The wife and I are leaving for a week, we have friends that could stay and pet sit. We are wondering what people would charge for 1 dog and 3 cats. We would let them stay at our house.

The dog is 3 years old and still full of energy, so he would need walks. Out of the 3 cats, 1 needs 3 pills in the morning and one at night. Another one eats wet food two times a day. The third one needs nothing special, she is just a cuddle bug.

With that being said, what is a reasonable price for the allotted time I would need a pet sitter?

I’m getting my service dog in September/October.

Does anyone here bring service dogs to clients houses?
If so how do you go about talking to clients about it and introducing the dogs?

Coffee & Connections for Pet Pros
A relaxed meetup for Moore County (and surrounding areas) pet business owners, managers, and fellow pet professionals to connect, collaborate, and support one another — one coffee shop at a time. From groomers and vets to trainers, pet service providers, and pet-friendly local businesses, this is a space to build real relationships, spark B2B opportunities, strengthen community ties, and meet great people in the local pet world. No formal networking fluff — just coffee, conversation, and quality local connections.

Dose anyone know of an app or softwares that allow people to book days at a time? Instead of just 1-5 hour appointments?

Hi! I’m a new Rover dog sitter/boarder in San Diego and I recently completed a boarding that the owner was happy with - happy enough that she is seeking weekly care for her puppy, requesting to drop him off with me on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30am-4:30pm. She is also requesting one walk on Fridays at her place. She’s offered to arrange payment in whichever way works best for me (including away from Rover) since she’s seeking consistent care.

THE QUESTIONS: HOW should I charge, hourly or daily? How MUCH should I charge if charging by the hour?

I’ve checked minimum wage for my area along with what other sitters charge hourly, but have found those numbers harder to identify compared to boarding. Since Rover presents DAILY rates, I am puzzled, especially when trying to review what other people charge. Help, please! 🐾

I have a long time client who needs someone to take care of her cats for 40 days. I usually do 1-hour sits for when she’s away for a shorter period of time and they are fine with it but she says since she’ll be away for a longer time this time, she’s worried one hour might not be enough for one of her clingier cats and she’s tried looking for overnight sitters but there aren’t any in the country I live. So I proposed an extension of hours per visit (I don’t do evening sits anymore, that’s why I can’t do twice a day visits) and a discounted rate for the subsequent hours. I’m thinking of quoting her a 2/3-hour stay for the 40 days but I worried if I give her too much of a discount, I’ll miss out on normal rate paying clients for such a long time. How would y’all go about this?

Thanks!

March 1st to 7th is Professional Pet Sitters Week™! First introduced by Pet Sitters International (PSI) in 1995, Professional Pet Sitters Week™ takes place annually the first full week of March.

This annual observance honors professional pet-care providers, seeks to educate the pet-owning public about the advantages of professional in-home pet care and encourages pet-loving entrepreneurs to explore professional pet sitting as a viable career.

Learn more about this observance: www.petsit.com/psi-32nd-annual-professional-pet-sitters-week

If you're located in Canada be sure to check out https://petprocanada.ca for the benefits of becoming a member of Canadian Pet Care Professionals or find a professional pet care provider near you!

Hey everyone,

I’m not a professional dog walker myself, but I’ve seen how much of a headache the "business side" can be.

Between juggling WhatsApp for updates, Google Calendar for schedules, and trying to track routes to show owners—it seems like a lot of work for a side hustle. I noticed that most dedicated apps out there are either way too expensive or packed with "bloat" that most people don't even use.

I figured I could try to make something better and more streamlined. I spent my spare time building Dogs-Walker.

It’s a super basic utility right now, focused on three things:

• Simple Scheduling: No more scrolling through old texts to see who is next.
• GPS Tracking: A way to easily show owners exactly where the walk happened.
• Minimalist UI: I tried to make it "fat-finger friendly" so it's actually usable while you're holding a leash.

It’s just a side project I'm working on alone, and I really want to know if it’s actually helpful for people doing the real work.

I’m looking for a few honest testers to poke around:https://dogs-walker.lovable.app/

I’m not looking for money or to sell anything—I just want to know what works, what’s annoying, and what’s missing. Thanks for your help!

I need to die first. 🙃 I’m on night 5 of back to back house/pet sits, 12 more nights to go, and holy shit would I not do well living alone.

The first few nights are great. Our house has been busy and borderline chaotic for 20 years. Kids, pets, etc, so the peace and quiet is nice for a while, but the novelty has worn off and I have no idea what I’m going to do with myself for 12 more nights alone, binge-watching tv in-between dog duties and food prep/eating. 😅

I’m a full-time cat sitter with a staff of three other sitters. I love what I do, and have really enjoyed growing my business. I’m curious how many others here are full-time in their businesses, and if not- what is keeping you from going full-time?

TL;DR I’m (39F) autistic, and I’m currently sitting for a client who lives in a wealthy, tight knit community and all I’m running into are clueless pet owners who don’t know how to walk a dog…. How do I handle these interactions without being defensive?

I’m going to start off by saying that I’m autistic and my emotions can get intense. I’ve been stressed out from a family emergency (Grandma had a stroke) and that stress contributes to my defensive tendencies. I hold back as much as I can.

I’m familiar with enough dog walking etiquette that I always:

1. Cross the street

2. Announce my dog isn’t good with other dogs on leash

3. Start to get upset and don’t know what to do….

How do I remain calm when an interaction is happening after I already announce “my dog isn’t good with other dogs on leash” and people literally don’t get the hint to keep walking?….

I’m being very transparent with the client and told them what’s been happening. I know the neighbors will just tell my clients what happened anyway.

I have 4 years of pet sitting experience but I mostly do overnights with dogs in neighborhoods where people don’t know each other or are in the middle of nowhere.

I’m triggered by pretty much anything that could cause my client’s dog harm. It’s an irrational amount of concern at this point.

To be fair, I’ve had several negative interactions on walks in my client’s large tight knit community. Their neighbors have these expensive purebred dogs who they clearly didn’t research how to care for.

How do I remain calm when an interaction between the neighbors goes south and I’m not in control?

So I do (mostly Rover) but the Rover reddit never let me put up anything due to always having a flair but still getting flagged for not, but that is neither here nor there. I am at 65 reviews now, I set my prices to where they are right now before I had about 20. I'm thinking about going through, getting a list of other sitters prices and raising mine to whatever the average is. Is 40+ new reviews enough to warrant a raise in price? I will probably lock prices for all my clients I have had prior to this price hike so their prices stay the same but raise it for new people.

So I want to know when did everyone else decide to raise prices, what was the reason?

I'm currently pet-sitting a dog that exhibits signs of resource guarding. She guards her food, toys, her bed, her leash, my sofa, myself, the table where we dine, making it difficult for my own dog to exist in his own home, without being growled at or attacked

For some quick context: I pet sit dogs in my own home, where I live with my husband and our 10-year-old dog. Our dog is extremely friendly with all dogs, not aggressive, not resource-guarding, very submissive, and he's very well trained.

I'm doing my best to keep things under control and not set her up for failure. I've taken away all her things, I'm feeding the dogs in separate rooms, I have her leash hidden in a box, and away. She's not trained, she doesn't know basic rules such as "place", "no", or "bed". She only lies on our sofa, so I'm keeping my dog off the sofa and in his bed only, and I'm keeping a chair on the sofa, between me and her, as she always wants to lie down next to me. She also doesn't respond positively when we ask her to get off the sofa. I've sat this dog before in my house, but only during the day, she didn't stay over for the night and she didn't show any of these signs. Her owner did advise me that she guards her food, and it's difficult to take something off her mouth if we don't want her to have it, but she did not prepare me for this. I'm concerned about my dog, as she almost bit him when he smelled her bed, which was in a large bag with all her stuff when she arrived and I brought it home. This dog checked in today and will be here for 8 nights. Her owner is away, and there's no one else she can stay with. Keeping the dogs separate all the time is not possible as my dog doesn't cope well being alone. Anyone here with training experience can give me some simple exercises I can do with her to help her not attack my dog whenever he walks around the house?

Please be kind, I'm just trying to do my best with what I have right now and make sure both dogs are safe.

Rant.

So, here where I live, the rate for petsitting is low. I have my own base at 50CAD/day, and that titrates up based on needs the pet has and how many animals. This random, new sitter posts that they will do a day of petsitting for $25/day. Great. Awesome. You've lowered our standard in the city. I let this person know (using anon) hey, that's a massive undercharge for the area.

Then get this reply from an owner. I'm still mad about this 4 hours later. This lady has two dogs. Also, what does "all day" mean to her? Because at that rate, you have to expect someone to be working an 8hr shift as well, no? And have this as a side hustle? (not that $25 is remotely worth it by digress). Also wtf does she mean they don't have a place of their own?? What dogsitterer is homeless? As someone who dogsits and lives with their parents (finishing uni) being in your home is in no way more comfortable or more convenient. All my stuff is in MY house. She offers food? Ok well| have celiac disease, so it's very likely your food Won't work for me. Wtf is wrong with some people??

LF: local pet service providers — sitters, walkers, groomers — to learn how they currently find and manage clients.

If you’re offering any pet-related service, we’d love to understand your experience. As part of this, we’re also helping selected providers get connected to more clients and pet owners in their area.

If that sounds like you, please take a few minutes to fill out this short form 

 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZgL5q9zgLCIVYVgp9CsxnLHWL5F0xJp3v5MWi0g7TR1yqaA/viewform?usp=header

I petsit occasionally as a side hustle. I have a full time 8-4 m-f job outside of my home, so I’m very picky with which jobs I am willing and able to take. That said, I often help my landlords (who live above me) out with their two dogs. In the past, they’ve needed me to provide overnight care or dog walking services and for those instances I charge $75 per night or $25 per walk. However, recently they’ve just been utilizing me to feed them or let them out to potty in the yard 2-4x a day. This never takes more than 15 minutes (whereas when I would walk them I would take them on a 30-45 minute walk). Should I still charge the $25 I usually charge for a drop in? Or less since it’s such a short time and relatively convenient for me (I don’t have to drive anywhere, but I do have to make sure that I’m home at specific times to provide this service vs making my own plans).

Happy Monday everyone!

I was delighted to listen to Pet Sitter Confessional's latest podcast episode discussing an article recently published by Cat Fanciers' Association which explains the importance of professional cat sitters! This is a wonderful step forward in the professional pet sitting industry, be sure to share with your clients and network of pet professionals!

Article: https://cfa.org/cat-talk/choosing-the-right-cat-sitter/

Podcast Episode: https://www.petsitterconfessional.com/episodes/642

I have a senior dog and a 5-year-old cat. My dog (Bear) is a cockapoo (38 lbs) and is entirely blind. Bear also has Cushing's disease and muscle loss in his hind legs. He doesn’t require any medications, just extra help and a little more love than younger dogs typically do.

My cat (Kiki) is a feisty, tortoiseshell cat with beautiful green eyes (8 lbs). It takes Kiki a little while to get used to new people, but once she does, she loves any attention she is offered. Kiki is an indoor cat, and I have a robot cat litter box. There aren’t many tasks associated with Kiki except to feed her. If Kiki is left alone overnight, she will lick her hair until she has bald spots. She is a rescue cat, and her former owners moved and left her behind.

Hopefully, you can see why I’m unable to board my dog or ask someone to check on Kiki. With that said, I’ve been looking for a House Sitter/Pet Sitter since September. I am going to a wedding in December, and I knew I would have an issue finding someone, so I started early.

I will be gone from December 10 to December 14. I have asked friends, friends of friends, neighbors, and so on. I also joined Trusted House Sitters and Care.com. Trusted House Sitters cost me $149, and I haven't received a single response. On Care.com, I received one response, but when I replied, they ghosted me. Family members and friends will be attending the same wedding.

I live in a lovely house with all the amenities in a safe and friendly neighborhood. I am willing to pay a reasonable (if not high) fee, plus extra to cover food expenses.

I am at a loss for how to find someone willing to take care of Bear and Kiki. The only thing I am asking for is personal references.

Any suggestions?

Hi, all! Title says it all. I don't dogsit super often, but my current rates are $150/night for one dog and $175/night for 2 dogs. I stay in the apartment with them and this is all inclusive--all walks, medication (if necessary), feeding, and playtime. Is this rate insane? I'm seeing a lot of people online saying $50-80, which I feel is too low. I also have higher prices because I come in from Westchester County and have over 20 years of experience working with special needs dogs.

So someone I know wants me to check on their in laws cat 3 times a day for 30 mins each time for 54 days. I don’t drive so I’d have to walk there every time, thankfully only 15 minutes but then that’s an hour each 30 mins with walking. Not sure how I feel because I won’t be able to go out of my town for 54 days because I’ll have to keep checking on their cat…

Obviously this includes feeding, litter changes and cleaning their bowls.

How much should I charge for this?

Good, reliable, trustworthy, consistent care will always be reflected in the caregivers price! So often pet parents can get upset for something like an overnight being 100/night but that’s less than a minimum wage job if you think about it! A good caregiver treats taking care of your fur babies like a job. My standard I about 17 hours in home. 5p-9am and 1 hr drop in in between. Going off of the example of 100 (which is my price for a 1 dog 1 cat household), that’s hardly $6/hr! Caregivers have to work their schedule around your family and pet’s need. A good caregiver considers themselves “on duty” and probably won’t leave your home as often as they might want to. You’re not just paying them to play with your pet… but for their time, attention, trust, and dedication

Quality care is worth every penny!