Pet Sitting & Dog Boarding

What it typically pays

Public sources report $30 to $65 per night for pet sitting & dog boarding. Boarding $30-$65 per night; house sitting $40-$75 per night; drop-in visits $15-$30 (Gridwise 2026 summary of Rover data). Rover fee 20%. Major metros run 1.5-2x. Prices vary by city and by how the work is packaged. The launch checklist includes a pricing step so you set yours on purpose, not by guessing.

What it costs to start

Expect about $0 to $200 before the first job. Estimate (no single source): crate, baby gate, extra bowls, enzyme cleaner; platform background-check fee varies The basics:

• Crate and baby gates
• Spare leash and bowls
• Enzyme cleaner
• A cleared calendar
• Camera phone for twice-daily updates

How fast the first dollar comes

People commonly report a first paid job within 7 to 21 days of starting, when they follow the checklist below in order. The fastest route is almost always someone you already know.

Where the first customers are

• Rover with an intro rate and a short video tour of your fenced yard or space
• Ask 3 local vets and groomers to keep your cards at the front desk
• Holiday-weekend posts in neighborhood groups 4 weeks before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and July 4

Rules, permits and risks

• Home insurance rarely covers boarding; check your lease or HOA (many prohibit it) and get pet-sitter liability insurance
• Local kennel licensing often kicks in above 3-4 dogs at a time
• Dog fights and escapes: meet-and-greet every dog and take one household at a time until experienced
• Income is taxable whether or not you receive a 1099; set aside roughly 25-30% (federal income tax plus 15.3% self-employment tax) and pay quarterly estimates if you expect to owe $1,000+ (IRS Self-Employed Tax Center).

Launch checklist

1. Confirm your lease or HOA allows it and your household is on board
2. Dog-proof one room and the yard; buy a crate and a gate
3. Set up Rover boarding and house sitting with a 15% intro rate and a photo tour
4. Meet-and-greet every first-time dog; decline anything reactive
5. Board 3 dogs from friends or neighbors at intro rates for reviews
6. Ask vets and groomers to keep your cards; post in neighborhood groups
7. Send owners 2 photo updates a day; that is the whole product
8. Block holidays early and charge a holiday premium
9. Buy pet-sitter liability insurance once you have 5 reviews
10. Track nights per month; raise price when you are booked 70%+
11. Add drop-in visits and cat sitting to fill gaps

Open as a checklist you can tick off

Templates

Replace the [brackets] with your details and send.

Honest caveats

• Your home becomes a kennel: hair, noise, accidents
• Holiday demand is where the money is, so you work when others vacation
• Ceiling limited by how many dogs you can safely host