Professional Pet Sitter and Dog Walker in Christchurch

VIPets Ltd Philosophy

Our Core Values and Virtues: Joy, Love, Compassion, Heart.

Our Mission Statement: To use our love and compassion for all animals to bring joy into the hearts of the pets in our care by:

Being observant and keenly aware of pets needs at all times (such as the subtle changes in their demeanour that convey how they feel).
Reducing pet’s stress, frustration, loneliness and boredom to an absolute minimum at all times.
Clearly communicating with clients to ensure homes are run to their exact specifications so pets are kept as close to their routine as possible.
Recreating play and exercise routines as close to pet’s daily regimens as possible to ensure pets feel safe, comfortable and content in their parent’s absence and
using positive, loving and compassionate reinforcement of the training already in place.

VIPets Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Services in Christchurch

VIPets provides professional in-home pet sitting and dog walking in Christchurch for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and other small animals. Our services include:

Daily Pet Sitting Visits

Feeding, medication, companionship, and care

Midday Dog Walking

30-60 minute personalised walks with GPS tracking

Overnight Pet Care

Full evening and morning care with overnight presence

Holiday Pet Sitting

Christmas, summer holidays, and extended travel care

Regular Weekly Care

Consistent visits while you're at work

About Lesley Huntley

Meet Lesley Huntley - Experienced Pet Sitter and Dog Walker in Christchurch

Hi, I’m Lesley, and I’ve been a professional pet sitter and dog walker in Christchurch for the past 10 years. I run VIPets, providing dog walking and pet sitting services throughout Christchurch and surrounding areas. It’s so nice to virtually meet you!

My mission is to be the best possible replacement for you when you can’t be there for your special friends.

I have always felt a deep connection with animals from when I was very young. When I was a child I would actively seek out and find other people’s pets to spend time with, I was known around our neighbourhood as the “kid that comes over to play with our dog.” The child in me is ecstatic we grew up to play with animals every day for a living!

In 2008 I started a two year house and pet sitting tour of Australia and Canada. I cared for a wide range of pets in their family’s homes in return for comfortable, inexpensive accommodation. I have touching pet sitting references from this time, you can read them here. I ran my web design business from the family’s dining room table which meant I was always there for the pets I was caring for. I especially enjoyed pet sitting assignments with dogs as it meant long walks around new and exciting areas were much more fun.

I have been a volunteer at Orana Park, the Cat’s Protection League, and I spent a year at Dogwatch, working to find homes for abandoned pound dogs. I’m looking forward to bringing the benefits of these years of experience to your special friend when they join the VIPets Family.

Why Choose VIPets Pet Sitting and Dog Walking in Christchurch?

Free Consultation

This gives you the chance to meet us face to face in your home to see exactly how we interact with your dog and how they react to us. You get to meet us, ask us all manner of questions and find out whether or not you feel we are a good fit to become part of your family.

Use of Technology

All visits and walks are tracked with GPS software, so you are able to see what time we arrived, how long we were there, when we left and every single moment in between. All visits are scheduled through our portal and the schedule is emailed to the sitter first thing every morning. This ensures no pet is missed and left stranded without a potty break.

Free Trial

After we have been to your home for the meet and greet and you have decided that we are a good fit for you and your pet, you are able to trial our dog walking services with a completely free first walk. All free dog walks include GPS tracking emailed as soon as the walk ends.

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Experience & Qualifications

First Aid Certified

Lesley is pet first aid certified through a PETFAT training course. The PETFAT program has been written together with a team of veterinary professionals and covers over 23 different modules. Training covers rescue breathing and CPR and includes how to deal with shock, seizures, choking, burns, poisoning, broken bones, heat stroke, cuts & grazes and more.

Ongoing Training

To ensure dogs who are entrusted to our care get the very most from our outings, we are committed to constantly learning innovative techniques to enhance your dog's experience with us and support your current training methods. Training methods are being reviewed, updated and improved all the time and we are determined to keep learning on an ongoing basis.

Experienced Professionals

Lesley started VIPets in July 2015 so has over 10 years experience caring for pets professionally. Lesley is a full-time, dedicated pet care provider with a wealth of experience in this field. Lesley and any employees are covered with full public liability insurance to the value of $1 Million. This includes up to $10,000 worth of pet cover.

"Lesley has been helping me out with daily dog walks during a particularly busy time and I just want to rave about how amazing her service is! For my dog Sam it was love at first and when Lesley arrives to take her for a walk she goes nuts. Each time they complete a walk I receive a “dog log” via email with notes and photos of their adventure. I love coming home to a happy, relaxed dog who has had a great day thanks to her Mary Poppins dog nanny."

"Zeppelin absolutely loves going for walks with Lesley — he completely loses his mind when she arrives at the door! Getting the map of where they’ve been is so cute and Lesley always takes fabulous photos of all the dogs having fun together. Being able to book services online is a huge plus as well! :)"

"Lesley has been walking Dora, twice a week for 7 months now. It is obvious, from the photos we receive, that she has an exciting adventure with her “mates” every walk. Thanks Lesley for caring for Dora, keeping her safe and helping to keep her happy and healthy while we are busy."

"We’re so pleased with Lesley and VIPets, she’s been a real life saver! Our dog loves his walks (don’t they all) and having Lesley take him out when we can’t or even just spending time with him provides great peace of mind. Professional and friendly service, would highly recommend."

"Lesley has been walking our puppy Dusty for a few weeks now. He absolutely adores her – almost has a heart attack when she comes through the door! I love the email updates that we get after every walk with photos and a wee story of what went on that day. It’s great peace of mind that our dog is being walked and well looked after by someone who truly loves dogs."

"VIPets has been walking our labrador Gretl each week for over a year now and we cannot recommend it highly enough. Each week we get a full update complete with photos on where Gretl has been who she has met, what friends went on the outing. We can see by the photos all the dogs look like they are having the time of their lives! I am sure your pets will love it as much as our dog Gretl does!"

Three Simple Steps to Premium Pet Care

Free Home Consultation

Experience the VIPets difference with a personal meeting in your pet’s comfortable environment. We’ll discuss your furry family member’s unique personality, specific care needs, and preferred routines while assessing the perfect match between your pet and our professional service. No pressure, no obligations – just genuine conversation about what matters most to your beloved companion.

Personalised Care Plan

Based on our consultation, we’ll design a completely customised care plan that honours your pet’s individual nature and your family’s requirements. From feeding preferences and exercise routines to special medical needs and comfort rituals, every detail is tailored to ensure your pet receives exactly the love and attention they’re accustomed to at home.

Premium Care Package

Relax and enjoy complete peace of mind knowing your cherished pet is receiving professional pet sitting in Christchurch. With GPS-tracked visits, real-time photo updates, and detailed care reports delivered straight to your phone, you’ll feel connected to your pet’s day while experiencing the freedom that comes with truly professional, trustworthy care.

Still Have Questions About VIPets? We Have Answers...

Who is Lesley Huntley?

Lesley is the founder and owner of VIPets, Christchurch’s professional pet sitting and dog walking service. With over 10 years of experience caring for cats, dogs, and small animals, Lesley is Pet First Aid certified, fully insured, and passionate about providing the best possible care for your pets while you’re away.

What qualifications does VIPets have?

Lesley is Pet First Aid certified through PETFAT training, covering 23 modules including CPR, emergency response, heat stroke, and wound care. VIPets carries $1 million public liability insurance plus $10,000 pet cover. We invest in ongoing training in animal behaviour and modern care techniques.

What areas of Christchurch does VIPets serve?

VIPets provides professional pet sitting and dog walking throughout Christchurch including Fendalton, Merivale, Riccarton, Cashmere, Sumner, St Albans, Ilam, Papanui, Woolston, Halswell, Sydenham, and Addington. Contact us to confirm we cover your area!

How long has VIPets been in business?

VIPets was established in July 2015, giving us over 10 years of professional pet care experience in Christchurch. Before starting VIPets, Lesley spent two years providing professional house and pet sitting across Australia and Canada, and volunteered at Orana Park, Cat’s Protection League, and Dogwatch.

Is the first visit really free?

Yes! After your complimentary home consultation where we meet you and your pets, you can trial our dog walking service with a completely free first walk. This includes full GPS tracking and photo updates so you can experience our service risk-free before committing.