Quick Facts
What You'll Do
Pet sitting means caring for other people's animals while they travel for work or vacation. You might stay overnight in the client's home, board pets at your own place, or drop in for daily check-ins. The work is relationship-driven - pets and their owners need to trust you completely before handing over their keys and their furry family members.
A typical day during an in-home sit looks like this: arrive at the client's home, feed the pets according to the schedule left, take dogs for walks, give medications if needed, spend quality play time with the animals, clean up any messes, and send photo updates to the owner. Evening check-ins and morning feedings round out the daily routine.
Common pet sitting services include:
- Overnight in-home pet sitting
- Dog boarding at your home
- Drop-in check-in visits
- Medication administration
- Cat and small animal care
- Multi-pet household management
- Photo and video updates
- Mail and plant care add-ons
Earnings Breakdown
Pet sitting rates vary by service type, location, and number of pets. Boarding at your home and overnight in-home sitting are the highest-paying services.
| Level | Daily Rate | Holiday Rate | Monthly (Part-time) | Monthly (Full bookings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner 0-10 reviews |
$25 - $30/day | $35 - $45/day | $400 - $700 | $750 - $1,200 |
| Intermediate 10-30 reviews |
$35 - $45/day | $50 - $65/day | $700 - $1,200 | $1,500 - $2,500 |
| Expert 30+ reviews, multiple pets |
$50 - $75/day | $75 - $100/day | $1,200 - $2,000 | $2,500 - $4,000+ |
Note: Boarding multiple dogs at your home simultaneously multiplies income. Two dogs at $40/night each = $80/night with minimal extra effort. Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, July 4th) are peak earning opportunities.
Startup Costs
Pet sitting has one of the lowest startup costs of any service gig. Most of what you need you probably already own.
| Item | Cost | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rover or Wag profile | $0 | Required | Free to create. Rover takes 20% per booking. Worth it for the insurance and traffic. |
| Pet first aid course | $0 - $30 | Recommended | Rover offers a free version. Red Cross offers a paid comprehensive course. Either adds credibility. |
| Pet supplies (leashes, bowls, toys) | $20 - $50 | Recommended | For boarding at your home. Clients often bring their own but backup supplies are useful. |
| Pet sitting insurance | $15 - $30/month | Recommended | Rover Guarantee covers basic liability. Independent insurance via Pet Sitters Associates is stronger if you go off-platform. |
| Background check | $0 - $20 | Optional | Rover runs their own background check. Shows as a badge on your profile and increases trust significantly. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Spend time with animals you love
- Holiday bookings pay premium rates
- Passive income when pets sleep at your home
- Loyal repeat clients who travel regularly
- Low startup cost - start for under $50
- Rover provides insurance and payment protection
Cons
- Holiday demand means you cannot travel yourself
- Unpredictable pet behavior or health issues
- Home must be pet-proofed for boarding
- Insurance is essential but adds cost
- Rover takes 20% commission per booking
- Pet emergencies require quick decisive action
How to Get Started
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1
Create a detailed Rover profile
Upload at least 5 photos - your home, your yard, any pets you own, and yourself with animals. Write a warm, detailed bio covering what types of pets you accept, your experience, and how you handle emergencies. Profiles with photos get 4x more inquiries than text-only profiles.
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2
Complete the free pet first aid training
Rover's free training takes about 30 minutes and adds a verification badge to your profile. It also teaches you genuinely useful skills - knowing how to respond if a dog chokes or goes into shock is exactly what separates professionals from casual sitters in client eyes.
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3
Set intro rates slightly below local average
Research what sitters in your zip code charge and price 10-15% lower for your first 5-10 bookings. Once you have 5 five-star reviews, raise rates to market level. The reviews are worth more than the extra $5-$10 per night you are temporarily leaving on the table.
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4
Always offer a free meet-and-greet
A 20-30 minute in-person meeting before the first booking is standard practice and expected by serious clients. It lets the owner see your home (if boarding), lets you meet the pet, and confirms compatibility. Clients who do meet-and-greets book at a much higher rate than those who skip them.
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5
Send photo updates every few hours
Use Rover's in-app messaging to send photos and brief updates during each stay. A photo of their dog napping happily on your couch is the most powerful marketing tool you have. It turns one-time bookings into permanent repeat clients because the owner sees their pet is genuinely happy with you.
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6
Ask for a review after every booking
After each stay, send a brief message thanking the owner and gently asking for a Rover review. Most happy clients are glad to leave one but simply forget. Five-star reviews compound - each new review makes the next booking easier to win, gradually allowing you to raise rates.
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7
Block out holidays and set premium rates in advance
Set your holiday rates (Thanksgiving week, Christmas, July 4th, Labor Day) at 30-50% above your standard rate, and set these in your Rover calendar before clients start asking. Sitters who fail to do this end up working their hardest days for standard rates while others earn $75-$100 per night.
Where to Find Pet Sitting Clients
Affiliate note: links above will connect to platform signup pages. Platform recommendations are based on earning potential and ease of starting, not commission rates.
Taxes as a Pet Sitter
You'll owe self-employment tax
As a 1099 contractor on Rover or as an independent pet sitter, you pay both the employee and employer share of Social Security and Medicare - 15.3% on top of regular income tax. On $20,000 of pet sitting income, expect a tax bill of $4,000-$6,000 depending on your state and deductions.
Calculate My Tax Bill - FreeKey tax rules for pet sitters
- ✓ Set aside 25-30% of every payment for taxes. Do this immediately - before you touch the money.
- ✓ Deduct pet-related business expenses: food, treats, leashes, cleaning supplies, and pet first aid certification costs are all deductible.
- ✓ Home office / pet area deduction: if you board pets, the area of your home used exclusively for pet care may qualify as a business deduction.
- ✓ Pay quarterly estimates if you expect to owe more than $1,000. Due dates: April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15.
- ✓ Track all income - not just amounts where clients send a 1099. You owe tax on every dollar earned, regardless of whether you receive a form.