Where Can You Find the Best Pet Sitters Out There Today? Taking care of our furry friends is always a priority. And when you're at home, you know you're giving your pet the best possible care. But what about when you're away? Some trips are too long for doggie car rides or too stressful for homebody kitties. So, when you enjoy your relaxing getaway, you want to know that your four-legged family members are safe, happy, and cared for with the same love that you show them yourself. That's where professional pet sitters come in.
Best Option
Rover is a pet sitter database claiming to be the "world's largest" collection of 5-star-rated pet sitters online. The company was founded in 2011 and offers a list of pet sitters across the US, Canada, and Europe. There are currently 17 countries served by pet sitters on Rover, and pet owners have booked over 42 million sitters since the service was founded. Rover focuses primarily on services for dogs and cats, making it ideal for more traditional pet parents.
Quick questions for dog and cat owners
To find a pet sitter on Rover, you'll need to choose between a dog or cat as the primary pet. You can also select both if you have multiple pets at home. Then, Rover will ask you to choose between house sitting, drop-in visits, daycare, boarding, and dog walking services. Then you can select your dates (and whether this is a one-time pet sitting situation or if you'll need weekly assistance). Finally, you can put in what times of day you'll need your pet looked after. The listings will show up immediately with no need to sign up or subscribe.
60+ verified pet sitters
Rover offered over 60 different pet sitters in our area using our test criteria: a pet sitter that will come to the pet owner's house to care for 2 cats and needs to take care of a pet with specific medical needs (feline diabetes). Each pet sitter profile includes verified third-party reviews for the individual, a marker for how many clients hire the pet sitter on repeat, and a little golden shield icon for any pet sitter who has completed a detailed background check. If the shield is blue, the pet sitter passed a less stringent background check than those with a gold badge. One of the features we loved was an on-site link to Google Maps so you can see how close individual pet sitters are to your location.
Costs from $15-$26 per visit
The prices are super easy to find at Rover. Most of the pet sitters offer pricing on a per-visit basis. The lowest cost we saw was $15 per visit. From there, the most common price we saw was $18 per visit. The highest cost on Rover was $26, making many of these local sitters quite affordable.
Feel safe with the Rover Guarantee
On top of the background checks for all of the pet sitters on Rover, the site offers messaging through its app to help keep you safe from any potential issues with pet sitters. This way, there is a record of all discussions, and if disagreements arise, Rover can step in and help you out. Rover also offers The Rover Guarantee which promises that if there is a pet emergency, pet sitters through the platform will be able to take the pet to an emergency vet. Rover will assist up to $25,000 in vet care (after the first $250). The guarantee will also cover property damage to your property if a pet sitter isn't careful with your home and medical costs for third-party injuries.
Top marks for reliable service
Rover has top marks everywhere we look. Starting with the Better Business Bureau, Rover holds a perfect "A+" rating and accreditation. On Trustpilot, the reviews are just as good with a 4.5 out of 5 stars on average. Recent reviews praise how easy it is to find a pet sitter. Pet owners left lots of happy comments for particular pet sitters too, with high points being sitters who send photos or videos of pets during the sit. Some customers noted they loved the filtering system on Rover to help them find the exact right fit for their dog or cat.
Best in class for every category
If you're looking for the most reliable place to get a pet sitter for your dog or cat, Rover is the one to beat. With tons of filters to find the right pet sitter, required background checks, and a guarantee that covers damages when things go wrong, Rover stands out from the pack in every way. If you want tons of options, friendly customer service, and a well-rated site for finding your next pet sitter, head over to Rover right away.
Great
Pet Sitters International (or PSI) is a pet sitting database site that's been around since 1994. It's been considered the "leading educational organization" for pro pet sitters and was originally designed to help pet sitters create and grow their own businesses. The PSI Pet Sitter Locator tool is offered for pet owners who want to find a local professional pet sitter. Currently, there are over 4,000 PSI members across the US, Canada, and overseas. Membership is granted to the top pet sitters, so using this database can help you locate the most reliable professionals in your area.
Tons of details on the listings
To find pet sitters on Pet Sitters International, you just need to enter your zip code (unless you're outside of the US or Canada), and click "search." There are no extra quizzes or forms to fill out, and you don't need an account or email to see the listings. Each pet sitter profile will have a range of icons that help you understand the services offered. The key for these icons is at the bottom of the page, but some of the most important ones include:
5 impressive options for pet sitters
Regrettably, there weren't a lot of options for PSI pet sitters in our area, but this might change depending on where you're located. During our research, Pet Sitters International showed only 5 pro pet sitters near us. On the bright side, all five were insured, all five could show proof of a background check, and three of them were trained in animal first aid. Since Pet Sitters International only shows you member pet sitters, you might find a smaller list than normal, but all of the pet sitters are high-quality and offer more protection and security than you'll find on many more generic lists from rivals.
Get pricing directly from the sitters
Pet Sitters International is just a database, and the listings are mostly to get the details for pet sitters out there for you to find. If you want pricing, you'll have to contact the pet sitter directly. All of the pet sitters listed their phone, email, and website, so you can do some research and find out more about individual sitters. However, there are no prices listed on Pet Sitters International.
Stringent membership policies create safety
Pet Sitters International offers only pet sitters that are members of its platform. To become a Certified Professional Pet Sitter with Pet Sitters International, professionals need to pass an exam, agree to the PSI quality standards, agree to the code of conduct and ethics, and complete 30 hours of continued pet education every 3 years. This means you're only going to find pet sitters who are serious about pet safety and providing high-quality work. With background checks and insurance offered by most (if not all) of the pet sitters on the site, you'll have no problem with security here.
Top marks from the BBB
Pet Sitters International has a top reputation with the Better Business Bureau, holding a full "A+" rating and accreditation. However, as this is mainly a database and an educational site, there aren't many customer reviews out there. We couldn't find any reviews on Trustpilot or Sitejabber. On the other hand, Pet Sitters International isn't selling anything to pet owners. It's just a resource to use to find the top pet sitters in your area, and it does exactly what it promises.
Best pick for certified pet sitters
Pet Sitters International is a well-respected database site that will only show you the best pet sitters. The stringent requirements for pet sitters to join make it a reliable place to look for the best and safest pet sitters for your furry friend. While there may be fewer options to choose from, and you might need to do a bit of searching for costs, the overall trustworthiness of the site makes it a competitive option for finding your next pet sitter. With the courses and certifications required for full Pet Sitters International membership, you know that your pet will be in good hands. For this reason, Pet Sitters International earns very high marks in our review.
Very Good
Trusted Housesitters is a site that offers you the ability to travel worry-free. Offering both pet sitters and home care in the same package, Trusted Housesitters stands out by connecting people who want a safe house and safe pets with professionals who want to travel to your home and take care of what matters most to you while you're gone. The company was founded in 2010 and it continues to grow rapidly by allowing pet owners and homeowners alike to join the database platform and find the perfect match for their travel plans.
Quick quiz to sign up
To find a pet sitter, you'll start by answering a few questions. First, you'll tell Trusted Housesitters what kind of pets you have. You can pick from dogs, cats, poultry, horses, fish, birds, reptiles, livestock, and small pets. Then, you'll add the quantity of each pet. You can also add in any specific requirements like care for senior animals, baby animals, anxious or nervous animals, or animals that need medication. Once you put in your location, you'll see a scrolling preview of some of the sitters in your area. However, to see the full list, you'll need to register for an account.
No way to view sitters until you pay
We saw a handful of previews for pet sitters in our area, but we were unable to see more before Trusted Housesitters required us to make a subscription. Yep, unfortunately, if you want to access the services at Trusted Housesitters, you'll need to subscribe to one of three plans:
Prices from $149-$299 per year
While you don't need to pay individual pet sitter fees, which might be a benefit if you plan to do a lot of travel, you will need to choose from one of three annual fees. The Basic fee is $149 per year, the Standard fee is $229 per year, and the Premium fee is $299 per year. These are hefty prices up front, but if you compare it to a 2-week pet sitter at $25 per visit, Trusted Housesitters's unlimited house and pet sitting deal is extremely reasonable.
Money-back guarantee and background checks
Trusted Housesitters offers a money-back guarantee that states if you don't get a pet sitter within two weeks that fits your needs, you'll get your membership fee refunded. On top of that, Trusted Housesitters promises top-notch security with all sitters on the platform required to complete background checks and ID verification to be part of the platform. You also get an insurance plan on the two higher tiers of membership that cover your home, belongings, and the sitter while they're staying with your pet.
Praise for high-quality sitters
Currently, Trusted Housesitters doesn't have a page with the Better Business Bureau, but it is well-reviewed on Trustpilot. With over 20,000 total reviews during our research, Trustpilot shows a 4.5-star average rating for this pet sitter website. Recent feedback shows that Trusted Housesitters offers high-quality pet sitters, and most of the reviews in the past few months praise individual pet sitters. Pet owners said that using Trusted Housesitters was "reassuring," and positive reviews mentioned the convenience and ease of finding a pet sitter with quick turnarounds.
Top pick for frequent travelers
Trusted Housesitters is a great choice if you're someone who plans to do a lot of travel. While the upfront cost to use the platform seems steep at first, when you compare daily rates for average pet sitters to the membership at Trusted Housesitters, the cost is extremely reasonable. Plus, with built-in security and a money-back guarantee, Trusted Housesitters is a perfect choice if you're someone who plans to vacay pretty often and needs someone to help out your furry family members. For these reasons, it earns a high recommendation if you plan to be (or are) in your travel era.
Good
Fetch! Pet Care is a site dedicated to pet sitting services. And when they say pets, they mean all of ‘em. Need help with a dog and cat? No problem. Looking for someone to care for birds, gerbils, or lizards? They've got that too. Fetch! Pet Care was founded back in 2002, and it is considered America's largest franchised provider of professional dog walking services. Since then, it was acquired in 2020 by Greg Longe who is working to increase the franchises of Fetch! Pet Care to provide further access to pet services like pet sitters in more areas.
Sign up to get leads
To get started, you'll want to put in your zip code. From there you can pick from a variety of pet services including dog walking, pet sitting, overnight care, pet taxi, puppy sitting, and pet medication administration. From there, you'll need to click "Schedule service" to get to the usual questionnaire to decide what kind of services you need. Helpfully, Fetch! Pet Care allows you to make multiple selections to make sure you cover all of your pet sitting needs. Then, you'll need to put in your name and your pet(s) name(s), your home address, and finally, you'll be signed up. However, instead of showing you lists of pet sitters like we see at other sites, Fetch! Pet Care sends you an email with details within a few hours of signing up.
No list of sitters
While we couldn't see a list of Fetch! Pet Care pet sitters in our area (since only interested parties will email you), we were able to find some of the service options during our research. You can pick from 30-, 45-, or 60-minute sits, where the pet sitter comes to your home for the allotted amount of time. You can also sign up for extended sittings, which depend on the individual sitter and availability. If you want details more quickly, Fetch! Pet Care franchise locations offer direct calling to talk to someone locally about costs, though our call was not answered or returned during our research.
Costs start at $25 for a half an hour
Average prices for pet sitters start at $25 for a 30-minute sit at Fetch! Pet Care, and they will go up from there. However, the final individual costs will be determined between you and the sitter once you are contacted. There is no transparency on the cost before sitters reach out via email, which may be frustrating for those trying to browse their local options. Notably, this is a more costly option just at the starting level than we've seen at other pet sitting providers.
Meet your sitter before you decide
On the bright side, those higher costs translate to better care. Pet sitters on Fetch! Pet Care go through training courses to ensure the highest level of pet care. You are also able to meet up with your pet sitter before the first service date, so you can get to know the individual who will be visiting your home while you're away. Fetch! Pet Care also offers a service tracking app to make it easier to keep up with what's going on with your furry family members.
High scores for reliable sitters
According to our research, Fetch! Pet Care has a reliable reputation on third-party review sites, with a full "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. On top of that, Fetch! Pet Care has a competitive 4.6-star average rating on Yelp. Most customers loved the pet sitters who were sent by Fetch! Pet Care, and repeatedly used the service for ongoing pet care. However, depending on the franchise location, several customers complained about issues with reps not answering the phone and not returning calls (which we experienced as well). So, you may need to try a few Fetch! Pet Care locations to get what you need.
Competitive for its highly-trained sitters
If you don't mind the wait for pet sitters to reach out to you to get pricing, customers say this is a competitive site for finding a reliable pet sitter. Since Fetch! Pet Care offers pet medical assistance (and training) as one of the on-board options, it's great even for pet families with medically complicated loved ones (like those with feline diabetes). While we'd love to see a more reliable way to browse pet sitters rather than waiting for calls or emails, Fetch! Pet Care remains a solid choice.
Average
Bark is a database-style website that was designed specifically for pet services of all kinds. Some popular categories include dog training, pet grooming, farriers, kenneling services, and (of course) pet sitting. Bark has been around since 2014 when it got its start in the UK. Bark then launched its US services in 2016. Today there have been over 15 million services rendered throughout the company's lifetime, and it works hard to provide an open marketplace where you can connect with local pet sitters who are experts at what they do.
Put in your details before you browse
Searching for a sitter on Bark is simple. All you need to get started is your zip code. Then, you'll be able to put in your preferred pet (cat, dog, or "other"), and the kind of care you're looking for. You can pick from "daycare" which is a short stay with a sitter, "boarding" where your pet stays at a sitter's house, "house sitting" where the sitter stays at your home, or "drop-in" where the pet sitter visits your home. Finally, you'll select a general timeline for how long you need a pet sitter, what times the pet sitter needs to care for your pet, and your ideal start date. However, before you can see your results, you'll have to put in a phone number, email, and name.
Only 8 options and many weren't related
Once you complete your request form, you'll be able to see the matches in your area. To test out the database sites, we looked at pet sitters who can care for two cats in our home and are comfortable giving extra care (like insulin) to one of the animals. In our test area, we received 8 matches. However, the first two were for dog trainers, which did not seem to match our information at all. The third result was a renovation company, not a pet sitter. It is possible the matching algorithm for Bark needs a little update.
No listed prices on Bark
Regrettably, Bark works on a quote basis. So, there are no prices for pet sitters available on the platform itself. Instead, you have to wait for the providers to email you directly with a quote based on the details you provided. So, there's no transparency on what you might expect the services through Bark to cost, and there could be a long wait for the Bark pet sitters to reach out to you.
No listed guarantees
In terms of safety, it's mostly up to you to research particular pet sitters. While Bark does have details like how many times an individual or company has been hired through their platform, the number of years a pet sitter has been in business, and customer testimonials, there isn't a blanket safety or satisfaction guarantee offered by Bark as a whole. You'll have to go through the individual pet sitter to get those details.
Bark will step in to help
According to our research, Bark is a fairly reliable site despite some of the transparency issues. The company currently holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and a competitive 4.1-star average on Trustpilot. This rating comes from over 100,000 individual verified reviews. Customers praise the fast response times for individual pet sitters. There were also mentions of customers who sought help from Bark after a professional pet sitter was unreliable, and Bark helped step in to resolve the problem. However, other customers noted that Bark professionals and pet sitting companies were sending "spam" emails daily.
Best as a way to compare with other offers
Bark is a decent site in terms of customer support, but it may not be your first pick if you want lots of relevant pet sitter options in your area. There were only 8 options during our research, and 3 of those didn't match the test information provided when we completed sign-up. It would also be helpful to see the costs before Bark allows pet sitters to contact you. While you may still like to use this site to compare when you get quotes from the Bark pet sitters, you might prefer one of our higher-rated sites instead.
Average
Offering both traditional house-sitting and pet sitters alike, House Sitters America has been helping home and pet owners since 2007. The House Sitters America promise is that your pet will stay comfy in your home (no stress of boarding), and your house gets an extra layer of security while you travel. And the best part? Because the pet sitters get to stay in your home for free to care for your pets, many of them won't charge for the pet sitting services while they stay.
Enter your location and see pet sitters right away
To find a pet sitter on House Sitters America, you'll start by putting in your zip code and your projected travel dates. From there, you'll immediately see a list of local pet sitters who will be able to watch your pet (or pets) during that timeframe. You can use the filters to choose from local sitters, free sitters, farm sitters, and those who can care for different kinds of animals. Some of the options include dogs, cats, fights, birds, bunnies, chickens, farm animals, horses, turtles, and more.
20+ pet sitters for our area
In our area, we were recommended 20 different pet sitters who could take care of two cats for a two-week vacation period. Most of the top recommendations at House Sitters America were free stays as well, and there was a mix of couples, singles, and full families who were willing to watch pets locally or travel to our area to stay. The listings show all of the details for the individual pet sitters including the names and ages, the rates (if the sitters ask for any), the phone number for contact, and preferred locations.
Prices from $20-$100 per day
While many of the pet sitters on House Sitters America will work for free (since sitting in your home is a vacation for them as much as your vacation is for you), some do charge for their services. Across the prices listed on House Sitters America, we found from $20 per day up to $100 per day. The prices seem related to the skills of the individual pet sitters. For example, one high-cost pet sitter was a man who spent 26 years in a security job, and promised extra levels of protection to your home while you're gone.
ID-verified pet sitters
All of the pet sitters on House Sitters America are ID-verified and reviewed. There are also membership tiers for pet sitters to give you an idea of how long the individual or couple has been part of the House Sitters America platform and how trustworthy they are. The tiers include silver, which means the pet sitter has been part of the site for a year; gold, which means the sitter has been a trusted member for 2 years; and platinum, which means you're working with someone with 3+ years of experience pet sitting with House Sitters America. According to the FAQ, for those worried about issues arising with someone staying in your home to care for your pets, House Sitters America recommends creating a house sitting agreement (House Sitters America will provide a template), so there are no misunderstandings about costs, utilities, or broken or damaged items.
No third-party reviews
The only downside during our research was that House Sitters America didn't have any major presence on trusted third-party review sites. At the time of our review, there was no Better Business Bureau page for House Sitters America, and we were unable to find third-party reviews on sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. House Sitters America does offer its own reviews on the platform, but outside of that, there aren't any verified pet owners or homeowners who have left reviews about their pet sitter experience with the platform, which raises some questions about how popular it is compared to more widely reviewed companies.
Best for those looking for free pet sitters
If you're looking for a spot that offers free pet sitting, House Sitters America is worth a look. You're getting a two-for-one deal with most of these pet sitters as they both watch your furry family members and take care of your house for you while you travel. However, if you're looking for a reliable site used by plenty of other pet owners, you might be disappointed by the lack of verified third-party reviews. It's worth a look, especially if you plan to use one of House Sitters America's template house-sitter agreements to feel more secure, but this might not be the most reliable option for every pet owner out there.
Fair
Care is a site that specializes in caregivers of all kinds. On top of offering a database of local pet sitters, you can also find services for child care, senior care, housekeeping, and tutoring all in one convenient site. Care offers its services in 17+ countries, and whether you want a cat sitter, a dog walker, or someone to watch all of your pets around the clock, you can find plenty of pet sitters (over 65,000) through this platform.
Register for an account to see sitters
To start looking for pet sitters at Care, you just need to put in your zip code. You'll then answer a few questions to help match you with the best fit. Care needs to know how soon you need pet care, how many dogs, cats, or "other" pets you have in your household, and what kind of services you might need. Options include sitting (the pet sitter stays at your home), boarding, walking, grooming, and training. Keep in mind that you'll be asked to put in your name and email, and to set up an account before you see the pet sitter results. Finally, you'll be able to select the price range you're comfortable with, so Care will only show you results in your budget.
25+ local best matches
Regrettably, there is a paywall block for many of Care's features. Care offers a Premium access membership which allows you to message any caregiver, book a sitter at any time, get background check options, and pay online. However, if you want to just browse your results for free, you can click the "Stay limited" button which allows you to see pet caregivers in your area still and post job requests. We were shown the 25 best matches in our area, based on a request for an in-home pet sitter who is comfortable with cats and can complete medically necessary extras like caring for a diabetic cat. If we took off cost limitations, there were even more verified pet sitters in our area.
Prices for sitters from $33-$125 per day
Fees for a single pet sitter on Care are charged on a per night or hourly basis. Since we were looking for a stay-in pet sitter, we looked at the daily costs. Rates ranged from $33-$125 per night depending on the pet sitter. As for Care itself, if you're interested in the extra benefits, you can pay for the premium membership at $38.95 per month if you pay monthly, or as low as $12.95 per month if you pay annually instead.
Background checks and safety both ways
All pet sitters on Care are background-checked before you can hire them, and all providers on the platform offer transparent details and testimonials. Plus, Care has dedicated safety and support teams if something doesn't go right for you. As an added safety benefit for your pet sitter, your account will also be screened for safety to ensure that pet sitters are hired by trustworthy individuals. Plus, while all pet sitters go through background checks to be listed on Care, you can also pay extra for more detailed background checks (and the results) if you feel you need additional peace of mind.
Too many complaints, not enough service
Regrettably, despite all of the security options at Care, the site doesn't perform as well with customers. Our research shows that it currently holds a "D-" rating from the Better Business Bureau due to government actions against the business. The ratings aren't much better on other third-party review sites either. According to Trustpilot, Care holds a 2.4-star average out of 5. Some customers had trouble with being signed up for a recurring membership on Care without their knowledge, and many complained that Care charged for renewal without any notification. There are some reviews specifically about pet sitters that note sudden cancellations and no recourse from Care when issues arose.
Needs to work on its customer service
While Care sounds like a great site with tons of pet sitters and impressive background checks included in the platform, reviews show another story. With issues arising with auto payments and concerns about pet sitters canceling, the dismal reputation for this pet sitter company sets it behind the pack. While background checks and benefits keep Care from landing at the bottom of our list, it still could work harder to provide a more helpful customer experience. However, if you're interested in a site that has a competitive number of pet sitters to look through, you might still like to use Care as a database on the free membership.
Fair
Sittercity is a catch-all database website designed to help you find sitters of all kinds. Sittercity offers babysitters, nannies, child care, special needs care, senior care, and (of course) pet sitters. The company was founded in 2001, and was initially for in-home child care, but has expanded significantly since then. However, there are limitations to the kinds of pets you can choose, and it mostly relies on you putting out a pet care ad, which may be less intuitive for some pet owners.
Post a job listing or browse all sitters
There are two ways to grab a pet sitter on Sittercity. The first is the most obvious: you can click the "post a job for free" button, which will take you to a window to sign up for Sittercity and make free job postings for pet sitters to reach out to you and ask for the job (kind of like a traditional job board). The second way is to scroll to where it says "Find Pet Care Near Me", then you'll want to hit "view all cities" to open up the options for your state and local area. From there, you can browse through local pet care providers.
Missing helpful filtering to narrow the field
One downside to browsing through the list of pet sitters on Sittercity is that there are no real filters. You can use keywords to try and find pet sitters, but during our research, the keyword "cat" turned up zero pet sitters out of the 600+ that were originally listed in our local area. On the bright side, the listings that are there show what pet care types each pet sitter specializes in, listed availability, and the ability to message the pet sitter directly. However, it isn't the most intuitive way to search for pet sitters, so Sittercity may take longer to find a good match than with competitor platforms.
Costs from $10-$30 per visit
Helpfully, most of the pet sitters on Sittercity offer pricing on their profiles. It does take some clicking around to see pricing, since you have to open a pet sitter's full profile to get the details. However, we saw prices from $10-$30 per visit, depending on what is needed for the pet. Most of the pet sitters offered multiple animal types (and exotic animals too).
Multiple levels of security
To help with security and safety, Sittercity offers access to screening tools and the ability to ask for a background check or motor vehicle records for any sitter on the platform. All pet sitters are screened through the Family Watchdog database, which helps keep anyone with a criminal history off Sittercity completely. All pet sitters at Sittercity also have to complete ID verification to have a profile.
Concerns about customer service
To find Sittercity's ratings with the Better Business Bureau took some digging. Sittercity itself doesn't have a page with the BBB. Instead, we had to check out its parent company, Bright Horizons. However, the feedback for Bright Horizons is mid-tier. It only holds a "B-" rating from the BBB. Reviews on third-party sites with verified users (like Trustpilot) showed similar feedback, as the average rating for Sittercity was 3.3 stars out of 5. Many of the recent reviews complain about lackluster customer service and accounts being closed with no warning. While some recent customers praised the sitters on Sittercity, many had recurring problems with the site and its support team.
Needs to be more user-friendly
At the end of the day, you want a site that's easy to use and you don't want to spend ages looking for a good fit for a pet sitter; that's why you're using a pet sitter site in the first place. Regrettably, Sittercity just doesn't deliver on this front. It's clunky to use and takes more time than necessary to find pricing and details about the types of pets each pet sitter will watch. While it has competitive security to balance some of the negatives, you might have an easier time at some of our higher-rated sites instead.
Subpar
Wag! is a fun database website that focuses on local, trusted pet care. Whether you need walking services, drop-in visits for your pet, in-home sitters, or boarding for your furry friend, Wag! offers everything. Plus with the high-tech Wag! app, you can track everything through the onboard GPS, so you always know what's going on with your pet sitter when they're on the job. Wag! was founded in 2015, and it now offers over 450,000 pet sitters on its site.
You can't see sitters until you pay
To find a pet sitter in your area, you first select the type of service you prefer. Then, you'll type in your address, select the dates you intend to travel, and add your pets to the list. You can only add dogs and cats at this time, so more exotic pets may need a different service. Wag! will also ask you to sign up for an account before you can see the results for pet sitters in your area. Once you do that, you'll need to set up a profile for the job you're looking to hire for. You can choose to pick your own sitter or let Wag! choose for you. However, there's one snag: you'll be asked to pay for the pet sitter upfront before you get to see your options.
High upfront costs
The payment at Wag! is based on the cost of your sit (how many nights) and any special care needs. For example, we asked for pet sitting for a cat that needs medication every 12 hours as an example, and Wag! charged $39 extra for asking for pet care after 6pm. Here's the final breakdown: for a two-week vacation caring for two cats (one who needs medicine every 12 hours), Wag! priced out the total to $599.99. This includes the sit itself which was $546, the extra care fee for late night care for $39, and a booking fee of $14.99. You won't be charged until a pet sitter is confirmed for your sit, but you have to enter your payment information to proceed.
All sitters have background checks
All of the pet sitters on Wag! have been vetted through extensive background checks, so you won't have to worry about any concerning individuals on the Wag! pet sitter list. Pet sitters also have star ratings on the Wag! platform, so when you browse the options (after submitting your payment details), you'll be able to see which of the sitters who offer to take care of your furry family member has the highest rating.
Concerning problems with spam
Wag! is a bit of a mixed bag in terms of reviews. Our research shows that Wag! currently holds a "B-" rating from the Better Business Bureau due to 120 complaints filed against the business in the last three years. On top of that, Wag! only has a 3.8-star average on Trustpilot. While this isn't too bad, it has a larger range of 1-star reviews than expected. Customers who were concerned about their experiences with Wag! noted that pet sitters didn't show. Others had trouble with spam emails and with deleting accounts when they no longer wanted to use the service.
Asks for too much upfront
The bottom line is Wag! is pricey. Putting in your payment details before you see which pet sitter you're looking at is also a pretty big ask for sits that cost over $500. With other troubles like missing pet sitters or issues with spam emails, this may not be your first pick for pet sitting. Wag! may still be worth a look if you want access to their app and the security for tracking your pet sitter, but otherwise, it may be easier to find someone on one of our higher-rated pet sitter websites instead.
Poor
PetSitter is a site run by CareGuide that promises to find the next best friend for your furry family member. PetSitter has a customer base of over 1 million individuals who want specialized help in caring for their pets while away. CareGuide got started as a site that offered a place to find care online. It got started in 2013 and added PetSitter a few years ago. Other sites in the CareGuide family include ElderCare, Housekeeper, and Nanny Lane, but PetSitter is the one that focuses 100% on pets.
Sign up and make a job listing to proceed
To find a pet sitter, you just click the red "find a pet sitter now" button on the main page. You'll choose your current country from the US, United Kingdom, and Canada. Next, you'll need to add your email address and name, then create a password to join PetSitter. PetSitter will ask you which pet services you'd like your pet sitter to provide. You can pick from dog walking, pet sitting, pet grooming, overnight care, and boarding, and pet options include dogs, cats, birds, fish, and lizards. Then, PetSitter will generate a listing from the information that you provided that you can post to the site. However, before you can see anything further, you'll be encouraged to subscribe. There is a free option for using PetSitter, but it states that you can only send and receive up to 3 messages per conversation when contacting pet sitters.
Less professional feel than competitors
Once you get to listings in your area, you can see a range of individuals, their pricing, their specialties, and how close they are to your location. We saw 50+ listings for pet sitters in our area for a request that included someone who works with cats and can visit daily due to a cat's condition needing medicine every 12 hours. We were a little disappointed by the overall feel of the listings. While PetSitter offers a range of helpful details, like location, hourly rates, and more, the photos for pet sitters on the platform lack professionalism. Many come across as similar to a dating profile, which may not inspire confidence in their pet sitting skills.
Costs from $8-$20 per hour
While we asked to be shown daily rates, all of the pet sitters we were recommended on PetSitter offered hourly rates instead. These ranged from $8 per hour up to $20 per hour. On top of paying for the pet sitters on PetSitter, the site also offers a premium subscription plan. This costs $36 for one month, or up to $106 for a year. This allows you unlimited messages and calls through the platform to find a pet sitter. Or, if you want your pet sitting jobs to be featured without any ads, you can pay $71 for one month or up to $211.99 per year.
Most security is for the pet sitter
PetSitter's safety information is mostly for individuals who want to offer their pet sitting services rather than for pet owners seeking pet sitters on the platform. Though some of these helpful tips might be good for you too (like setting up an in-person interview before securing a pet sitter's services), there don't appear to be any particular security features in place to protect pet owners (like background checks), compared to other sites we've reviewed.
Recent reviews warn of scams
PetSitter itself doesn't have a page on the Better Business Bureau. Instead, we had to check on PetSitter's parent company, CareGuide. Currently, the news isn't great: CareGuide has a "C+" rating from the BBB. On third-party review sites, PetSitter has its own feedback, but the ratings are abysmally low. The average on Trustpilot is 1.5 stars out of 5. Recent reviews are all claims of scams. Customers paid for pet sitters and didn't get any services and could not find any help when reaching out to customer service. Others have messaged pet sitters on the site and never received any responses. With review after review warning of a "scam" or "shady" practices, you might want to use extreme caution when considering PetSitter (if you don't just avoid it altogether).
Not worth the scams and stress
If you felt iffy while considering the "dating profile" vibe of the pet sitter photos, and made it to the dismal ratings and concerns about scams, you probably feel the same way we do about PetSitter: it's safer to stay away. You don't want to get stuck paying for a sitter you never see, and if it's this hard to get a lead, you'd be better off spending your time securing a more reliable pet sitter elsewhere.
Continued from above...
Taking care of our furry friends is always a priority. And when you're at home, you know you're giving your pet the best possible care. But what about when you're away? Some trips are too long for doggie car rides or too stressful for homebody kitties. So, when you enjoy your relaxing getaway, you want to know that your four-legged family members are safe, happy, and cared for with the same love that you show them yourself. That's where professional pet sitters come in.
Finding a pet sitter these days isn't the same as hoping someone in your neighborhood can stop by and check on Mr. Whiskers. Professional pet sitters are their own growing industry, and there are over 35,000 different pet sitters around the US. According to recent statistics, 99% of all pet sitters independently own their business, so you will be working with one sitter rather than trusting your home to multiple people.
There are many different types of pet sitters out there, including those who have experience with particular kinds of pets. You will often find sitters for common pets like dogs or cats, but there are some specialists for other exotic pets or even farm animals if you've got a few. Some pet sitters have additional training as well, like certifications in animal behavior or first aid. This is especially helpful if you have a pet with a medical condition like feline diabetes or IBD that may require more in-depth care than an average pet.
Hiring a pet sitter should be seamless. That's why there are tons of sites out there that allow professional pet sitters to list their services and make it much easier for you to sift through the list of specialists and fees for pet sitters in your area. Database-style sites are one of the top ways to hire an individual pet sitter that fits your furry family member's needs. This way, you can compare pet sitters side by side, and find the best selection without picking through Google listings or cold-calling numbers you find in ads.
But if you're not sure where you and your pet can find the best fit, don't worry - we've done the digging for you. Here are a few factors that can help you make your final decision:
To help you find the best care so you can enjoy your next vacation worry-free, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the most popular pet sitters available today. This way, you can fly, drive, or sail with the knowledge that your precious four-legged friend is cared for, played with, and not lonely back at home. And you can rest easy knowing your cat, dog, bunny or beyond is safe at home waiting to cuddle you when you get back!
Compare Any 2 Products
Top Products.
Top Reviews.
Top Consumer Reviews.
Reviews
Browse through thousands of reviews.
Social Media
Like us? Follow us! We'd love to have you join our community.
Newsletter
Stay up to date with the latest reviews. We'll keep you informed, and we'll never sell your information to anyone.
