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

Do you want to get free accommodation on your next vacation? Or are you looking for ways to make extra cash? Perhaps you’re a digital nomad seeking ways to reduce housing costs. If so, it’s time to learn how to become a pet sitter.

Pet sitting allows you to get paid (in money or accommodation) in exchange for taking care of adorable animals. It’s truly a win-win situation. With plenty of gigs available globally, pet sitting is a great way to travel.

I’ve pet sat around the world; I spent a week looking after a Husky mix in Glasgow, a month and a half with a Frenchie in Tokyo, a few weeks with a rescue cat in Brussels, and weeks with a Saluki in Kobe. It’s by far my favorite way to travel.

In this article, I’ll share the requirements to become a pet sitter, how you can find work, how much pet sitters get paid, and more.

What is a Pet Sitter?

Firstly, before we get into how to become a pet sitter, you may be wondering what a pet sitter is, and what the difference is between a pet sitter and a house sitter.

Pet sitters look after someone’s pet while they’re away. This usually entails staying at the pet owner’s home, but this is not always the case; it can also include dropping in to check on the pets, playing with them, checking the cat litter, or walking the dogs.

Pet sitting can also include letting the animals stay at your own home, but this requires a secure and safe set-up. Regardless of the details, pet sitter duties typically involve providing the animals with safety, food, water, affection, and playtime.

In contrast, house sitters look after someone’s home while they’re away; this almost always involves staying on the property. Their duties can include taking care of a pet, but it also includes watering the plants, keeping things clean, and looking after the garden.

I have experience with both house sitting with a pet and pet sitting only (where I dropped in to check on an animal). Both types of jobs have pros and cons but the main contrast is that although you get free accommodations with house sitting, you’re more likely to get paid as a pet sitter.

Now that we’ve established what pet sitters and house sitters are, let’s get into how you can start pet sitting.

Requirements to Become a Pet Sitter

If you’re wondering how to become a pet sitter without a degree, you may be asking what certifications, courses, or skills you need in order to be up for the job.

Luckily, most…