Pet ownership in the United States has grown steadily, and with it the demand for reliable pet care while owners travel or work long hours. Dog walking and pet sitting sit in a comfortable spot for people looking for side income: the work is straightforward, clients tend to be loyal once you establish trust, the hours are flexible, and the pay has risen meaningfully in recent years. Experienced pet sitters in larger markets can charge $25 to $50 per visit and $50 to $100 per night of boarding.
App-based platforms versus building your own client base
Rover and Wag are the two largest platforms connecting pet sitters with clients. They handle payment processing, provide some liability coverage, and give you access to clients who are already looking for pet care. The trade-off is that the platform takes a percentage of each booking, typically 15 to 25 percent on Rover. Building your own client base through word of mouth and local referrals takes longer but lets you keep the full rate. Many people start on Rover to build reviews and clients and gradually transition to direct bookings over time.
Setting your rates
Search your local area on Rover before setting your rates to see what experienced sitters with reviews are charging. Your rates when you are new should be slightly below the local average to attract initial clients and build reviews, but not so low that clients question whether you are reliable. As you accumulate positive reviews and repeat clients, raising rates to market level is both justified and expected. Clients who valued your service tend to stay even through modest rate increases.
What clients actually care about
Pet owners who trust someone with their animal are primarily paying for peace of mind rather than a commodity service. Responding to messages promptly, sending photo updates during visits, showing up on time, and being reliably communicative builds the kind of trust that generates repeat bookings and referrals. These habits cost nothing and differentiate you from sitters who do the minimum. A reputation for being genuinely attentive and communicative compounds into a full client roster faster than almost any marketing would.
Be honest about what you can handle
Not all pets and not all care requests are the same. Being clear in your profile and initial conversations about what animals you work with, what services you offer, whether your home can board animals if you offer in-home boarding, and any limitations you have around dog sizes or behavioral issues prevents situations where you are in over your head. A client whose dog you cannot actually manage is a liability and a bad review, not an income opportunity.
Track your income and set aside taxes
Pet sitting income, whether through a platform or directly from clients, is self-employment income and is subject to both income tax and self-employment tax. Setting aside 25 to 30 percent of earnings into a separate account from the start prevents a tax bill surprise. If you use your personal vehicle for dog walking or to drive to client homes, those miles are deductible, so tracking mileage from the beginning is worthwhile.