How To Become a Pet Sitter in 2023 (5 Simple Steps)

Do you wish to get free lodging in your subsequent trip? Or are you searching for methods to make further money? Maybe you’re a digital nomad looking for methods to scale back housing prices. In that case, it’s time to discover ways to grow to be a pet sitter.

Pet sitting means that you can receives a commission (in cash or lodging) in change for taking good care of lovable animals. It’s actually a win-win state of affairs. With loads of gigs obtainable globally, pet sitting is a good way to journey.

I’ve pet sat all over the world; I spent per week taking care of a Husky combine in Glasgow, a month and a half with a Frenchie in Tokyo, a couple of weeks with a rescue cat in Brussels, and weeks with a Saluki in Kobe. It’s by far my favourite strategy to journey.

On this article, I’ll share the necessities to grow to be a pet sitter, how yow will discover work, how a lot pet sitters receives a commission, and extra.

What’s a Pet Sitter?

Firstly, earlier than we get into how one can grow to be a pet sitter, it’s possible you’ll be questioning what a pet sitter is, and what the distinction is between a pet sitter and a home sitter.

Pet sitters take care of somebody’s pet whereas they’re away. This often entails staying on the pet proprietor’s house, however this isn’t all the time the case; it will possibly additionally embody dropping in to test on the pets, enjoying with them, checking the cat litter, or strolling the canines.

Pet sitting can even embody letting the animals keep at your individual house, however this requires a safe and protected set-up. Whatever the particulars, pet sitter duties usually contain offering the animals with security, meals, water, affection, and playtime.

In distinction, home sitters take care of somebody’s house whereas they’re away; this nearly all the time includes staying on the property. Their duties can embody taking good care of a pet, nevertheless it additionally contains watering the vegetation, conserving issues clear, and taking care of the backyard.

I’ve expertise with each home sitting with a pet and pet sitting solely (the place I dropped in to test on an animal). Each sorts of jobs have execs and cons however the principle distinction is that though you get free lodging with home sitting, you’re extra prone to receives a commission as a pet sitter.

Now that we’ve established what pet sitters and home sitters are, let’s get into how one can begin pet sitting.

Necessities to Turn out to be a Pet Sitter

If you happen to’re questioning how one can grow to be a pet sitter with out a diploma, it’s possible you’ll be asking what certifications, programs, or abilities you want in an effort to be up for the job.

Fortunately, most purchasers don’t require you to have any official pet sitting certifications or programs, nevertheless, there are some experiences and traits which can be important for thriving as a pet sitter, together with:

Expertise with Animal Care: To be able to safe pet sitting gigs, you need to emphasize your previous experiences with pet care. This contains feeding, strolling, cleansing, grooming, and enjoying with pets. If you happen to’ve by no means owned any pets earlier than, you possibly can achieve some helpful expertise by pet sitting to your mates or volunteering at an area veterinary clinic.

A Love for Animals: If you happen to’re right here to be taught to be a pet sitter, I think about you have already got a robust love for animals! Pet house owners like to see their pet sitters have a transparent and apparent affection for his or her beloved animals.

Accountable and Reliable: Some of the vital traits that pet house owners are searching for of their pet sitters is duty. They’re leaving their treasured animals and residential within the care of a stranger, they usually want to have the ability to belief their pet sitters utterly.

Versatile: To be able to work as a pet sitter, it’s important to be versatile. The pet proprietor could have a last-minute request or your in a single day pet sitting dates could get modified and even canceled and so flexibility is vital to thriving as a pet sitter.

Nice at Speaking: Pet house owners love receiving frequent updates on how their beloved pets are doing, so being an amazing communicator is crucial. From private expertise, I discovered that pet house owners particularly love receiving photographs of their cats enjoying or canines out on walks, because it reveals that they’re having a good time and are completely satisfied. Being a superb communicator can be required if and when emergencies or issues come up.

(Non-compulsory) Pet Sitting Certification: Having a pet sitting certification positively isn’t a requirement. I’ve been pet sitting for years with out one. Nonetheless, it will possibly actually improve your credibility as an expert, so it’s nice for these severe a couple of profession in pet sitting. Some certifications embody the NAPPS and the CPPS.

(Non-compulsory) Pet First Assist Course: Whereas taking and passing a pet first help course isn’t important if you wish to work as a pet sitter, it’s a good way to extend your credibility and reliability, which in return, could make it simpler to search out purchasers.

I pet sat for 2 years earlier than I obtained my pet first help certification, so don’t really feel pressured to get it immediately. That being mentioned, having the certification elevated my odds of securing new purchasers, and it made me extra snug with caring for pets with medical points.

Find out how to Turn out to be a Pet Sitter (5 Steps)

Now that we’ve gone over the necessities of turning into a pet sitter, let’s get into the 5 final steps on how one can get your first pet sitting place.

These steps will allow you to safe new purchasers no matter whether or not you’re a brand new or skilled pet sitter. The following tips have helped me get pet sitting gigs all over the world, together with constant canine sitting jobs in Vancouver and home sitting gigs in Japan.

I’ve each confidence that these steps will allow you to discover constant pet sitting jobs as nicely.

1. Be part of A number of Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Web sites

To begin with, in an effort to discover pet sitting jobs regionally and all over the world, it’s important to be part of a number of home/pet sitting web sites.

Fortunately, there are numerous web sites to select from. Some decisions embody Trusted Housesitters (use this hyperlink to get 20% off), Nomador, MindMyHouse, Home Sitters America, Home Sitters Canada, and Home Carers. Try the subsequent part to be taught extra about one of the best pet sitting web sites.

Alternatively, for those who’re questioning how one can grow to be a canine sitter in your individual metropolis, you possibly can search for native jobs on web sites reminiscent of Certainly, ZipRecruiter, and Rover.

Once I first began out as a pet sitter, I used to be primarily thinking about discovering free lodging whereas touring. I solely used Trusted Housesitters to search out pet sitting gigs, and due to it being the most important pet sitting platform on-line, it was simple for me to search out alternatives.

Nonetheless, I discover that it’s simpler to search out paid pet sitting jobs regionally. General, it’s greatest to make use of many alternative web sites to increase your choices. Click on right here to enroll with Trusted Housesitters and obtain 20% off the membership price.

2. Create the Excellent Profile

When you’ve joined a pet sitting web site or two, it’s time to arrange the proper profile.

In the beginning, be certain that your profile is well-written and error-free, as this may convey your professionalism. Nonetheless, don’t neglect to incorporate a bit of character.

Speak about your earlier pet care expertise, abilities, and why you’re thinking about pet sitting. Embody any testimonials or previous pet sitting critiques (for those who’re a complete beginner, get some references from mates or co-workers; see step 3!). And don’t neglect to incorporate some photographs of you with some lovable animals.

Keep in mind to focus in your strengths. I all the time emphasize my expertise, duty, and love for animals in my profile. If you happen to’ve taken any pet first help programs or certifications, be sure you spotlight them.

3. Safe Your References

Subsequent, it’s time to safe your references. That is a very powerful a part of getting began as a pet sitter, as having previous references, critiques, and testimonials makes you appear extra reliable and reliable.

If you happen to’re questioning how one can grow to be a pet sitter with none expertise, you possibly can all the time search for some native alternatives. Pet sit to your mates or household, discover native job postings, or provide to stroll your neighbor’s canine and easily ask the house owners to write down a assessment afterward.

You can even ask for some character references from your pals, household, or employers. Once I first began pet sitting, I requested my outdated boss to write down me a reference to focus on my reliability and duty.

General, no matter whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled pet sitter, it’s important to incorporate references and critiques to construct belief with potential purchasers.

4. Discover and Apply for the Greatest Jobs

So, you’ve joined a couple of pet sitting web sites, written a killer profile, and included your prime references. Now, it’s time to seek for your good pet sitting job.

Most home sitting web sites will let you specify your search to locations, dates, size of keep, and species of animals. Many pet sitting web sites may even allow you to specify the kind of job, reminiscent of home sitting with pets, drop-in visits, or canine strolling.

After you’ve discovered and browse by some nice pet sitting job listings, it’s time to use to them. To take action, you’ll must ship the pet house owners an interesting and informative software message.

Introduce your self, discuss their pets, spotlight your previous related expertise, and clarify why you’re the best selection for them. Be sure that to ask some questions concerning the job itemizing (and particularly, their furry member of the family), and finish the message by saying that you just’d love the chance to interview.

I all the time prefer to tailor my software message to the itemizing; I point out their pet’s identify usually, and I emphasize my earlier related pet care expertise. For instance, if the job itemizing is for a timid feline, I spotlight my expertise taking good care of nervous and shy rescue cats.

5. Put together to your Interview

After the pet house owners have thought of all their purposes, and in the event that they really feel you possibly can be a superb match, they’re prone to attain out and ask for those who’re thinking about an interview. You’re one step nearer to securing a pet sitting job. All it’s important to do is ace the interview.

So, what’s one of the simplest ways to arrange for these pet sitting interviews? I prefer to go over the job itemizing and observe something vital that they may deliver up.

Do the pets have any well being points or behavioral issues? In that case, be ready to reply questions in your comfortability and expertise with all these pets.

Whereas the questions and tone of the interview fluctuate per pet proprietor, some customary questions embody:

• Why are you interested by pet sitting for us?
• What’s your earlier expertise with canines/cats/different animals?
• What are you planning on doing through the pet sit?
• If you happen to’re touring from abroad, what are your journey plans like?

And keep in mind, don’t beat your self up for those who don’t get the job in the long run. Pet sitting will be aggressive! Hold making use of, and also you’ll ultimately land the proper pet sitting gig.

Whether or not you’re questioning how one can grow to be an authorized pet sitter otherwise you’re hoping to safe some home sitting gigs to your subsequent prolonged trip, these 5 ideas are one of the best steps to get began.

Find out how to Discover Work as a Pet Sitter

Now that we’ve gone over how one can grow to be a canine sitter and how one can grow to be a cat sitter, let’s increase on the place to search out work as a pet sitter.

These are the 5 greatest web sites to search out pet sitting gigs:

1. Trusted Housesitters

If you happen to’re turning into a pet sitter within the hope you’ll get free lodging abroad, then it’s important to use Trusted Housesitters. The largest pet sitting platform obtainable, Trusted Housesitters means that you can discover an abundance of home sitting alternatives all over the world.

With a 24/7 vet hotline, nice customer support, and an easy-to-navigate web site, Trusted Housesitters is likely one of the greatest pet sitting web sites on the market. Nonetheless, you do need to pay an annual membership price to entry Trusted Housesitters’ plethora of alternatives; it prices $129 per 12 months.

I personally prefer to view this membership price as a small funding; I pay $129 upfront, nevertheless it saves me hundreds of {dollars} on lodging a 12 months. I’ve used Trusted Housesitters to journey to international locations like Japan, the UK, and Belgium on a price range, so it’s positively price it.

Goats On The Highway readers obtain an computerized 20% off the price of the membership price with Trusted Housesitters. Use this hyperlink for the low cost and particulars.

2. Rover

If you happen to’re thinking about getting paid to pet sit regionally, then I like to recommend you try Rover. A web site the place you possibly can checklist your pet sitting providers like home sitting, pet boarding, canine strolling, doggy daycare, and drop-in visits; it’s one of the simplest ways to earn a living as a pet sitter.

Rover enables you to get began at no cost, however they take a share of your wage out of your bookings. They provide 24/7 help (which incorporates vet help), the Rover Assure (which incorporates reimbursement for up $25,000 price of vet charges), and offer you entry to an abundance of potential purchasers – it’s price looking.

3. Nomador

For these nonetheless questioning how one can grow to be a pet sitter, Nomador is likely one of the greatest web sites to get began.

Crammed with worldwide home sitting alternatives, it’s the proper platform for vacationers and digital nomads. It does, nevertheless, has a membership price of $85 per 12 months.

4. MindMyHouse

Much like Nomador and Trusted Housesitters, MindMyHouse is a world home sitting web site that’s good for these trying to grow to be a pet sitter.

With an easy-to-use web site and many pet sitting alternatives, MindMyHouse is a good way to get began. It’s additionally one of many cheaper choices obtainable and prices simply $29 per 12 months.

5. Native Job Listings on Certainly or ZipRecruiter

Lastly, top-of-the-line methods to search out paid native pet sitting jobs is on job platforms reminiscent of Certainly or ZipRecruiter. By looking out latest job listings, yow will discover native corporations hiring pet sitters and canine walkers for cheap charges.

Nonetheless, the alternatives obtainable to you’ll fluctuate primarily based on the place you’re positioned and the time of 12 months. However, it’s one of the simplest ways to constantly discover potential, paid pet sitting jobs. This was the case for me, although it took me some time to get employed.

How A lot Do Pet Sitters Make?

Now that we’ve gone over how one can grow to be a contract pet sitter, it’s possible you’ll be questioning what the common wage appears to be like like.

Sadly, most home sitting with pet jobs are unpaid as your pay comes within the type of free lodging and utilities. Sometimes, these jobs additionally include extra perks, like free car entry, however, a lot of the listings discovered on web sites like Trusted Housesitters, Nomador, and MindMyHouse received’t pay.

Nonetheless, when you achieve extra abilities and expertise as a pet nanny and home sitter, you’ll have the ability to leverage your experience for cash. Skilled pet sitters can count on to make $25 to $80 per evening, relying on the world, purchasers, duties requested, and your testimonials.

Moreover, jobs that contain drop-in visits and canine strolling are undoubtedly worthy of fee. You’ll be able to count on to make $10 to $25 per 30-60 minute go to. You’ll be able to checklist your providers and costs on web sites like Rover; simply observe that the upper your charges, the tougher it’s to search out new purchasers.

General, don’t count on to make an excessive amount of cash at first. I used to be home sitting with pets at no cost for 2 years earlier than I began requesting fee, and though I might’ve began charging a lot earlier, I used to be primarily looking for free journey lodging.

Professionals and Cons of Being a Pet Sitter

To date, we’ve gone over how one can grow to be an expert pet sitter, the necessities of turning into a pet sitter, and one of the best pet sitting corporations to select from. However how are you going to ensure if pet sitting is the fitting match for you? What are the benefits and downsides of being an expert pet sitter?

Professionals of Turning into a Pet Sitter

• Free lodging and utilities: One of many largest perks of pet sitting is that you just get a free place to remain. If you happen to’re pet sitting regionally, you possibly can deal with it as a staycation; you’ll lower your expenses on utilities, and also you would possibly even get to dwell some time in some luxurious properties. If you happen to’re touring, pet sitting can will let you go to new cities with out paying a dime for lodging.
• Spend high quality time with animals: If you happen to crave the corporate of lovable animals however don’t personal pets of your individual, pet sitting is one of the simplest ways to go. This was the best attract for me; once I first began out as an expert pet sitter, I couldn’t personal any of my very own pets as a result of I used to be residing nomadically in Japan.
• It’s a good way to make more money: Whereas it’s a bit of unlikely you’ll make a full-time earnings off of pet sitting alone, it’s an amazing, simple, and handy strategy to make some further money.
• It’s versatile: As an expert pet sitter, you will be self-employed. This implies you possibly can select your jobs primarily based in your private preferences, and with an abundance of pet and home sitting gigs obtainable, there are numerous choices to select from.
• It’s top-of-the-line methods to journey: Pet sitting offers you with the chance to go to the much less touristy areas of a metropolis and uncover some hidden gems. That is certainly one of my favourite components of pet sitting; it allowed me to discover utterly new areas of London and Tokyo.

Cons of Turning into a Pet Sitter

• The wage isn’t excessive, constant, or dependable: Whereas it’s nice to receives a commission to cuddle and look after some animals, the wage isn’t nice. It additionally incessantly varies between purchasers and seasons.
• You may need to cope with some tough purchasers: Whereas a lot of the pet house owners I’ve met have been very welcoming and sort, you sometimes need to cope with tough and fussy purchasers. It may be traumatic and exhausting to cope with their generally limitless stream of calls for.
• You may need to cope with some misbehaved pets: Pet sitting a very mischievous or untrained animal will be fairly traumatic. Caring for a poorly-behaved animal will be tiring; from cleansing up their messes to offering them with a wholesome outlet for his or her extreme power.
• Most pet and home sitting web sites cost a membership price: If you happen to’re questioning how one can grow to be a pet sitter with none expertise, it’s greatest to hitch a home sitting web site. Sadly, most of those web sites cost a membership price. I prefer to view it as a small funding for my private freelance pet sitting enterprise.

Find out how to Turn out to be a Pet Sitter: FAQs

Listed here are the solutions to some generally requested questions on how one can grow to be a pet sitter:

In Conclusion

I hope this text on how one can get into petsitting has supplied you with the means and the boldness to get began. Pet sitting is really certainly one of my favourite jobs on the planet; not solely do I get to save cash whereas visiting costly locations, however I get to spend high quality time with lovable animals.

Whether or not you wish to begin pet sitting to avoid wasting on journey lodging or to make some further money at house, there’s nothing higher than getting paid to look after a pet. So, open up your laptops and begin organising your profiles, it’s time to get began.

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