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Your step-by-step guide to launching a professional pet sitting business — in the right order.

Before your first paid booking

The essential checklist

1

Get your contracts ready before your first client

A signed contract before service starts is the difference between a professional business and a liability waiting to happen. Use File → Save As for each new client — never overwrite your master template.

Get the Complete Bundle — $39 →
2

Get insured — this is not optional

Once you accept payment for pet care you are personally liable if something goes wrong. Insurance costs less than one client visit per month and protects your personal assets.

See insurance options →
3

Set your rates and create a rate card

Research what other sitters in your area charge. Average US rates: $25–$35 per 30-min drop-in, $45–$75 per day, $75–$100 overnight. Add 25–50% for holidays. Your rate card is included in the bundle.

4

List on Rover to get your first clients

Rover is the fastest way to get your first paying bookings while you build your own client base. Creating a profile is free.

See Rover guide →
5

Set up a payment method

Never accept cash only — it is unprofessional and leaves no record. Set up Venmo Business, PayPal Business, or Square (all free). Always invoice clients using your invoice template.

6

Set up a Google Business Profile — free

A free listing that makes you show up when pet owners search "pet sitter near me." Takes 15 minutes at business.google.com. Generates free local leads forever.

7

Ask every client for a review

After every successful booking send a short follow-up and ask for a Google or Rover review. Reviews are the most powerful marketing tool a pet sitter has.

Using your documents — the workflow

1Send the new client intake form first — collect all pet and owner information before the first meeting
2Hold a meet and greet — meet the pet, confirm all details, answer questions
3Send the service-specific contract — dog, cat, house sitting etc. Both parties fill in their sections and sign digitally by typing their full name
4Send the emergency vet authorization if not already included in the contract
5Send your rate card and welcome letter — confirms pricing and sets expectations
6After every visit — send the pet visit report card to the owner
7Keep your client communication log updated — internal record of all instructions received

Get everything in one download

The complete bundle covers steps 1 and 3 entirely — all 16 documents ready to use from day one.

Get the Complete Bundle — $39

PetSitterVault documents are general templates provided as a reference and form-building tool only. They do not constitute legal, business, or professional advice of any kind. PetSitterVault accepts no liability for any outcome arising from their use. Laws vary by state — consult a licensed attorney before relying on any document for legal purposes.