How to Become a Dog Sitter or Pet Sitter: Steps, Pay, Insurance

To become a pet sitter, learn the work on the job, check whether your state requires a business license, and buy liability insurance before your first client. A dog sitter is a pet sitter who mostly watches dogs: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says “Pet sitters typically watch over dogs, but some also take care of cats and other pets.”

Certification is optional. The BLS says “Although not required, certifications may help workers establish their credentials and enhance their skills.”

What a Professional Dog Sitter Does

The BLS describes the job this way: “Pet sitters look after animals while the pet owner is away. Most pet sitters feed, walk, and play with pets daily.” The sitter goes to the pet’s home, “allowing the pet to stay in its familiar surroundings and follow its routine,” in the BLS’s words. The BLS adds that experienced sitters may also bathe, groom, or train the pets.

Handling dogs takes specific skills and responsibilities. A 2018 questionnaire of 35 wildlife detection dog handlers in Australia and New Zealand, published in the journal Animals, rated “ability to read dog body language” as the most important skill. That study covered wildlife detection dog handlers, not pet sitters, but the skill applies to any dog you meet.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) lists what a stressed dog can look like: “Stress signals include yawning, lip and nose licking, shaking, and sniffing.” It describes dogs that are “shy, wary, and unsure” as the ones that hang back and use other dogs to block contact with people.

The work also carries physical risk. The BLS says “Animal caretakers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations,” and that workers “may be bitten, scratched, or kicked when working with scared or aggressive animals.”

Benefits of Becoming a Pet Sitter

PSI asked its members why they became professional sitters. The most common answers were “A love of animals,” “The opportunity to be one’s own boss,” and “The desire to leave the corporate world.” PSI also says most of its members run sole proprietor businesses.

The BLS says part-time work is common for animal caretakers, and that schedules may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Many people find time with pets incredibly rewarding, and the BLS notes that animal care and service workers “may consider their work enjoyable and rewarding.”

How to Become a Pet Sitter, Step by Step

Networking

Two professional groups serve sitters: the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) and Pet Sitters International (PSI). PSI says it has been “The world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters since 1994.” Its member benefits include a network of other pet-sitting professionals, access to group-rate insurance, a discount on background checks, and free client handout and form downloads. PSI also offers a free 29-page guide that “details 7 steps PSI encourages you to take when starting your pet-sitting business.” Care.com is a site that lists sitter jobs.

Get experience with animals

The BLS says “Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have experience working with animals,” and that animal care workers typically learn the occupation on the job. Volunteer time at an animal rescue is one way to build that experience before you take paid clients.

Licensing

The BLS says “Many states require self-employed animal care and service workers to have a business license.” The Small Business Administration (SBA) says “The licenses and permits you need from the state, county, or city will depend on your business activities and business location.” It adds “You’ll have to research your own state, county, and city regulations” and “Visit your Secretary of State’s website to find out which permits and licenses you need.”

Insurance

The SBA lists general liability insurance for “Any business” and says it “protects against financial loss as the result of bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlement bonds or judgments.” For “Businesses that provide services to customers,” it lists professional liability insurance, which “protects against financial loss as a result of malpractice, errors, and negligence.”

The SBA also says “The federal government requires every business with employees to have the following:” workers’ compensation, unemployment, and disability insurance. The SBA adds “Some states also require additional insurance.”

PSI says “Remember, insurance is a must for professional pet sitters!” It also says insurance is not part of membership, but PSI members can buy group-rate coverage in the U.S. and Canada.

Pet Sitter Certification From PSI

PSI offers the CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter designation. PSI says certification lets you “Demonstrate your competency in the core knowledge base professional pet sitters should possess,” and that it helps “Support standards in our largely unregulated industry and promote professionalism.”

How it works, in PSI’s words: when you apply for the exam, you get a digital study guide, and “Candidates are permitted six months from the date of purchase to request the exam.” The exam is online. PSI says “Your initial certification is valid for three years, and continuing education is required to maintain your designation.” Certified sitters must also keep a full PSI membership for the certification to stay active.

For people not ready for the exam, PSI offers an online certificate course called Professional Pet Sitting as a Career, which it says covers “the need-to-know information for starting and growing your own professional pet-sitting service.”

Setting Up the Business

Decide which services to offer

The BLS says pet sitters “feed, walk, and play with pets daily.”

Make a business plan

The SBA says “You’re automatically considered to be a sole proprietorship if you do business activities but don’t register as any other kind of business.” It also says an LLC can “protect you from personal liability in most instances.”

What to charge

PSI offers a free start-up costs checklist, which it says “can help” if you are wondering about the costs involved in starting a pet-sitting business. Read more about what pet side hustles take to start.

Put the terms in writing

Draft a client contract that states what happens in a veterinary emergency, the exact services you will provide, and the fee. PSI members get free client handout and form downloads.

Working With Pet Parents

Start with a meeting and write down what they tell you. The ASPCA says a sitter should know the pet’s “age, weight, current health issues, medications, regular diet and microchip information,” along with the regular veterinarian and the nearest local emergency clinic.

The ASPCA also says “If you suspect your pet has been exposed to any poisonous substances, contact your veterinarian or call Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at 888-426-4435 immediately.” Keep that number with the client’s notes. Send a short update after each visit so pet parents know how the pet did.

Pet Sitter, Kennel Attendant, and Dog Handler

The BLS separates the home visit from the kennel. It says “Kennel attendants care for pets, often overnight, in place of owners. They clean cages and dog runs and feed, exercise, and play with animals.” Pet sitters, in contrast, go to the pet’s home. A dog handler is another job title. According to Glassdoor, it has its own salary page.

FAQ

How much does a pet sitter make?

It depends on the job. The BLS lists pet sitters among animal caretakers and reports “The median annual wage for animal caretakers was $35,360 in May 2025.” For all animal care and service workers, the BLS gives a 2025 median of $35,530 per year ($17.08 per hour). The BLS pay data does not include self-employed workers, so a sitter running a business can earn differently.

Do I need a degree to be a dog sitter?

No. The BLS says animal care and service workers “typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the occupation on the job.” It lists related work experience as none.

Is the job growing?

Yes. The BLS counts 413,000 animal care and service jobs in 2025 and projects “11% (Much faster than average)” growth for 2025 to 2035.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Animal Care and Service Workers (2025 figures; Internet Archive copy of the bls.gov page).
• U.S. Small Business Administration. Launch your business.
• Pet Sitters International. Why Certification?, Pet Sitting as a Career, and Pet Sitter Insurance and Bonding.
• National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. petsitters.org.
• ASPCA. Pet Sitter Safety: What to Know Before You Go (December 5, 2017).
• American Kennel Club. Dog Body Language: Is It Important in a Kennel? You Bet It Is (updated September 19, 2018).
• Jamieson LJ, Baxter GS, Murray PJ. Who’s a Good Handler? Important Skills and Personality Profiles of Wildlife Detection Dog Handlers. Animals (Basel), 2018 (35 handlers in Australia and New Zealand).
• National Institutes of Health, News in Health. The Power of Pets.
• Glassdoor. Dog handler salary page.
• Grand Valley State University. Pet Sitting Service Contract.

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