Are you going out of town for vacation? Or maybe you’re working long hours and don’t have time to get home to take out Fido? Some modern-day dog-sitting services are like Airbnb for pups, giving them the luxury of a homestay with the freedom and attention they deserve while you’re away. Some even offer other services like grooming, walking, and training. Now, isn’t that preferable to a crowded kennel or roughing it in a cage?
Some more traditional professionals have certifications and are part of trusted organizations. But how do you find the best pet sitter, and how much do the top pet-sitting websites cost? You need to know a few things before picking a dog-sitting service. As a pet sitter with years of experience, I know precisely what to look for in a good service and what questions to ask. So, read on to find the best pet-sitting services to fit your needs.
Why Dog-Sitting vs Kennel Or Boarding?
As of 2024, according to the American Pet Products Association, more than 82 million households own a pet in the United States, with 58 million owning a dog. Over time, the number has only increased, including the pandemic boom of pet adoptions and new pets. That’s a lot of dogs that need love and attention. Combine that with our busy lives, and you may find it challenging to take your dog on walks and feed them throughout the day. That’s where dog-sitting services come to the rescue.
6 Benefits Of Using Dog-Sitting Services
So, the question is, what are the benefits of pet-sitting companies over a traditional kennel or boarding? Here are some of the main benefits of pet-sitting.
- Flexibility. Most pet sitters offer many options with no restrictions. You work with the sitter to set your drop-off and pick-up times according to your schedule
- Convenience. You’ll likely find a sitter in your neighborhood or wherever you travel. Some sitters offer to pick up and drop off your pet
- One-On-One Attention. Nothing beats knowing your beloved animal is in a loving, happy home with someone who gives them extra love, cuddles, and the freedom to roam around
- Familiarity & Consistency. If you find a sitter you like, you can build trust with them and provide your pup a home away from home (or in your home)
- Personalized Service. In addition to more attention and walks, the sitter will feed your pup, play with them, administer medications, and more. They’re usually happy to send you photos and updates throughout the day
- Peace Of Mind. Most pet-sitting services have limited insurance that covers some damages or theft if the sitter is guilty of the act
My Personal Experience: Why I Prefer Dog-Sitting Over Boarding
My dog Bonkers is a rescue dog who spent the first year of his life on the street, and suspected of being physically abused and injected with drugs. I chose Bonkers not only because he is adorable but also because he was shutting down in kennels and likely to be euthanized. Bonkers does not cope with kennels, and he needs a calm environment. He doesn’t even like doggy daycare and sits in the corner shaking. For this reason, I feel dog-sitting is the only option for him because it offers a calm, home-away-from-home experience.
I then moved to Europe for work. On occasions when I had to travel on business and Bonkers couldn’t come, I needed a pet-sitter. I heard great things about dog-sitting services, so I tried Trusted Housesitters. I had such a great experience with the sitters I “hired.” And when I traveled back to the U.K. to get married and go on our honeymoon across four weeks, I used a sitter myself and Bonkers trusted. It meant I could enjoy my time away, knowing he was in good hands. I couldn’t have done this without this service.
I then spent several years traveling around Europe in a camper van with Bonkers and my husband. I signed up to become a sitter myself, and every few weeks I dog and house sat to break up my journey, but also to meet a wide variety of dog breeds. I also house-sat a small-holding in the Black Forest, Germany, for two months, which was an incredible adventure. After years of experience with using pet-sitting services both ways, I encourage anyone needing a pet-sitting service to find a sitter they trust. It makes your time away, be it for a day or two months, much more enjoyable knowing your pet is being taken care of.
– Emma Braby, Rescue Dog Mom & Author
8 Things You Must Know Before Reading My Reviews
Pet-sitting rates vary depending on the service you use, location, experience, and type of pet. I encourage you to do your due diligence before booking a sitter. Here are a few basic things to know before using a service.
1. Proceed With Caution
While the Canine Journal team and I have personally had great experiences with these services, I’m also aware of many disappointments from other customers. Many online pet sitters are untrained, non-professional, unlicensed individuals. A love for pets brought them to work in this business, but a lack of knowledge, experience, CPR, and first aid training may lead to complex and heart-wrenching circumstances.
2. Ask For Background Checks
Many companies claim they run background checks on the contracted sitters you can find on their sites. However, some companies only verify an email, which anyone can do. I recommend looking for someone who has passed an enhanced background check. A background check into the criminal history of any contractor can give you peace of mind that your dog walker or sitter may not steal from your house or have a criminal history of animal offenses. Always check that the individual has passed a background check by a third-party provider.
3. Ask For Recommendations Or Look For Positive Reviews
Treat your dogs as you would your children. Would you trust a childcare provider with no positive reviews? Or without getting personal references and word-of-mouth recommendations from your trusted friends and acquaintances? No. For this reason, I strongly urge you to take these same steps to care for your dog, no matter what service you use. Be sure to choose sitters who have a long history of positive reviews. I personally only considered sitters who had a minimum of five positive reviews. I wouldn’t consider any sitter with a hugely negative review.
As a pet sitter, I accumulated dozens of positive reviews. However, on one occasion, I house-sat four Huskies and a house in Switzerland for two weeks. The owner came back a day early without warning, and because I left a teaspoon on the draining board, they gave me a four-star review (out of five). Reading a sitter’s reviews and considering their context and history before ruling them out is essential. However, if I read one review about neglect of care or duties towards animals, I would rule them out.
4. Meet The Sitter Beforehand
One of the most important steps for me, regardless of passing background checks and positive reviews (although they’re super important!), is meeting the sitter beforehand. You need to make sure you’re comfortable with the person. Just because a sitter has fantastic reviews doesn’t always mean they’re the right person for you and your dog. I set up online meetings to chat, get to know each other, see if they are suitable, and make you feel at ease. Trust your gut here.
5. Discuss Your Needs & Expectations
I have read several complaints of sitters hired to come to the house but don’t visit enough for feedings, walks, potty breaks, etc. Discuss your expectations during your meeting and ensure they’re taking notes. Don’t be afraid to tell them explicitly what you expect. If they care about your dog and your custom, they won’t mind doing what you need. Plus, this also means no confusion about your expectations during the sit. If they can’t meet your needs precisely, come to an agreement, but only if it works for you and your dog. If they can’t offer what you need, politely tell them as such and find someone else who can meet your expectations.
6. Make Sure Your Sitter Is Bonded And Insured
You want to hire a pet sitter that is bonded and insured, but what does this mean?
Bonding
Bonding for pet sitters protects the dog-sitting company against employee theft. How does this work? If something goes missing while a pet sitter stays in your home and you accuse the sitter of potential theft (should the police become involved and convict the sitter of the crime), the company would cover the bond. The guilty sitter would then be responsible for paying back the bond to the company.
Insurance
If your provider has pet-sitting insurance, your property is protected from any damage the sitter may cause while in your home. Some policies extend coverage to include items stolen from your home during a house sitter’s stay. So, ensure your pet sitter has insurance before contracting with them. We also recommend having a pet-sitting contract in place.
Requesting a copy of their insurance and the signed pet-sitting contract is essential. I’ve heard of scenarios where a pet sitter claims to have insurance, but they either didn’t or their insurance had expired. This way, if something goes wrong, you know you’re covered.
7. Pet Health Insurance
What happens if your pet gets sick while under someone else’s care? No worries. If your dog doesn’t already have pet health insurance, some pet-sitting services offer limited coverage for accidents, illnesses, and injuries to your pup (or others) during any pet sitter stay. For instance, Rover comes with a “Rover Guarantee,” an added layer of protection when the responsible party is unable or unwilling to pay for costs arising from damage or injury attributable to their negligence (when insurance is unavailable).
8. Write Everything Down For Your Sitter
Writing instructions or a welcome guide for your sitter, especially during the first few visits, is essential. These instructions could include:
- Your pet’s details (name, breed, age, etc.)
- Meal times & what/how much they eat
- Details of exercise routine (how many walks, length of walks, whether they are allowed off-leash, local walking areas, etc.)
- Any medical needs they have and details
- Home rules (are they allowed access to the entire house, only certain areas, etc.)
- Your contact details
- Emergency contact details (nearby friends, family, neighbors)
- Microchip information
- Your vet’s details, including name, address, contact information, opening hours
- Nearby emergency animal hospitals
8 Best Pet-Sitting Websites And Apps
Now you know how to find the best sitter and other tips on what you need to think about, below are my top picks for the best pet-sitting websites. Many also have apps to book, track, and message sitters on the go.
Rover Review
Rover is an online platform that allows pet owners to connect with independently contracted pet sitters to care for their pets at your home or the sitter’s house. You can browse their site by zip code to find possible sitters in your local area. Rover provides reviews of dog sitters and shows their availability dates. Also, sitters receive “badges” for various pet care best practice training sessions. Dog sitting rates are listed upfront, along with the services offered and the types of animals the sitter accepts.
Rover offers 24/7 support, a reservation guarantee, and a Rover Guarantee that reimburses you for vet care injuries to a pet in a sitter’s care caused by a Rover sitter, vet care injuries to the sitter’s pets caused by a “Rover Dog,” and property damages to a pet owner’s personal property caused by the sitter. Reimbursement for vet care is up to $25,000 per incident, and for property damage or certain third-party injuries, it is up to $1 million per incident (both subject to a $250 deductible).
We have had great experiences as sitters and using the service for dog sitting, but we understand that not everyone has. So, as mentioned above, be sure to research the sitter options, read their reviews carefully, and do a meet-and-greet in the home to ensure you are comfortable with the situation before leaving your dog. Rover merged with DogVacay, another dog-sitting website, in 2017.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Offers a range of services | Some users have had negative experiences |
You can see their reviews & badges | |
Their rates are listed upfront | |
Offers 24/7 support | |
The Rover Guarantee offers peace of mind |
Our First-Hand Experience With Rover
We have successfully used Rover.com’s pet-sitting services for our dogs several times over the past three years. They have stayed more than two dozen times with four different sitters, and we were thrilled each time. We spent a great deal of time finding the best sitter for our situation, with the best (and most consistent) reviews.
We also conducted meet & greets at the sitter’s homes before leaving our beloved pups, ensuring that everything was as described and that everyone got along well. The extra time we invested upfront was well worth it to give us all peace of mind that everyone was safe and happy, allowing us to fully enjoy our vacation. Our dogs came home with wagging tails, we received lots of photo updates during their stay and the sitters invited us back each time. The love and attention they received via Rover sitters was significantly better than what we have experienced at kennels in the past.
– Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal Co-Founder & Pet Parent To Two Rescue Mixed Breed Dogs
Pricing
Signing up for an account as a homeowner is free. The fees for the pet-sitting service vary depending on the service you need, your location, your needs, their experience, the time of year, and more. The average cost of caring for your pet overnight ranges from $15 to $150.
Coupon Code
Use this link to receive a $10 credit for your first Rover booking.
To learn more about this pet-sitting website, read our comprehensive Rover review.
Wag! Review
Like Rover, Wag! is one of my other top picks for the best pet-sitting apps. They are a popular dog-walking app and offer other services, including sitting and training. Wag! requires criminal background checks and provides training for sitters. Your home is protected for up to $1 million when booking a Wag! walking or sitting service. They even provide a lockbox to store your key if you opt for sitters to stay in your home. When your dog is with a Wag! sitter, you get activity reports and GPS tracking for walks. Wag! is currently in over 5,300 cities nationwide, with over 450,000 carers on their books.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Offers a variety of pet-sitting services | Some users have had a negative experience with this service |
Requires sitters to undergo background checks | |
Offers training for sitters | |
You receive activity reports and GPS tracking | |
Lots of carers to choose from |
Pricing
Pet sitters on this platform are independent caregivers who set their rates based on their experience, services, and other factors. Wag! is a popular dog-walking website, with dog walks costing between $12.75 and $36.99 on average.
Coupon Code
Use this link and code TRYWAG10 to get $10 off Wag!
What About Care, Fetch, HouseCares, NAPPS, PSI & Trusted Housesitters?
In addition to the dog-sitting apps I recommend above, here’s a quick overview of other popular online pet-sitting and dog-watching services.
Care.com Review
Care.com offers pet care and other types of care (senior, child, etc.). They offer pet-sitting, dog walking, training, grooming, and boarding. How does it work? Sign up for an account and create the “job” you need, e.g., a pet sitter for a weekend. Care.com guarantees that caregivers will contact you within three days after posting your job. Given this extra lead time, you need to plan for your job. So, this might not be the service for you if you need last-minute options.
Once the applicants respond, you can review the profiles of the candidates who have already completed background checks. You can then conduct interviews and check references to hire whomever you like best. I like that with Care.com, you can choose the best candidate for the job and compare prices before committing. Plus, it could become a one-stop shop for your household care needs if you require other services.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Advertise your “job” & receive applications | You have to wait for applicants to apply & plan ahead |
It allows you to review the applicants before speaking to them | |
Offers a wide range of pet-sitting services | |
Care.com is a one-stop shop for household care needs | |
Widely used |
Pricing
According to care.com, the average price for pet-sitting and other services varies. For example, the hourly rate in San Antonio, Texas is $12.18, whereas in Seattle, Washington, it’s $19.31. It’s difficult to say how much a service will cost, but you can compare prices between applicants before committing.
Fetch! Pet Care Review
Fetch! Pet Care does things differently. You don’t get to hand-pick your sitter. Instead, Fetch! matches every client to the most qualified sitter in your area who’s available on your dates. They also schedule a free in-home consultation for you and the sitter to meet. The website also has clients’ testimonials. Each sitter goes through a criminal background check, and your dog has limited insurance during the reservation.
You should expect to receive updates via text, email, and phone calls to know how your pup is doing. Fetch! also offers dog walking, overnight visits, and a local pet taxi service, which, according to my research, is a unique option. This option is great for pet owners who don’t have much time to sift through profiles as they find the best choice for you. But remember, you have the final say, and if you’re not happy with them, you can choose another.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Fetch! matches potential carers taking a lot of the work out of the process | You don’t get to sift through potential applicants |
This website lists their reviews | |
Each sitter has to undergo a background check | |
Your dog is covered by limited insurance during the reservation | |
Offers a unique pet taxi service |
Pricing
Like most options here, it’s tricky to say how much a service costs. According to the Fetch! website, dog walks start at $25, pet-sitting starts at $27 per hour, and pet taxi services start at $35.
Trusted Housesitters Review
I have used Trusted Housesitters as a pet sitter and someone needing pet-sitting services. During my years of experience with them, I had a brilliant adventure. The website is easy to use, and you can easily find a background-checked pet sitter on Trusted Housesitters. They also have an app that can make finding a sitter and applying for sits much easier on the go. If you live in a popular location, expect lots of applicants. When I lived in Frankfurt, Germany, I received over 50 applications in less than one hour.
To find a sitter, sign up for an account and post the dates you require care. Applications from members are sent to your inbox for you to consider. Select a sitter, set up a meet, and if you’re both happy, leave for your trip knowing you’ve found the ideal sitter for your pet. For extra peace of mind, if a pet causes injury to another person, their property, or pets, and this is due to negligence on the sitter’s part, Trusted Housesitters covers up to $1 million per incident. Pet parent membership starts at $149 annually and includes unlimited pet and home care from verified sitters. If you require frequent pet care, this could be a great option.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Many sitters upload third-party background checks | More expensive than other flat-fee services |
Simple to use | |
They have an app | |
Lists all their reviews with details | |
Applications are sent to your inbox for consideration | |
The one-off yearly fee is great for frequent users |
Pricing
How does payment work? There are different annual membership plans, depending on what you need:
- Basic Pet Parent: $149
- Standard Pet Parent: $229
- Premium Pet Parent: $299
Sitting membership starts at $129. You can also purchase a combined pet sitter and homeowner option with unlimited care and pet-sitting opportunities. Explore Trusted Housesitter’s membership plans for more information.
HouseCarers Review
HouseCarers matches you with a house sitter in your area. Essentially, housesitters receive rent-free accommodation in exchange for house-sitting and/or pet care. In addition to pet care, your house looks “lived in” while you’re away so that criminals won’t see your home as a target. The downside is that HouseCarers does not offer guarantees or link in with background checks. Housesitters can upload checks, references, and police clearances, but many applicants don’t provide this.
I found the website difficult to navigate and unclear how the service works. When I searched for a housesitter near our area, I found results for people available in any location – not necessarily locals. It is free for homeowners and costs $50 for a sitter’s yearly membership, making it much cheaper than Trusted Housesitters and a good option for those on a tight budget.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Free for pet & homeowners looking for care services | It doesn’t offer guarantees or coverage |
Your home is “lived in” for additional home protection | Not as many sitters offer background checks |
Cheaper than Trusted Housesitters | I found the website is challenging to navigate |
You can view all potential care providers |
Pricing
It is free for pets and homeowners to use and make a listing, and they charge sitters a $50 annual fee to list their services.
National Association Of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) Review
Petsitters.org (run by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters) isn’t a pet-sitting service, but it’s a good resource for locating NAPPS-accredited pet sitters in your area. Think of this website as a pet-sitting directory. The downside is there are no reviews of the sitters, so you can’t see how they have done in the past. All pet caregivers are required to sign the NAPPS Pledge of Professional Conduct. If they go against these stipulations, they risk being struck from the register. You have to do some investigative work for this one: contact the person, interview, ask for references, conduct a background check, etc.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
This is a pet-sitting directory | Not a pet-sitting service |
Requires caregivers to sign a pledge of conduct | It does not show reviews |
It makes searching for independent care providers easier | |
Free for pet owners to use |
Pricing
Pricing depends on the service and provider you choose. NAPPS charges sitters an annual fee of $165 to list themselves on their directory.
Pet Sitters International (PSI) Review
Like NAPPS, Pet Sitters International (aka PSI) helps you find local pet sitters who are members of their organization. Enter your zip code, and it gives you a listing of professional services in the area along with a description and details. You don’t book through PSI. You go to the company’s website or email them directly. They indicate if a business is insured, bonded, trained in first aid, certified, has a background check, and more.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
It helps you to find local pet sitters | Not a pet-sitting service |
Provides descriptions to make it simpler for you | |
Indicates pet-sitting markers such as coverage, first aid, background checks & more | |
Free to use |
Pricing
Like NAPPS, the pricing depends on the service and provider you choose. PSI charges sitters an annual fee of $155 to list themselves on their website.
How Much To Pay A Dog Sitter
Trusting someone with your beloved pet is a big deal and a huge responsibility. For that reason, it’s priceless. However, how much you pay a dog sitter depends on your preferences and circumstances. If you have a higher maintenance dog on medication or one with special needs, paying someone certified and only keeping one pet at a time might be worth it.
However, if you have a laid-back dog that loves to sleep, you might feel more comfortable leaving them with a less-trained professional from a site like Wag! or Rover. Pet-sitting costs vary based on location and are typically more expensive in larger cities like New York and San Francisco. However, in rural areas, the average sitter probably runs slightly less due to their lower cost of living and expenses.
Do You Tip Dog Sitters?
It’s typically not expected to tip sitters. However, if you feel your sitter went above and beyond and you’d like to tip, surely sitters will welcome it. Rover and Wag! offer tipping as an option, but it’s usually only used around the holiday season or in particular circumstances like last-minute bookings. Rover and Wag! allow sitters to set their rates so they can always increase their fees if they feel they are undercharging.
Of course, as a pet sitter, I appreciated a monetary tip. However, for me and many others, the best tip was to give a positive review and make recommendations to other clients. Tips can also come in other forms of payment, like souvenirs from your trip if you are traveling or a gift they might appreciate, such as chocolates or a bottle of wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of our readers still have questions about pet-sitting services and which one to choose. If you don’t see your question below, ask us in the comments, and we’ll find the answer for you.
Can I Keep An Eye On My Pup While I’m Away?
While it’s illegal to use indoor video cameras on guests without their knowledge, a popular use of a home security system is to use security cameras as pet cams. Aim the cameras at your pup’s crate or where they spend time in your home. This way, you can watch them, see what they’re up to, and make sure they’re okay. This can help put your mind at ease and let you enjoy your outing. If you use a pet cam, please inform the sitter beforehand.
Is Pet-Sitting Better Than Boarding?
The next time you’re leaving town or working late, you may want to search for a dog sitter online. That way, your dog can stay in the comfort of their home rather than being boarded at an unfamiliar place where they may not be comfortable. However, some dogs are more easygoing, and many pet parents are uncomfortable letting someone into their home. This choice is personal.
What’s The Best Pet-Sitting Service?
This depends on what service you are looking for, your budget, and what you feel comfortable with. Rover and Trusted Housesitters are the best for a more personalized pet-sitting service, while Wag! is popular for a simple dog-walking service. Pick the provider that feels like the best option for you and give it a go.
Traveling With Your Pet
Want to take your pet with you on your next trip? Learn some tips for successfully traveling with your pet. Are you interested in becoming a pet sitter? Read our dog-sitting guide to get started. And lastly, check out our reviews of dog-walking apps if you need help while at work or running errands.
Have you used any of these services? Perhaps you use another pet-sitting option you think I should add to my list? If you’d like to share your good or bad experiences with us and your fellow readers, let us know in the comments below.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Emma is a dog mom to two rescue dogs, Bonkers and a young Doxie named Chips. She has many years of experience in the pet-sitting and dog-walking world and knows precisely what to look for in a service and a sitter. Emma loves to share her experience and knowledge with her readers to help them and their dogs live their best lives. Emma and the team at Canine Journal work tirelessly to provide their readers with expert canine knowledge, advice, and recommendations.