Basel has a small but well-organised pet-care scene, mostly built around two large national platforms (Pawshake.ch and Petsitting24.ch) plus one local doggy-daycare specialist. Booking ahead is wise during Art Basel (mid-June) and the Basel Fair (autumn), when sitters fill up weeks in advance. Most sitters speak German and English; French and Italian are common but not universal.
Citywide platform
The largest pet-sitting marketplace in Switzerland, with verified profiles, in-app messaging and insurance included. Filter by neighbourhood and language; most Basel sitters offer day-care, overnight boarding and dog-walking. Read multiple reviews before booking — quality varies sitter by sitter.
💡 Book at least a week ahead in June (Art Basel) and October (Herbstmesse) — the city's two big peaks
Citywide platform
A Swiss-based pet-sitting platform listing sitters for cats, dogs, small animals and birds. Profiles include rates per service (visit, walk, full day, overnight) and most Basel sitters speak English. The interface is available in EN/DE/FR which makes it easier than Pawshake for travellers without German.
💡 Use the 'Last-Minute' filter for same-day availability — common on weekdays in central Basel
Riehen (15 min by tram 6)
A specialist doggy-daycare and training centre on the German border in Riehen, with indoor and fenced outdoor play, supervised group walks and certified trainers. Half-day, full-day and weekly packages available. Drop-off in the morning and pick-up before 18:00 makes it ideal for travellers spending a day at Art Basel or in the Vitra Museum nearby.
💡 Reserve ahead — slots fill quickly during summer holidays and trade-fair weeks
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois
★★★★★ · 9.4/10
€580/night
Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel
★★★★ · 9/10
€240/night
Krafft Basel
★★★★ · 8.9/10
€220/night