How To Become a Pet Sitter in The UK 2023

To become a pet sitter in the UK, you will need to sign up for a platform that connects sitters with pet owners. Pet sitters in the UK also need insurance and experience with animals in order to successfully land pet-sitting jobs. In this article, we will walk you through how to become a pet sitter in the UK 2023. We will cover the exact steps you need to take as well as the best places to find pet sitting jobs.

How to become a pet sitter in the UK

Pet sitting is one of the best side hustles to start in the UK if you enjoy spending time with animals and have a few hours to spare each week. Our pet sitting guide will show you exactly how to get started with this adorable side hustle idea in 2023.

If pet sitting isn’t the side hustle for you, check out our list of the best passive side hustle ideas in 2023 for easy passive income.

Step 1: Sign up for a pet sitting website

The easiest way to become a pet sitter in the UK is to join a pet sitting website. These websites allow pet owners to list jobs so that pet sitters can apply directly. It is possible to browse through vacancies and find a job that fits your availability and experience.

Pet sitting websites also categorize jobs by animal type, care needs, and the duration of pet sitting that is required. That means that whether you’re able to walk and feed pets or just watch over them for an hour, there is a job for you!

Here are a few pet sitting websites to consider. It is a good idea to sign up for a few so that you can increase your chances of finding the perfect job.

Trusted House Sitters - Best pet sitting website for global pet sitting jobs

Trusted House Sitters is a house sitting and pet sitting website that allows you to travel the world for free by looking after people’s pets. This website is ideal for pet sitters that want to see the world or bag a free holiday or two. You can find jobs from around the world in countries such as Cyprus, Australia, and Japan.

Anyone can sign up to Trusted House Sitters as a pet sitter in the UK. However, you will need to pay a monthly subscription to browse through jobs. The website also provides a yearly membership option that works out cheaper.

Trusted House Sitters does not pay sitters for their services. Instead, sitters are given free accommodation in some of the most breathtaking travel destinations.

Rover.com - Best UK pet sitting website with well-paid pet sitting jobs

Rover.com is the best website for high-paying pet sitting jobs in the UK. The website provides pet sitters with the tools they need to land the perfect jobs including The Rover Guarantee which includes up to £25,000 in vet care reimbursement.

Pet sitters can use the Rover app to manage their availability and pick up jobs when they become available. It is also possible to specify what type of pet care services you can provide as well as which type of pets you are able to care for.

Payments are made directly to your bank account and it is possible to be as flexible as you like. Anyone can sign up to Rover and start getting paid to look after pets. Pet sitters on Rover can earn an average of £25 per hour and you can take as many jobs as you like.

Pawshake - Best pet sitting website for full-time pet sitters

Pawshake is a great pet sitting website for animal lovers who want to start a pet sitting business in the UK. Similar to Rover, Pawshake connects pet sitters with local owners and allows sitters to get paid for looking after animals. The main difference between the two sites is that Pawshake caters to longer-term pet care, which is ideal for those who want to make pet sitting their full-time job.

It is possible to find pet care jobs that last weeks or to start your own pet daycare business through Pawshake. The platform is easy to use and allows anyone to sign up as a sitter. However, owners get the final say over who they hire to look after their pets.

Pawshake is UK based and operates in most major cities around the country. To sign up, submit a free application form and create a profile that will attract pet owners. The key to being successful on Pawshake is to maintain good communication and to stay active on the platform.

Step 2: Create a profile

After choosing a pet sitting website to sign up to, the next step to becoming a pet sitter in the UK is to create your public profile.

Owners look for sitters who are friendly, experienced and flexible. Make sure that your profile reflects this by adding a chatty introduction, writing about your experience with animals and showing that you understand the varying needs of different pets.

One of the best ways to make your profile stand out is to include pictures of you with animals. This could be your own pets or images of you with your friend’s pets. Including these pictures is a great way to show pet owners that you have some experience and that you genuinely enjoy spending time with pets.

When you create a profile, you will be asked to set your availability. Make sure that you are free on the days that you set to avoid any cancellations.

You will also be asked to specify the types of pet care that you can offer. Only offer services that you are 100% comfortable with and know how to do. For beginner’s, dog walking and pet feeding is a good place to start.

Step 3: Apply for pet sitting jobs

The next step to becoming a pet sitter in the UK will vary depending on which website you choose to use. Some websites ask you to pay a subscription fee or go through an account verification process before applying for jobs.

After completing any of the above, the next step is to start applying for pet sitting gigs. Apply to as many as possible to maintain good communication with owners to increase your chances of success.

On most websites, pet owners are given the final say over which pet sitter is hired. You may receive questions from owners about your experience and availability. Answer all questions quickly and in as much detail as possible.

Step 4: Start pet sitting and get paid

The final step to becoming a pet sitter in the UK is to land your first job and get paid. You may need to apply for several pet-sitting jobs before you are successful.

Once you have completed your first job and received a positive review, it will be easier to land further pet-sitting gigs. The key is to stay active on the pet sitting websites, maintain good communication with pet owners and to offer the best pet care services to receive 5-star reviews.

After completing your first job, you will be able to get paid for your pet sitting. Every platform differs in how sitters get paid. Some pet sitting websites allow you to withdraw money at any time whereas others have a minimum withdrawal limit that must be met.

To get paid for your pet sitting services, you will need to connect a valid bank account to your account.

Growing your pet sitting business with social media

One way to attract more clients and turn your pet sitting side hustle into a full-time business is to advertise your services on social media. TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are all great platforms to showcase your pet care skills and attract owners who may not be signed up to pet sitting websites.

Top tip: If you choose to use multiple platforms to find pet sitting jobs, make sure to keep track of bookings. It is easy to overlap different gigs when using multiple platforms to find jobs. Some owners are okay with their animals interacting with other pets that you may be caring for but, this is not always the case.

Do you need a license to be a pet sitter in the UK?

No, you do not need a license to be a pet sitter in the UK. It is possible to find jobs on social media or pet-sitting websites without a specific license or qualification. To become a pet sitter without a license helps to have some experience in caring for animals which could include looking after pets of your own.

However, some pet owners may prefer to hire individuals who are licensed or qualified in animal care. This would usually be the case for pets that are sick or require very specific care. To look after sick animals, you may need a license that allows you to administer medication. You may also need a license to provide boarding for pets, which involves looking after pets overnight.

Common licenses that are held by professional pet sitters include a Boarding for Cats or Dogs license, a Dog Day Care license, a Kennels License, and a Catteries license. You may also need to apply for a business license if pet sitting becomes your full-time income source.

Before getting a license, consider whether it is 100% necessary for the type of pet care that you wish to provide. Licenses can be expensive to obtain and they are not a requirement of most pet sitting websites.

How much do pet sitters get paid in the UK?

The average pet sitter in the UK earns around £25 per hour. However, the exact amount that you could earn from pet sitting will depend on the type of care service that you provide, the individual needs of the pets, your level of experience as a pet sitter, and the type of pets that you care for. Pet sitters on the upper end of the scale can earn up to £100 per hour to provide specialist services that require knowledge and experience.

High earning pet sitters in the UK typically have a lot of experience or can provide specialist services that are difficult to find. The best way to maximize your earnings as a pet sitter is to provide a unique selling point that sets you apart from other pet carers. Perhaps you have specific knowledge about a certain breed or you are able to train pets as well as looking after them.

Pet owners are often willing to pay more for experts who can offer top-rated care services for their beloved pets.

When trying to work out how much pet sitters in the UK get paid, it is also worth mentioning platform fees. Some pet sitting websites will take a percentage of your earnings as a fee for using the website. This is usually deducted automated when you withdraw earnings to your bank account.

How to become a pet sitter in the UK - Conclusion

Becoming a pet sitter in the UK is as easy as signing up for a pet sitting website and applying for local jobs. You do not need any specific qualifications or licenses to be a UK pet sitter however, it helps to have experience with animals. In this article, we have covered the step by step process of how to become a pet sitter in the UK as well as some of the best pet sitting websites to use.

Pet sitting is an excellent side hustle idea that can easily become a full-time business if you manage to land enough jobs. To be successful, provide great communication to owners, offer amazing care services and obtain 5-star reviews for your profile.

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FAQs

It is possible to become a dog sitter in the UK without any qualifications. However, you may need qualifications if you plan on setting up a dog kennel or boarding business. Kennels need to a kennel license and dog boarding businesses need to obtain a Dog boarding license to operate in the UK.
The best way to become a pet sitter with no experience in the UK is to sign up to a free pet sittig website that allows anyone to apply for local pet sitting jobs. These websites accept anyone who loves to care for animals and can provide a few hours of care per week.
You do not need insurance to become a pet sitter in the UK if you use platforms that provide insurance on your behalf. However, if you choose to get jobs outside of a pet sitting platform or use a platform that does not provide any cover, it is wise to get pet sitting insurance.

How To Become a Pet Sitter in The UK 2023