Residents and vets of a Sydney suburb are desperately searching for a dog and a cat after their petsitter suffered a stroke and was unable to find them.

Facebook pages and door-to-door searches have been organised in Summer Hill because the petsitter, reportedly known as Tim, has been unable to tell his family the whereabouts of the animals since his stroke.

Tara Britton, a veterinary nurse at Summer Hill Village Vet, said the man’s son, Sean, had contacted the practice on Thursday seeking help to find the animals whose owners are on holiday, but so far they hadn’t found any trace of them.

According to posts on Facebook, the pets have been without food or water for five days. Fairfax Media reported that the man had suffered a stroke on Boxing Day.

It is believed the owners are on holiday somewhere on the south coast of New South Wales.

Shoalhaven police have also been alerted and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Summer Hill Village Vet.