Hello. I’m a European sitter and I’m thinking about applying for some sits in Australia — it’s a country I’ve always wanted to visit, and the idea of discovering it while caring for pets really appeals to me.
That said, I’ll admit I’m feeling slightly nervous about the wildlife. I’ve never had to think about snakes, spiders, or other animals posing a risk to pets before, and the idea of being responsible for a dog in that environment feels a bit daunting.
I’ve read posts where owners mention that their dogs love to go swimming — and meanwhile, I have visions of them being eaten by crocodiles or sharks! I know that probably sounds dramatic (and hopefully it is), but I suppose I’m wondering if we outsiders tend to overstate the dangers, while Australians themselves seem quite laid back about it all. Does dog-sitting in Australia come with a long list of warnings about where not to walk them, when to keep them inside, what to check for, etc.?
I’m also wondering: are Aussie dogs somehow more aware of their environment?Because looking at my own dog, she wouldn’t last five minutes in Australia.
Would love to hear from Aussies (or non Aussies who’ve done sits in Australia).
Its a large country with varying terrain and climates so many of your concerns would vary by location and season. I would expect the pet owner would alert you to local/seasonal concerns and what they do to avoid them. As an example, on a recent sit, the pet owner let me know to avoid hiking local trails because there had been a lot of rattle snake activity. This video breaks down things in Australia that can kill you by region: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ovjp0jexsWg
Hi I’m Australian, a sitter and owner on THS. You are over thinking the wildlife dangers. Yes we have 9 out 10 of the most dangerous snakes, crocodiles, spiders etc but I’ve survived 60 years! Our population continues to grow despite the stupidity of some who take reckless risks.
Like in most unfamiliar places, you just need to be aware of your surroundings. For example if you are in coastal areas of northern Australia, above the tropic of Capricorn you don’t go swimming or walk on beaches or rivers where there are warning signs about crocodiles in the area. Same about marine stingers. If walking in bush areas keep your eyes on where you are walking and if you see a snake walk away not toward it. Snakes really only attack you if they feel threatened. I could go on but you get the picture.
I think you need to be more mindful of our weather. Australia is a vast country (much bigger than the whole of Europe & UK) where it can be blistering hot and humid in the north and snowing in the south at the same time.
You might not be comfortable sitting in our tropical regions in summer due to temperatures in mid to high 30s and high humidity usually over 80%. In Queensland where I live, every summer we have a devasting weather event - cyclone or bush fires or floods. But it’s the most beautiful state to visit.
The other thing for you need to seriously think about is how you are going to travel the vast distances here. We don’t have the cross country/continental train system you are used to in Europe. You will need to fly to most places unless you like very long drives. I can drive for 2000km and still not leave my state! So if you are going to spend the time and money to visit, come for a few months to make it worthwhile (and it truly is worth it), not a few weeks. There are a few sitters on this forum who have done that so hopefully they will give you ther perspective.
The mystery and magnificence of Australia is enhanced by how remote we are from the northern hemisphere (and the fun we have with tourists from there about all our dangerous wildlife!)
Do a lot of research and ignore the hyperbole. Come on down, you won’t regret it!
As a European who’s really not into creepy crawlies, let alone snakes, I went to Australia for 3 months to house sit.
Guess how many scary things I saw? Zero!
I was in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Red Centre.
You’ll be fine! I’d go back in a heartbeat!
But everyone knows the best protection from drop bears is to always be accompanied by some who can’t run as fast as you. Smearing Vegemite on your neck also works.
Stay out of salt and fresh water in Northern Australia and be mindful of stinger warnings in NW Australia and you should be good.
We just got back from 6 weeks in Australia. Never saw a snake or a spider. We did find salt water crocodiles but we went looking for them.
If you insist on worrying about Australian wildlife, worry that you’ll miss finding koalas, echidnas, wallabies and goannas in the wild. As many as they have, they’re not easy to find.
Hi @traveltails,
Non Aussie here who’s done 5 sits in Australia!
I agree with @Els and @Crookie (that’s a realistic point of view, not just a laidback national pride haha)
I lived in Australia for a few years, and although I had the same concerns before traveling there (probably thanks to TV clichés ), I ended up petsittigng with one of the local platforms AHS in New South Wales and Queensland. I also been weeks in a rainforest, and honestly, even that didn’t feel dangerous, since any potential risks are clearly marked and well managed by local councils.
I still sometimes find walking a dog or crossing the street at night in some European cities riskier (and even then, the risk is still very low).
Consciously analyze the regions, weather, and distances. Excellent tip
Honestly, I still think eating a spoonful of Vegemite like it’s Nutella, peanut butter, or cream cheese is far more dangerous than the biggest drop bear ever recorded. That could be lethal.
I have stayed in southern US with my dog and had to be careful about alligators. I have traveled through Australian a few times. And worried about snakes. But nothing happened.
@traveltails I’m American and have done cat sits in Western Australia and the only wildlife interaction I had was with the kangaroos roaming in the yard every now and again (the HO told me this was a possibility prior to accepting the sit). They got on good with the cats but I never went near them. Here are some pics of the cats hanging out with the kangaroos.
We lived in Australia for 10 years. The only time we saw snakes were when we went camping or hiking in the bush, on 3-4 occasions. Spiders, well, over the span of 10 years we were bound to see spiders from time to time, but they mostly keep to themselves. Honestly, it didn’t feel different to most other places we’ve been to, in terms of threat, except far north Queensland, where there seems to be more threats, but also more unlikely you would travel there.
On a normal housesit, in any suburban area, it feels just like any other suburb. It’s only once you start going rural or remote that you might encounter more wildlife. Enjoy, it’s a wonderful place with beautiful beaches. You can walk miles and miles, encountering only a handful of other people.
Funny thing, I went outside looking for the cats (they’re indoor/outdoor cats). When I saw them with that kangaroo I snapped a few pictures and told the cats come home when you’re ready there was no way I going near that kangaroo it was huge.
First of all, thank you so much to everyone who took the time to reply — I really appreciate all the input and hearing different perspectives from both locals and experienced sitters. It’s been really helpful and encouraging!
I just wanted to gently clarify one small point, as I think my message may have come across slightly differently than I intended. Quite a few of the responses seemed to assume I was afraid for myself, but actually my concern is more about the pets, especially if I were looking after a dog.
Being unfamiliar with the environment, I wouldn’t necessarily know what to watch out for — and I’d hate to put someone else’s pet at risk through simple lack of local knowledge. My own dog (who is lovely but not very street-smart!) has a habit of getting into trouble — most recently she made herself quite ill eating venomous mushrooms, and she regularly tries to stick her nose in insect nets! So it got me wondering how a dog like her would fare in a place where real outdoor dangers are part of daily life
just wanted to add. I really appreciate the advice on how I can avoid stepping on snakes and other hazards — but what I’m especially curious about is how you handle dogs that like to roam a few metres ahead. Does this mean no off-lead walking at all in Australia, aside from fully fenced urban parks? Again, it’s not myself I’m worried about — it’s the responsibility of keeping someone else’s dog safe in an unfamiliar and potentially risky environment.
Thanks again for all the thoughtful replies — I really do appreciate it!
thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed reply. it is very reassuring. it’s more the pets i’m worried about. like a dog wandering a few meters away from me off lead and stepping on a snake or not knowing where is safe for them to have a swim in summer. i would only dip my toes in the water even it’s it meant to be safe, but would be worried about allowing a dog to go for a swim. but anyway thank you i do feel less worried.
Dogs will be dogs, no matter where they live. They adapt to their environment. If you took a dog swimming in a place where there are crocs, yes it will probably be eaten. But you just wouldn’t go there. Taking a dog to the beach and let it swim in the waves is a joy. Highly unlikely the dog will be eaten by a shark. The owner will guide you about what they do with the dog.
We had a family dog on a farm get bitten by a Taipan snake when he was protecting my Dad. Yes, the dog died within minutes but it was a hero, saving it’s master’s life, doing its job. These are extraordinary circumstances.
If you are looking after a dog in suburbia, you will have more concerns about you and the dog being run over by a car or bus when you are crossing the street than the Australian wildlife. No different to any other country.
But if you are here in spring you will need to watch out for swooping magpies (or maggies as we call them). Every Aussie knows how to run from the swooping maggie defending it’s territory! Sales of cable ties go up in spring here when all the bike riders decorate their helmets with them
That’s great you are thinking of the dogs @traveltails. If sitting in Australian cities, dogs can rarely be off lead on walks and not all suburbs will have an enclosed dog park. Nor do some owners like their dogs to go there. Some beaches are dog friendly or have set times when they can be off lead but this is rare over summer. Dogs generally can’t travel on our public transport unless they are an assistance dog.
Be very choosy and do your homework of the location of any sit you are interested in because there are many where you will not encounter our wildlife. We don’t live and behave like ‘Crocodile Dundee’!! We are very civilised and the majority of the population live in urban areas, mainly along the east coast. It is only far north Australia that crocodiles could be encountered but that’s more remote and not where sits are likely to be. Regions where snakes can be can easily be avoided by visiting in the cooler months when they are hibernating.
It’s a vast and beautiful country so don’t think you’ll be able to see lots of it in a short time. Maybe @Smiley can give you a few tips.
Our population continues to grow despite the stupidity of some who take reckless risks.
), I ended up petsittigng with one of the local platforms AHS in New South Wales and Queensland. I also been weeks in a rainforest, and honestly, even that didn’t feel dangerous, since any potential risks are clearly marked and well managed by local councils.
could be lethal. 
