquired by Rover, a US-based pet care company.
Mad Paws continues to operate under its own brand in Australia, but its ownership is now overseas.
Why does that matter?
For some pet owners, supporting an Australian-owned business is important. It means supporting a platform built around the Australian pet industry and Australian pet owners and professionals.
Wagly was built with this local approach in mind.
Rather than being the Australian arm of an international pet care company, Wagly remains Australian-owned and run, with its focus on Australian pets, pet owners and Pet Professionals.
When you choose where to find your next pet sitter, dog walker or other Pet Professional, you're not only choosing who may care for your pet.
You're also choosing the type of pet care platform you want to support.
What Does Wagly Verified Mean?
Anyone can write an advertisement saying they love animals or have years of experience.
But would that be enough for you to hand them your house keys and say, "See you in a week"?
Probably not.
Wagly Pet Professionals complete a verification process before taking their first booking. This includes an identity check and a National Police Check, with applications also reviewed by the Wagly team.
Verification doesn't mean you should stop asking questions.
You still need to find someone who suits you and, more importantly, suits your pet.
It does, however, give you more information about the person you're considering before you place your pet in their care.
Compare Before You Book
Every pet is different.
Your dog might happily walk away with anyone holding a lead and a treat.
Another dog might be anxious around strangers, reactive around other dogs or require medication.
Your cat might take one look at a new person and disappear under the bed for the next three hours.
This is why finding the right person is more important than simply finding someone who is available.
With Wagly, you can search your area and view Pet Professionals, including information about the services they offer, their prices, availability and reviews.
You can also message a Pet Professional before committing to a booking.
Take advantage of this.
Tell them about your pet. Ask about their experience. Explain any behavioural concerns, medication, feeding routines or special requirements.
If something doesn't feel right, keep looking.
The cheapest or closest person isn't necessarily going to be the right person for your pet.
Reviews Can Help You Decide
How often have you asked another pet owner:
"Who looks after your dog when you go away?"
"Do you know a good pet sitter?"
"Would you use them again?"
Recommendations matter because we want to hear from someone who has actually used the service.
Reviews can give you similar information when you're searching online.
Rather than relying only on what someone says about themselves, you can read about the experiences other pet owners have had.
Don't just look at the star rating.
Read what people actually say.
Was the Pet Professional reliable?
Did they communicate?
Did the owner feel comfortable leaving their pet with them?
Would they book them again?
These small details can tell you much more than simply looking at the advertised price.
Keep Your Payment Secure
One of the things you should always think about when finding someone online is how you're going to pay them.
If you find someone through Facebook, Gumtree or another general marketplace, they may ask you to transfer money directly to them.
That doesn't automatically mean there's anything wrong.
However, you should always be cautious when someone you don't know asks you to quickly transfer a deposit or full payment before you've had the chance to check who they are.
For bookings made with Wagly Verified Premium Pet Professionals, payments are processed securely through Stripe and go directly to the Pet Professional's connected Stripe account.
Wagly doesn't store your payment details.
Knowing how your payment is being handled gives you another piece of information when deciding how and where to book your pet care.
Follow Your Dog's Walk
Have you ever wondered where your dog actually goes when they're out with their dog walker?
Did they walk for the full hour?
Where did they go?
Did your dog spend half the walk stopping to sniff every tree in the neighbourhood?
Wagly includes live GPS tracking on walks completed through its Verified Pet Professional system.
This means owners can follow their dog's route while they're out.
Photo updates can also help you see how your pet is going.
It might seem like a small feature, but when you're at work or away from home wondering how your pet is doing, being able to see what's happening can provide some extra reassurance.
What Are the Risks of Using a General Marketplace?
This doesn't mean that everyone advertising pet services through Facebook, Gumtree or a community group shouldn't be trusted.
There are genuine and experienced Pet Professionals who use social media and general online marketplaces to promote their businesses.
The difference is that you may need to do more of the checking yourself.
Before booking someone you've found through a general marketplace, ask yourself:
Who is this person?
Can I verify their identity?
What experience do they have?
Do they have genuine reviews or references?
Are the qualifications they're claiming genuine?
Do they have appropriate insurance for the service they're providing?
What happens if they cancel?
How will they communicate with me while I'm away?
What would they do if my pet became sick or injured?
And most importantly:
Do I feel comfortable trusting this person with my pet?
Be Aware of Online Scams
Unfortunately, scams aren't limited to buying and selling products online.
Fake profiles, stolen photographs and requests for deposits can also appear in service advertisements.
Be cautious if someone pressures you to make a payment immediately or tries to rush you into making a decision.
Take the time to look at their profile and ask questions.
If you're dealing directly with someone you've found online, don't assume that a professional-looking advertisement means everything in it has been verified.
If someone claims to have qualifications, insurance or years of professional experience, it's reasonable to ask them about it.
A genuine Pet Professional should understand why you want to know who you're trusting with your pet.
Don't Choose on Price Alone
We all like finding a bargain.
But pet care isn't something you should choose based on price alone.
Someone offering pet sitting for less than everyone else isn't automatically a bad pet sitter. Likewise, the most expensive person isn't automatically the best.
Look at the whole picture.
Experience, reliability, reviews, communication and how comfortable you and your pet are with the person all matter.
Think about what you're actually asking that person to do.
You may be giving them your house keys.
They may be walking your dog in public without you.
They could be responsible for medication, feeding or caring for your pet overnight.
That's a lot of trust to place in another person.
A few dollars shouldn't be the only thing deciding who that person will be.
Your Pet's Individual Needs Matter
Finding a Pet Professional isn't only about checking the person.
You also need to think about your pet.
A young, energetic Labrador is going to have very different needs from a 14-year-old dog with arthritis.
An indoor cat who doesn't like strangers may need a different approach from a confident cat who greets everyone at the door.
Before booking, make sure the Pet Professional understands your pet's routine.
Tell them about medications, feeding, allergies, behavioural issues, anxiety, exercise requirements and anything else they need to know.
Don't leave out something because you think it might make your pet sound difficult.
The more information your Pet Professional has, the better prepared they can be to care for your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to find a pet sitter on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree?
There are genuine and experienced Pet Professionals who advertise through Facebook, Gumtree and community groups. However, because these are general marketplaces, you may need to check the person's identity, experience, qualifications, insurance and references yourself before deciding whether they're suitable for your pet.
What does Wagly Verified mean?
Wagly Pet Professionals complete Wagly's verification process, which includes identity verification and a National Police Check. Applications are also reviewed before the professional begins taking bookings.
Is Wagly Australian-owned?
Yes. Wagly is Australian-owned and run and was created as an Australian-focused pet care platform. This differs from Mad Paws, which was acquired by US-based pet care company Rover in November 2025.
What should I ask a Pet Professional before booking?
Ask about their experience, availability, rates and the types of animals they usually care for. You should also discuss your pet's routine, behaviour, medication, feeding requirements and what would happen in an emergency.
Should I choose the cheapest pet sitter?
Price is worth considering, but it shouldn't be the only deciding factor. Look at the person's experience, reviews, reliability and communication and make sure you feel comfortable trusting them with your pet.
Can I talk to a Wagly Pet Professional before booking?
Yes. You can message a Pet Professional before committing to a booking. Use this opportunity to explain your pet's needs, ask questions and decide whether the person is a good fit for you and your pet.
Can I track my dog's walk with Wagly?
Wagly's live GPS tracking allows pet owners to follow walks completed through its Verified Pet Professional system. Photo updates can also provide another way to see how your pet is going while they're out.
Final Thoughts
Finding someone to care for your pet is about more than finding someone who is available.
You're trusting another person with an animal who is part of your family. Depending on the service, you may also be trusting them with access to your home.
Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and community groups can help you find local pet services, and there are genuine Pet Professionals who advertise through them. However, you may need to do more of the checking yourself.
Using an Australian-owned platform such as Wagly gives you a pet-specific place to search for local Pet Professionals, compare services and find verified professionals, while also supporting a platform that is owned and run here in Australia.
No matter where you find your Pet Professional, ask questions.
Discuss your pet's individual needs.
Check the information you're given.
And make sure you feel comfortable before booking.
Because when it comes to your pet, trust should always matter more than simply choosing the cheapest or most convenient option.
Related Reading
Ready to explore Wagly? Access Wagly’s features right here on the website, or download the Wagly app to keep pet care, pet-friendly places and helpful tools close at hand wherever you and your pet go.
Until next time
The Wagly Team
