Craigslist Dog Sitter (2024)

FAQs

How do I ask for more money for pet sitting? ›

Be straight with them. Explain that your rate was set based on a typical one/two dog sitting assignment, but if you're going to take on that much extra responsibility, you're going to have to charge an additional fee If they agree, work with them to come up with a fair rate and adjust the price on the reservation..

Generally speaking, if you get this side hustle going, you can make quite a profit. If you can reserve 3 dogs, that works up to $100 every day, which is a lot of money. Some of the local rates range from $25 to $35 per night.

Cons of being a full-time dog walker

Inconsistent pay. Dog walkers don't get a fixed salary, so they'll have to save and spend their money better. Difficult clients. Pet parents can be very picky about their pets, which can cause problems between the pet walker and the client.

Get ready for the meet-and-greet

You may even want to ask a candidate to do a trial walk to see how they handle your dog. Don't forget to ask for credentials such as references and copies of their bonding and license. You might also want to get a criminal background check.

Prices vary depending on the sitter's proximity to the pet owner and whether the pet has to be picked up or left off. If you have more than one dog or pet, pay $10 for each additional dog or pet. Pet sitters often charge $25 for a 30-minute visit, $20 to $30 a day, $45 to $75 per night, or $250 to $375 per week.

If you decide to pay your friends to pet sit, a fair rate of pay is 40-50% of what you would pay a professional service. For example, a quick 15-minute drop-in visit would equal about $9 – $14 per visit.

To calculate the dog sitting rate, multiply the number of hours per day by the number of days and divide the total cost by the computed number. In this case, dividing 100 by 10 equals $10 per hour.

If you have always loved animals, a side hustle you should consider is being a pet sitter. Pet sitting doesn't just have to be a side hustle, although it may start that way. With enough pet sitting bookings on your calendar, you could find yourself making a pretty solid income.

Low start-up costs: Becoming a pet sitter doesn't cost as much money as some other businesses. Also, as soon as you get your first client, you'll start making money. A lot of your new business will probably come from word of mouth, which is great because it keeps your advertising costs low.

It's normal for dogs to be anxious and hesitant in a new environment. The first time you leave them at day care, you can expect your pet to feel uncertain, confused and a little sad.

Is pet sitting stressful? ›

Understand that as a pet sitter, you are going to have times that you feel overwhelmed, stressed out or just dog-tired…it's normal! But, always keep in mind why you began pet sitting in the first place. Most likely, your love for animal and desire to be your own boss were driving factors.

Scratches and bites are risks of the job when pet sitting, but these pet-related injuries are often preventable. Watch your furry clients for signs of fear or aggression. Cowering, fur-raising, tail tucking, and snarling are all signs that you need to back away and leave them be.

Rover will not reimburse you for theft. Lock up your valuables and set up cameras if you worry about your property.

Dogs will remember a human days, weeks, months or even YEARS. When a pup combines their ability to remember scents, facial recognition, and voice recognition- even after one meeting- it is quite extensive. We have clients that only book every 6 months- and those pups are SO happy to see their pet sitter.

You should always tip your Pet Caregiver, but how much should you tip? You should tip your Pet Caregiver anywhere from 10% to 25% of the overall cost of a service, just as you would with any other service job. You could even tip more than 25% if your dog walker, sitter, or boarder has gone above and beyond.

In general, most cat sitters charge £8 to £15 for a once-daily home visit or £12 to £25 to drop in twice a day. Cat sitters usually charge £15 to £50 for overnight cat sitting stays.

While you don't need to pay a friend or family member as much as you would someone hired from the outside, offering fair compensation is the right thing to do. After all, showing mutual respect is a huge part of maintaining long-lasting relationships, so do your part to treat your loved ones well.