Isn’t it the dream of any animal lover to be able to make a living spending time with animals? Imagine waking up to go to work and getting to snuggle cats and walk dogs all day. While pet sitting has unique challenges, it is a rewarding job with many perks. If you’ve been considering becoming a pet sitter, you’re probably wondering what salary to expect. Most American pet sitters get paid approximately $16.41 per hour, but your wage can vary greatly depending on various factors.
Keep reading to learn how much pet sitters can make and what you need to do to make your dream of caring for animals for a living come true.
What Does a Pet Sitter Make?
- Their geographical location
- How many animals they’re caring for
- What services they’re providing outside of pet-sitting
- Size of their client base
- If they’re working for themselves or an employer
Take a look at the following chart to get an idea of what pet sitters are paid hourly and yearly worldwide.
| Country | Per Hour | Per Year |
| United States | $16.41 | $34,125 |
| Canada | $20 | $39,000 |
| United Kingdom | £15 | £29,250 |
| Australia | $30.77 | $60,000 |
Source: Talent.com
Pet sitters can also earn tips; some clients will tip 15%–20%, which can significantly increase your income. It’s important to mention that money isn’t the main motivation for most pet sitters. Many of them primarily choose to do it because they love pets and because house sitting allows them to land free stays.
What Do Pet Sitters Do?
A pet sitter’s job is to care for pets while their owners are on vacation or working long hours. They either move into their clients’ homes when they are away, board the animals in their own homes, or make daily visits to the clients’ homes to ensure the pets in their care are cared for. It’s typically best for a pet sitter to come to their client’s home to do the care rather than board them, as most animals feel more comfortable in a space they’re familiar with.
- Feeding the animals
- Refilling water dishes
- Cleaning litter boxes or cages
- Cleaning up accidents
- Giving medication
- Walking dogs
- Playing with the animals
Pet sitters can interact with species other than cats and dogs. Fish, birds, reptiles, and small mammals like rabbits or guinea pigs are popular pets. However, they are considered exotic animals and require very different and specific care. Pet sitters planning to offer services for exotic pets must research how to care for the animals properly.
How Does One Become a Pet Sitter?
Pet sitters don’t need formal education or training to perform their job. That’s not to say anyone off the street can become a pet sitter, though. You must have experience with animals to do your job well.
Most pet sitters have first-hand experience with the animals they offer to care for. They’ve either been a pet owner or had previous experience working with animals in a prior job. Though you don’t need to go to school to become a pet sitter, we recommend taking pet first aid courses.
Not only will this make you more adept at your job, but it will give your client peace of mind. They’ll feel more comfortable leaving their animals in your care if they know you can perform first aid if an accident occurs.
Where Do Pet Sitters Work?
Pet sitters can either work for themselves or for an employer. Pet-sitting employers may charge more than independent contractors, but clients will be afforded more benefits. For example, companies typically run background checks on prospective employees, so clients can relax knowing their pet sitter doesn’t have a sketchy past. Employers will also take care of scheduling and provide the equipment their sitters need to perform their job.
Companies are often bonded and insured, which provides additional protection for clientele. They also have strict rules regarding adherence to company policies and procedures. Employees who do not do their job well will be held responsible.
Pet sitters who work for themselves run their own pet-sitting businesses. They set their own hours and provide their own tools and equipment. They may have a day job and do pet sitting on the side for extra money or to sneak in snuggles with more animals.
It can be difficult for individuals to make a good living pet sitting, especially when first starting. Building a client base can take a long time, and you’ll primarily rely on word of mouth for marketing for the first while. That’s not to say it’s impossible, however. You might not want to quit your day job to do pet sitting full-time until you’re sure you have enough work to pay the bills.
What Skills Do Pet Sitters Need?
To be the most successful pet sitter, you need a particular set of skills and competencies. These include:
Reliability
Potential clients will not hire you if you are not responsible enough to do the job for which you’re employed. People rely on you to care for their beloved family members, so you must be willing to show up every day and perform the tasks expected of you.
Love of animals
You wouldn’t hire someone who hates dogs to come to your home and care for your pup while you’re away. The best pet sitters are animal lovers who enjoy spending time with animals and understand their needs.
Communication
Pet sitters need to be able to communicate with not only the pets they’re caring for but also with their owners. It is essential to communicate with your clients when they’re away so they know that you’re performing the duties you were hired to and to give them peace of mind. Keep them updated on what their pets have been up to, and send a picture or two for bonus points.
Problem-solving
There may come a time when you cannot reach your clients despite your best efforts. In this case, you must be proactive and solve challenges alone.
Decision-making
When your clients are away, you’re in charge of making decisions about their pets’ care. You will have to decide when to contact the owner for guidance or when to take the pet to the vet. For example, a cat you’re pet-sitting may be yowling in pain, so you will need to decide whether to take them to the vet.
Trustworthy
If you provide care for your client’s pets in their home, you need to prove you’re trustworthy. Your clients will trust you with their homes and beloved pets, so you must act with integrity and competence.
Final Thoughts
Pet sitting is rewarding and fulfilling, but it isn’t easy. So many things can go wrong while your clients are away, and you’ll be solely responsible for their beloved furry family members. It is a big job with many responsibilities, but pet sitting will always be in high demand, so you’ll always have work once you build a client base.
See also:How to Start a Pet-Sitting Business in 11 Steps
Featured Image Credit: Verin, Shutterstock
