How to Start a Pet Sitting Business: Step-by-Step Guide & Best Practices

Quick Summary

Ready to move beyond casual pet sitting and build something organized and sustainable? This guide breaks down every key step, from choosing services and setting pricing to handling legal basics, attracting clients, and delivering consistent care. It also shows how the right tools can simplify bookings, communication, and pet management, highlighting Scritches as an all-in-one platform built for solo pet care providers.

Ready to Launch Your Pet Sitting Business?

If you love caring for pets, starting a pet sitting business can be deeply rewarding. However, it’s more than just spending time with animals. It demands a shift from casual favors or just doing it for the fun into a professional, structured operation built on trust, consistency, and reliability. 

How do you make that transition? This Scritches guide walks you through practical, actionable steps, so you can launch a pet sitting business that runs smoothly, earns client confidence, and grows sustainably.

But first…

Why Listen to Us?

At Scritches, we understand solo pet care providers and the challenges of turning a hobby into a full-time business. We’ve helped countless pet sitters organize bookings, manage clients, and grow their services. So, we understand what it takes to build a successful pet sitting business from the ground up. We’ve shared these valuable insights in this guide.  

What is a Pet Sitting Business? 

Pet sitting can be a fun hobby for people who love spending time with animals. But as a business, it becomes a professional service where you care for pets while their owners are away. A pet sitting business often includes components such as:

• Daily Care: Feeding, walking, playtime, and monitoring pets’ health and behavior.

• Special Services: Administering medication, overnight stays, or additional grooming tasks.

• Scheduling and Visits: Coordinating visits for multiple clients with consistent timing.

• Client Communication: Providing updates, photos, and reports to pet owners.

• Administrative Tasks: Managing bookings, invoicing, contracts, and records.

Compared to casual care, a pet sitting business requires structured services, clear pricing, legal compliance, and reliable client communication. You are accountable for pet safety, routines, and overall well-being, often serving multiple clients at the same time.

Why Transition from Casual to Professional Pet Sitting?

Turning pet sitting from a hobby into a professional business comes with clear advantages that make the extra effort worthwhile:

• Credibility: Clients take you seriously when you operate formally.

• Consistent Income: Structured pricing and scheduling create predictable earnings.

• Scalability: A clear system lets you take more clients or expand services.

• Efficiency: Organized bookings, payments, and communication save time.

• Client Trust: Reliable care builds long-term relationships.

• Protection: Contracts and insurance safeguard both you and the pets in your care.

Professional pet sitting lets you provide better care while building a sustainable, respected business. Next, let’s see how to get started. 

How to Start a Pet Sitting Business in 6 Steps

Step 1: Decide What Services You Will Offer

When you’re starting your pet sitting business, the first step is deciding which services you'll offer. You likely already know the basics, such as dog walking and overnight stays, but it's time to think about how you can package these services in a way that suits your skills and your clients' needs. 

Ask yourself:

What types of pets do you enjoy working with?

Are you drawn to dogs, cats, or maybe small animals? This will help you decide whether to focus on a specific type of pet or offer a range of services.

What additional services can you offer?

Think about what could set you apart. Will you provide medication administration for pets with special needs? Or perhaps offer training sessions or pet grooming as part of your package?

Be sure to define each service clearly with a description of what's included. This ensures there’s no confusion down the road and keeps your business running smoothly.

TIP: As you grow, you can always add or refine your services based on client demand. Start with the basics and adjust as you better understand what your clients need.

Step 2: Handle the Legal and Admin Basics

Starting your pet sitting business requires some legal and administrative groundwork. While pet sitting is a service-based business, there are essential legal steps to ensure you're operating smoothly and protecting yourself.

Business Registration, Insurance, and Taxes

First, you’ll need to officially register your business. This typically involves choosing a business name and registering it with the appropriate local authorities. You may also need a business license, depending on your location. 

Insurance is equally important. Pet sitting involves caring for animals, and accidents can happen. Liability insurance will protect you if a pet gets hurt or causes damage during your care. Also, make sure to keep track of your income and expenses for tax purposes, using accounting software or a simple spreadsheet.

Contracts and Liability Waivers

A well-drafted contract is key to outlining your services, payment terms, and responsibilities. It should also include a liability waiver, protecting both you and your clients in case something goes wrong. These documents set clear expectations from the start and help avoid misunderstandings.

Record-Keeping for Clients and Pets

Accurate record-keeping is essential, from pet health information to service history. Keeping everything organized can be a challenge, but tools like Scritches make it easy. With Scritches, you can store pet details, contracts, and schedules all in one place, ensuring your business runs efficiently and professionally.

TIP: As your business grows, using a tool like Scritches for client and pet record-keeping can save you time and help you stay organized. 

Step 3: Set Your Pricing and Availability

Once you’ve defined your services, the next step is determining your pricing and availability. Doing this early ensures you're making a profit while also being fair to your clients.

Setting Your Rates

Start by researching the local market to see what other pet sitters charge for similar services. Prices can vary depending on location, service type, and the experience you bring. 

Consider offering different packages, such as a standard dog walk, overnight stays, or pet care for longer periods. Pricing should reflect the time commitment and any special services you offer. Don’t forget to factor in your costs, like travel, insurance, and supplies, when setting rates.

To simplify this step, check our Complete Guide to Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Rates. We also have a dedicated Wag Fees Calculator to help you determine your real earnings after service fees.

Defining Your Availability

Determine how many clients you can comfortably handle per day and create boundaries around your working hours. Overbooking yourself can lead to stress, poor service, and burnout. Make sure to block off personal time and avoid taking on too many clients at once.

TIP: Start simple and adjust your rates and availability as you get a better feel for the business. Don't hesitate to tweak your pricing or schedule based on client demand and your personal limits.

Step 4: Get the Right Tools and Systems in Place

Once you've defined your services, pricing, and availability, the next step is setting up the tools and systems that will help you run your pet sitting business smoothly.  

Booking System 

A reliable booking system is important for managing appointments and keeping track of your schedule. It should allow clients to book services online, view available time slots, and make payments easily. A good system will also send automatic confirmations and reminders to prevent missed appointments.

Client Communication

Clear communication with clients helps build trust and ensures that expectations are met. You should use a system that allows you to message clients, send updates, and keep notes on each pet’s preferences and needs. Such a system should also store pet details securely so you can access them when needed.

Pet Management

You’ll need a way to track each pet's specific needs. This includes details like dietary restrictions, medication, behavior notes, and emergency contacts. Managing these details ensures that you provide the best care for every pet you look after.

There are tools that can help with individual parts of this step. For example:

• A calendar app, like Google Calendar, can help you see your schedule at a glance.

• A booking tool like Calendly or Acuity lets clients request times without back-and-forth messages.

• A spreadsheet can help you track prices, clients, and available slots.

These tools work well on their own, but they can require more setup and manual updates. This is where Scritches comes in. 

Introducing Scritches for Pet Care Business Owners

Scritches is an all-in-one platform that integrates booking, client communication, and pet management in one place. With Scritches for pet sitters, you can: 

• Manage your schedule and avoid double bookings

• Store detailed pet information and client notes

• Collect and track payments and invoices

• Communicate efficiently with clients

• Send comprehensive report cards to keep clients apprised of developments

Doing all these from a single platform reduces the time spent juggling different tools and ensures your business runs efficiently.

TIP: Invest in a system like Scritches early on to avoid administrative headaches later. The right tools will not only save you time but also help you deliver a better experience for your clients and their pets.

Step 5: Attract Your First Clients

Building your client base takes time, but there are several ways to get started and attract attention. 

First, set up an online presence. Create profiles on pet sitting platforms, local directories, or social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. Use these platforms to showcase your services, share client testimonials, and post photos or videos of you working with pets. 

Local advertising is also effective. Post flyers in pet stores, veterinary offices, or community centers. Join local pet owner groups online, and network with others who might need your services. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful tools in this industry, so encourage satisfied clients to refer you to their friends and family.

Another important aspect of attracting clients is having a professional booking system. When potential clients can easily see your availability and book services online, it creates a more seamless experience and builds trust. 

TIP: A professional booking page provided by Scritches can increase client trust and conversion, making the entire process easy for both you and your clients.

Step 6: Deliver a Great Experience and Retain Clients

Attracting clients is just the start, you need to retain them and make them repeat customers. 

Providing excellent pet care is, of course, the most important factor in client retention. Make sure you’re attentive to each pet’s needs, from following their daily routines to taking extra care of any special requirements like medication or dietary restrictions. Clients will appreciate your attention to detail and your commitment to their pets’ well-being.

Reliability is also key. Arriving on time, following through on promises, and being flexible when unexpected situations arise will set you apart from the competition. To make the process even easier, Scritches can help streamline follow-up, rebooking, and service reminders.  

TIP: Build a relationship with your clients. Personal touches, like remembering their pet’s favorite activities, will make them more likely to return and recommend you to others.

Best Practices for Starting a Pet Sitting Business

Following these practices will help ensure a smooth start and build a strong foundation for your pet sitting business.

• Build Trust Early: Offer free consultations to meet clients and their pets. This helps establish rapport and ensures they feel comfortable leaving their pets in your care.

• Be Flexible: While defining your services is important, offering flexibility for last-minute bookings or special requests (like medication administration) will set you apart from the competition.

• Know Each Pet's Needs: Take notes on each pet's specific care requirements, habits, and preferences. Over time, this allows you to offer a personalized experience for every pet.

• Use Social Media: Use social media to share updates and photos (with permission) of the pets you care for. This builds trust and showcases your commitment to pet care.

• Prioritize Pet Safety: Stay up-to-date on pet first aid and have emergency contact information for each client’s vet. Consider getting certified in pet CPR for added peace of mind.

• Track Your Finances: Set up an accounting system early on to manage income, expenses, and taxes. This will keep you organized as your business grows.

Build a Pet Sitting Business That Lasts with Scritches

Starting a pet sitting business takes more than a love for animals. It requires clear services, fair pricing, solid systems, and a commitment to delivering reliable care. By following the steps in this guide, you can build a professional operation that clients trust, made even easier with the right tools, like Scritches.

Scritches is built for solo pet care providers who want to stay organized, manage bookings, track pet details, and deliver a polished client experience from day one. It’s easy to use with user-friendly features across both the client and business owner divides. 

Get started with Scritches today for free and build your pet sitting business with confidence.