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    Pet Sitting Income

    Love pets without the long-term commitment.

    Best platforms

    • Rover — largest. They take 20%.
    • Wag — focuses on dog walking.
    • Care.com — broad, includes pet care.
    • Sittercity — alternative.
    • Word-of-mouth — keep 100%, build reputation.
    • NextDoor — neighborhood gigs.

    Services to offer

    • Drop-in visits — $15-30/visit (30-min).
    • Dog walking — $15-30/walk.
    • Boarding — overnight in YOUR home, $25-75/night.
    • House sitting — stay at THEIR home.
    • Doggy daycare — daytime YOUR home.
    • Cat sitting — easier, less time.
    • Boarding pays best per hour.

    Senior advantages

    • Home all day = perfect for boarding/daycare.
    • Patient with anxious pets.
    • Reliable — fewer last-minute cancels.
    • Mature judgment for medical issues.
    • Photos + updates make pet parents happy.
    • Long-term clients = stable income.

    Setup Rover

    • Free profile at rover.com.
    • Background check $35.
    • Free Rover online safety course.
    • Photos of yourself + home.
    • Detailed bio about pet experience.
    • Set rates competitively at first ($20-30/visit).
    • Raise rates as reviews accumulate.
    • Rover insurance covers up to $25K.

    Stay safe

    • Always meet pet + owner BEFORE sitting.
    • Get vet contact + medical info.
    • Pet allergies (yours + pet).
    • House key handling — be clear.
    • Insurance and bonding through Rover.
    • Medication instructions in writing.
    • Emergency contact info.

    Realistic income

    • $200-500/mo for occasional walks.
    • $500-1,500/mo for regular schedule.
    • $1,500-3,000/mo if doing boarding regularly.
    • $3,000+/mo for full-time pet care.
    • Holiday weeks = highest pay (Christmas, summer).
    • Build referrals — 60% repeat clients within 1 year.

    Best fit for

    Active seniors who love walking + pets. Singles or couples without daily commitments. Snowbirds — sit in summer home, vacation in winter. Easier than dogwalking jobs of past — apps handle marketing + payments. You just enjoy pets + earn money. Many seniors' favorite gig.