Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

Fees and rates checked 26 Sep 2026 on the platforms' own websites

What you need: Free profile · time and a love of animals
What it pays: You set your rates; you keep 85% (UK) or 80% (US)
How you get paid: Through Rover
Available in: UK, US

What You Do

Pet owners need help while they’re at work or away: daily dog walks, drop-in visits to feed a cat, house sitting, or looking after a dog in your own home. You choose which services to offer, when you’re free and what to charge.

What It Pays

You set your own price for each service.
In the UK, sitters and dog walkers take home 85% of each booking. In the US, Rover takes a 20% service fee, so you keep 80%; fees can differ in California and in some US pilot programmes.
Owners also pay Rover a service fee at checkout (15% in the UK, capped at £49 a booking; an 11% booking fee in the US).

How to Start

Create a sitter profile on Rover with clear photos and your experience with animals.
Pick the services you’ll offer and the area you’ll cover.
Set your rates by looking at what nearby sitters charge for the same services.
Meet owners and their pets before the first booking so everyone’s comfortable.
Send photo updates during stays and ask happy owners for reviews.

Good to Know

Part of Rover’s fees fund the Rover Guarantee, a reimbursement programme mainly aimed at protecting pets. Read its terms so you know what it covers.
Only take on pets you’re confident handling, and check your home suits boarding before offering it.
Pet sitting income is self-employed income, so keep records for tax.

Where We Checked

Checked on 26 September 2026.

We check each platform’s fees and rules on its own website and show the date we last did. Platforms can change them at any time, so confirm on the platform before you sign up. General information only, not financial or tax advice.

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