Earn Up To $35/Hour As a Pet Sitter in the US – Apply here

Are you an animal lover who wants to turn that passion into a steady income? Whether you’re searching for a side hustle with flexibility or a full-time job that doesn’t feel like work, pet sitting might be the ideal choice for you. Increasing numbers of Americans are opening their doors—and wallets—to make sure their furry companions are well taken care of when they’re away. And the good news? You can make up to $35 an hour simply by hanging out with pets.

In America, pet sitting has become a booming business. With millions of pet owners taking trips for business or leisure, there’s always a demand for reliable, competent pet sitters. That means opportunity abounds, whether you’re in a large metropolis or a small suburb. And many pet owners are willing to pay top dollar for individualized, one-on-one attention far superior to the run-of-the-mill kennel or pet boarding facility.

This book is going to take you through all that you must know in order to be a pet sitter-how to apply, how to find the highest-paying jobs, and advice on succeeding. So ready to earn money while doing something you love? Keep reading to see how you can get started today.

Why Pet Sitting Is a Great Side Hustle (or Full-Time Gig)

Pet sitting is a unique combination of flexibility, fun, and financial potential. It is not a typical part-time job that calls for strict hours or a visit to the office. You decide when you want to work, whom you work for, and what services you offer. It may be dog walks every day, weekend visits to cats, or full-time pet sitting at home-you decide what suits you best.

Another benefit is that pet sitting does not involve any formal training or costly certifications to begin. Provided you’re responsible, loving, and reliable, there’s a good likelihood that you’ll be able to find pet parents who want to hire you. And if you’re already seasoned with pets perhaps you’ve had dogs, cats, or other pets then you’re halfway there already.

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Besides economic benefits, pet sitting is emotionally rewarding. Interacting with animals is found to ease stress and improve one’s mood and satisfaction. It has to be a dream come true to be rewarded in the hazy aim of hanging out with pets throughout the day.

No matter whether you’re a student, home-based parent, retiree, or someone who just wants a fun way to earn extra money, pet sitting can quite easily be an excellent income stream that’s well-paying and solid.

How Much You Can Really Earn as a Pet Sitter?

One of the greatest benefits to becoming a pet sitter is that you have the capability of earning a fair hourly pay rate—frequently as much as $35/hour or more. But how much you can make depends on a few key things. Location is key; pet sitters in urban areas or affluent neighborhoods charge more because there’s more demand and a higher standard of living. In urban areas like New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, charging $30–$40 an hour isn’t out of the question for experienced sitters.

Your rates can also differ depending on the services you provide. Basic dog walking might earn $15–$25 an hour, but overnight stays or pet sitting that requires special care (like administering medication, dealing with senior pets, or dealing with exotic animals) can earn $50 or more per day. Charging extra for services—like grooming, training, or poop scooping can increase your earnings even further.

Most sitters also get tips from happy pet parents, especially if they provide frequent updates, photos, and top-notch care. As you develop a base of repeat clients and positive reviews over time, you can raise your rates with assurance. With steady bookings, most pet sitters can make $500 to $3,000+ per month, depending on their availability and work ethic.

What You Need to Get Started

Beginning as a pet sitter is absolutely simple compared to many other side hustles. You don’t need an Ivy League degree or resume what’s most important is that you adore animals and are reliable enough to take good care of them. That being said, there are a couple of things you should have in place before you schedule your first client.

Most importantly, you must feel comfortable with different types of pets especially dogs and cats. Knowing a bit about fundamental animal behavior, reading body language, and getting to know their feeding, walking, and play habits is extremely crucial. You can search for loads of free stuff on the internet, or even take a brief pet care course to feel more confident.

Most pet sitting websites require you to be at least 18 years old and pass a background check. Having a vehicle to travel around in is also a plus, especially if you’re going to offer in-home visits or emergency visits.

While not required, possessing pet CPR or pet first aid basic certifications can make you stand out and enable pet owners to hire you with greater confidence. Last but not least, a professional, friendly attitude and great communication skills can’t be surpassed. Remember, pet sitting is all about caring for the pet—but also earning trust from their owners.

Best Platforms & Apps to Find Pet Sitting Jobs

Acquiring clients as a pet sitter has never been easier, thanks to a rise in apps and sites that connect pet owners with reliable and safe caregivers. Not only do these resources get you found, but bookings, payments, and even insurance are handled by these sites, making it easier and safer to start earning income.

Rover is by a wide margin the most utilized pet sitting website in the United States. You can determine your own rates, choose the services you want to offer (dog walking, drop-ins, house sitting, etc.), and build a profile with photos, reviews, and availability. Rover also offers 24/7 support and insurance protection, which gives clients and sitters peace of mind.

Wag! is also a brand name in pet care at home. While it’s best known for dog walking, it does offer pet boarding and sitting too. Wag! is a bit more structured than Rover, typically matching sitters up with jobs instead of allowing you to maintain your client base, but it’s still a decent way to get started and earn money quickly.

Care.com is a more general caregiving website that includes pet care as well as child care, senior care, and housekeeping. You’ll need to create a good profile and possibly pay for a premium membership to get the most visibility, but it can pair you with well-paying private clients.

Don’t sell short local resources, either. Placing ads on local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, or even at your local pet stores or vet clinics can lead to good, stable jobs. Word-of-mouth is powerful in the pet sitting industry, and a personal referral tends to mean consistent business.

The secret is to choose the site that best works for you. Some sitters post ads on a range of sites to achieve maximum exposure, and others post on only one and build a loyal client base there.

Tips to Succeed as a Pet Sitter

Standing out from the pack in the pet sitting industry isn’t just about loving animals (though that’s a huge part!). In order to make top dollars every year and be booked solid, you have to approach pet sitting as a legitimate business—a blend of professionalism, personality, and empathy.

Start by creating a nice profile on whichever site you’re using. Use friendly, uncomplicated language that reflects your experience with animals, any qualifications you have, and your own personal tone. Add good-quality photos—especially photos of you and animals. This gives people confidence right from the start.

Once you’re attracting clients, communication is the best. Answer messages quickly, ask serious questions about the schedule of the pet, and send periodic reports (bonus points for cute pictures!). Parent pets want to be assured that their pet loved ones are in good hands, and advance reports soothe them—and remind them of upcoming reservations.

Reliability is huge. Be punctual always, do things to the letter, and keep the house clean if you’re staying overnight. Overdeliver wherever you can, and don’t be afraid to ask for a review after a job well done. A few great reviews can launch your visibility.

Lastly, be well-organized. Use a calendar to manage several bookings and avoid overlaps. Track earnings, note special requests from clients, and keep emergency contacts handy.

Real Stories: Pet Sitters Earning $35/Hour+

It’s simple enough to be informed that pet sitting will earn you $35 an hour—it’s a very different thing to observe real people doing it. Across the United States, regular folks are turning their love of animals into thriving enterprises, and many have built careers on par with the traditional 9-to-5, with the added perk of being able to spend their workdays around pets.

Take Jasmine, a former office assistant from Austin, Texas. She started pet sitting part-time on Rover while working a desk job. Six months of consistent weekend bookings and a flood of 5-star ratings later, she went full-time. Now, she earns around $1,200–$1,500 per week during peak seasons by offering in-home sitting and overnights. “I never thought I could supplement my full-time income just by hanging out with dogs,” she says.

And Mike, a Seattle university student. He began dog walking between classes on Wag! and now does cat sitting and pet visits. Since he has experience with senior animals and administering meds, he can charge top dollar—up to $40/hour. “It doesn’t even feel like work,” he explains. “I bring my computer, hang out with a cat for a couple hours, and get paid.”

These stories tell of the potential that lies ahead when you couple consistency, outstanding service, and genuine devotion to animals.

How to Begin & Begin Today

It’s easier than you believe to start as a pet sitter. You don’t need too glamorous a resume or a whole lot of experience just a genuine love for animals, some responsibility, and a bit of no-nonsense steps to place yourself there. Below is how you can begin:

Step 1: Choose a Platform

Start with choosing a platform that suits your purpose. Rover and Wag! are two popular options for starters, offering a steady stream of clients and facilities to manage bookings. If you prefer an independent route, Care.com or even neighborhood apps and bulletin boards will do.

Step 2: Create a Superb Profile

Your profile is your initial impression. Craft a friendly, professional bio discussing your passion for animals, previous pet experience, and the type of services you provide. Post clear, welcoming photos—particularly any of you with pets. The aim is to establish trust at first sight.

Step 3: Complete Required Checks

Most apps will require basic ID verification and a background check. It’s typically fast and helps clients feel more confident that you’re reliable and trustworthy.

Step 4: Set Your Schedule and Rates

Determine what services you’d like to provide—overnight care, dog walking, daily visits—and determine your availability. Begin with competitive pricing to gain your first clients, then increase them as you receive reviews.

Step 5: Start Booking Jobs!

Once your profile is approved, you’re ready to start accepting requests. Be proactive—respond quickly, offer to meet pets in advance, and go above and beyond to earn those 5-star ratings.

You can be up and running in a matter of days, and some pet sitters have their first job within a week of applying. Whatever your motivation is for doing this, whether for extra cash or building a business, the secret to success is in your hands.

Conclusion

By this point, it should be obvious that pet sitting is more than a feel-good job—it’s a legitimate, versatile means of earning up to $35 an hour at something you truly love. Whether you’re interested in making some extra cash or creating a full-time business based on animals, the opportunities are all around you.

We take you through everything here in this guide, starting right from why pet sitting is a fabulous side hustle, through the amount of money you can expect to earn and what you might need to start, where best to find most successful jobs to meet some of the real examples of people such as yourselves.

If you’re ready to dive in, there’s nothing stopping you. Sign up on a trusted platform like Rover or Wag!, build a profile that shows off your passion and reliability, and start accepting clients. The demand is high, pet parents are always looking for trusted sitters, and the best time to start is now.

So go ahead—apply now, get paid, and cash in on your free time as a steady income… while spending time with cuddly pals who will adore you for it.

FAQs: Pet Sitting in the US

Q1: Do I need professional experience to become a pet sitter?

A: Not at all. Experience is helpful, but most pet sitting websites are open to beginners who are responsible, animal-loving, and caring. If you’ve had pets, worked at a shelter, or even assisted friends with their pets, that’s a good foundation.

Q2: How do I get paid as a pet sitter?

A: The majority of sites such as Rover or Wag! process payments right through their app. Clients pay in advance, and your pay is transferred to your account once the job is done—typically within 1–5 business days.

Q3: Is pet sitting safe?

A: Yes—especially if you work through good platforms that vet both pet owners and sitters. You can also choose and select which jobs you do. Most apps offer insurance coverage and 24/7 assistance in case of an emergency.

Q4: How do I set my rates?

A: You can set your own fees on most platforms. Start with competitive rates to get your profile and reviews built. Once you’ve gained trust and demand, you can raise your prices gradually—especially for specialty services such as overnights or senior pet care.

Q5: What kinds of services can I offer as a pet sitter?

A: You may offer a range of services like dog walking, drop-in visits, overnight sitting, pet boarding in your own home, administering medication, feeding, grooming, etc. You decide what you are comfortable doing.