A home from home for your dog,
on the edge of the Downs.
Daycare for dogs whose owners expect more than supervision; regular, enriching walks through the day, real play, and full attention from someone they know. Walks-only visits also available.
— "I couldn't find the standard of care I wanted for my own dog. So I built it."
Critter Sitter Sussex began in 2017 after I struggled to find the kind of care I wanted for my own dog, Chloe. I wasn't looking for somewhere that simply watched dogs while their owners were at work. I wanted somewhere that genuinely understood them.
What started as dog walking and home visits has grown naturally over the years into the small-group enrichment daycare I'd always imagined creating.
Since 2017, I've had the privilege of caring for hundreds of dogs across Sussex. Many of my clients have stayed with me for years, and some have trusted me with their dogs throughout their entire lives. Those long-term relationships have shaped everything Critter Sitter has become.
Today, the philosophy is still exactly the same: keep groups small, know every dog as an individual, and give them a day that's built around what they need, not what's most convenient.
Meet the Founder
Two proper walks. Real rest in between.
— Philosophy
Critter Sitter Sussex was built on one simple belief: daycare should be somewhere dogs thrive, not simply somewhere they're supervised.
Every day balances exercise, enrichment, rest and social time, with groups carefully matched by temperament, confidence and pace. Rather than following the same routine for every dog, the day is shaped around the dogs themselves.
The result is simple: dogs go home fulfilled. They've explored, played, rested and used both their bodies and minds, not just waited for their owners to finish work.
What People Are Saying
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''Sam has been looking after our dog since we got him in 2017 and what a great decision that was. She's never let us down, great with communication and always seems to find a slot for him even if we ask last minute. His tail wags whenever she arrives speak volumes''.
~ Steve C
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''Sam has been our amazing dog walker and holiday sitter for 10 years! For both out lab and our cocker spaniel. My dogs absolutely love her and don't give us a second look when she arrives!! I couldn't recommend her highly enough. The care and love she gives dogs is second to none''.
~ Jasmine M
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"Our dogs have been going to Sam’s for many years now and we are so grateful for the love, care and fun that she provides. Sam is reliable, knowledgeable and will always help if she can. I would absolutely recommend her".
~ Alex F
“Not kennels.
Not a crate for the day.
A second home.”
— The Setting
From the outskirts of Hurstpierpoint to where countryside begins.
Set back from the village, with easy access to open countryside and quiet lanes ; close enough to be convenient, far enough to feel like a proper day out.
01 Private grounds, away from passing traffic and noise
02 Direct access to countryside walking routes
03 Small groups, matched for temperament and pace
04 Easy reach of Hurstpierpoint, Hassocks & Burgess Hill
— A Day at Critter Sitter
Two proper walks. Real rest in between.
Every dog's day follows the same considered shape; collection, exercise, enrichment, rest, a second walk, and home, with groups formed around temperament, not convenience, at every stage.
8:00 – 10:00am
Collection
Each dog is collected individually from home in one of our vehicles, safely secured for the journey. Before the day even begins, we take a moment to say hello properly and check everyone over, so if anything's not quite right, we catch it early rather than miss it.
Morning
The first walk
Straight from collection into the first of two proper countryside group walks. Groups are put together thoughtfully; by size, age, temperament, energy and how well everyone gets on — never just whoever happens to arrive at the same time. Dogs only go off lead where an owner has given consent and it's genuinely safe to do so.
Midday
Enrichment & play
Back at the centre, with fresh water waiting for everyone. Then it's into a rotating mix of scent work, snuffle mats, puzzle feeders, lick mats, natural chews and interactive toys, alongside supervised play with friends; refreshed regularly so it stays genuinely engaging rather than repetitive.
Early afternoon
Rest
A proper chance to settle in a calm, designated space; nobody is ever made to socialise if they'd rather have some peace. Puppies, older dogs and anyone needing a bit of quiet have their own space to relax, with toilet breaks offered whenever they're needed.
Afternoon
The second walk
Two to three hours after the first, everyone's back out for a second walk. Groups may be gently reshuffled depending on how the day's gone, so no one heads home overtired.
4:00 – 5:00pm
Home time
A calm close to the afternoon, one last cuddle and a proper look-over before anyone leaves, and a handover that actually means something; you'll hear how your dog's day went, not just that it happened.
“More than a lap of the field.
More than a box ticked.
A proper walk, every time.”
— Walks Only
Just the walk
For owners who don't need full daycare but want the same standard of care; a properly enriching walk, on a schedule that suits your dog.
— Enquire
Come and meet us first
Every new dog starts with an introductory visit; no dog joins a group unmet. Get in touch to arrange a time.