Build trust, create impact, and earn on your terms — start your pet sitting business
The pet sitting business is in demand because of two main reasons:
- Fast-paced urban lifestyles (Clients search and reach to you)
- Increase in pet ownership (More pets mean more owners needing help)
For these reasons, choosing a pet sitting business as a career is perfect for students, stay-at-home parents, retired professionals, or anyone who prefers local gigs over 9-to-5 jobs. Besides, the business model is highly flexible because
- You can set your hours
- Choose your clients
- Offer services that fit your schedule
And the best thing: you don’t need a fancy office or a huge investment to start a pet sitting business. All you need is the right knowledge, clear planning, and commitment.
Interested in learning more about how to start a pet sitting business?
This guide is for you! It will help you focus on what works best to start a pet sitting business. Follow these steps and you are good to go!
Define Your Pet Sitting Services
Pet sitters offer various services, including pet walking, hiking, vacation care, playtime, and a lot more. Start by deciding what pet sitting services you’re ready to handle and what business model you will opt for.
For example, will you offer drop-in visits? Are you open to overnight stays? Or will you offer dog walking, medication administration, or vacation care? Choose services that match your availability, confidence with different species, and physical capability.
Also, check local demand — urban areas often need quick daily visits, while suburbs may lean toward longer stays. Define what’s included in each service — like visit length, pet types handled, or add-ons. Why? Being specific helps clients understand exactly what they’re booking and builds trust from day one.
Study Your Local Market
Having decided your niche for pet sitting, explore the local area. To achieve the best results, focus on two main things:
- Know your target audience (Who they are and what they need)
- Analyze the competition (What other pet sitter near you charge and offer)
This will help you find your niche gaps, set pricing, offer exclusive services, and build your unique brand voice.
Create a Business Plan for Your Pet Sitting Services
Create a simple but focused business plan that outlines your pet sitting goals for the next 6 to 12 months. For example:
- Define what services you’ll offer — like daily drop-ins, overnight stays, or specialized care for senior dogs or cats.
- Add your pricing structure, how you plan to charge (hourly, per visit, or pet), and any package deals or loyalty programs.
- Include your target audience—busy professionals, traveling families, or senior pet owners — and your service area (e.g., specific neighborhoods or zip codes).
- Lay out a basic marketing plan, like promoting through local Facebook groups, vet clinics, pet stores, or platforms like PETBIZS.
- Set realistic financial goals, such as how many bookings per week you need to break even or hit a monthly income target.
- If you plan to expand — like hiring part-time help or offering pet taxi services — note that in a growth section.
Your business plan doesn’t need to be long or complicated. Just enough to keep your vision clear and organized. This document also comes in handy when applying for pet business insurance, small business grants, or collaborating with groomers, trainers, or boarding facilities.
Choose a Business Name and Register
Pick a business name that reflects your niche. Select a short, clear, and memorable name — like Katie’s Kitty Inc. or NYC Dog Walkers. Avoid complex words or generic phrases that won’t stand out.
Once you’ve finalized the name, do the following:
- Check its availability on your state’s business registry
- Register your business with local authorities
- Obtain a DBA (Doing Business As), EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, or a business license depending on your state or city
Remember, a properly registered business builds credibility, protects your brand, and helps you open a business bank account, apply for insurance, or file taxes without stress.
Set Your Pricing Structure
Build your pricing based on specific factors like
- Service type (drop-in, overnight, or walking
- Visit length (15, 30, or 60 minutes)
- The number or type of pets
For example, a 30-minute dog walk might start at $20, while an overnight stay for two pets could range from $60 to $80. Add extra charges for giving medication, handling aggressive pets, or caring for special pets like reptiles or birds.
Always research local competitors to stay competitive. Be upfront about your rates and what’s included: feeding, waste cleanup, playtime, etc.
You may also offer discounted packages for weekly bookings, multi-pets, or recurring clients, such as five walks a week at a bundled price. Use simple pricing charts on your website or brochure, and clearly explain cancellation, holiday, and late booking fees.
Transparent pricing not only saves time but also builds client trust and prevents awkward conversations later.
Create Service Agreements for Your Pet Sitting Business
Draft a detailed service agreement for every client before starting your pet sitting business. This can include
- The scope of services, like visit frequency, duration, and tasks (feeding, walking, medication, etc.)
- Specific care instructions for each pet — diet, habits, allergies, behavioral issues, or support needs.
- A clear cancellation and refund policy — for example, full refund if canceled 48 hours in advance, partial refund within 24 hours, or no refund for same-day cancellations.
- Your emergency procedures, including how you’ll handle medical issues, vet visits, and client communication.
- Emergency contacts and pre-authorized vet release forms.
- Your payment terms, such as advance payments, accepted methods (cash, bank transfer, or apps, late fees, and invoice frequency.
- A liability waiver that explains what you’re responsible for — and what you’re not, such as pre-existing pet health issues or damages caused by the pet during your service.
While crafting this service agreement, keep the tone professional but easy to understand. Share the agreement digitally or in print and require client signatures before the first booking. These contracts protect your business, help avoid misunderstandings, and show clients that you operate with professionalism and care.
Build Your Offline & Online Presence
Building offline and online presence for your pet sitting business is a must. Without this, think you are no where. Follow these simple steps to boost your business’s presence:
- Set up a simple, mobile-friendly website with a clear service list, rates, location coverage, and an easy contact or booking form. Include real photos of pets you’ve cared for (with permission), client testimonials, and a short “About Me” section to build trust.
- List your business on trusted pet care platforms like PETBIZS, Rover, and Wag!. These boost visibility and help build early client reviews.
- Create professional social media profiles — especially on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok — to share pet care tips, behind-the-scenes videos, happy client shoutouts, and educational content like how to prep for a pet sitter.
- For offline, print business cards and flyers with a QR code linking to your website. Leave them at local vet clinics, pet supply stores, dog parks, cafes, and bulletin boards in your neighborhood. Attend local pet events to introduce your services and build community trust.
Remember, consistency is key — use the same logo, tone, and business name across all platforms. A strong online and offline presence builds credibility, attracts more leads, and keeps you top of mind when someone needs a reliable pet sitter.
Start Local and Build Trust
Your pet sitting business is new and you need to build trust to onboard customers. Well, this might seem difficult but don’t worry… Follow these steps to scale your business:
- Begin by offering your pet sitting services to people you already know — friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers with pets.
- Volunteer for short-term gigs like weekend care or last-minute walks to build experience.
- Join local community groups on Facebook, WhatsApp, or Nextdoor, and introduce yourself with a short post that explains what you do, the areas you serve, and how to book with you.
- Ask happy clients to leave honest reviews on your website, Google Business Profile, or platforms like PETBIZS.
- A few 5-star testimonials with photos can boost credibility fast. Encourage word-of-mouth by offering a small referral discount or free visit for anyone who brings in a new client.
- Be consistent, punctual, and communicative with every job. Update clients with messages, photos, or short videos during each visit.
Final Words!
Starting your pet sitting business means much more than just walking dogs or feeding cats. It’s about building real trust with your community, showing up when others can’t, and creating a service people genuinely rely on.
This guide laid out every major step — from choosing your services to setting prices, writing contracts, and building both an online and local presence. These are not just checkboxes. They are your Launchpad.
Remember, you don’t need a storefront or years of experience. What you need is focus, consistency, and a willingness to grow. Most successful pet sitters began with one client — a neighbor, a friend, or someone from the same Facebook group — and expanded through reliability and word-of-mouth. So, take that first step. Post your services, talk to a neighbor, set your rates, and create a contract.
Use this guide, commit to the process, and turn your love for animals into a flexible income stream you control. You’re not just offering pet care — you’re building your name.