What Does a Teenage Pet Sitter do? 

As a pet sitter, you’ll spend the majority of your time taking care of a pet, or pets when their owners have left their home for quite a bit of time. A homeowner can either give their pet to the pet sitter, or the pet sitter can come to their homes to check on the pet every so often. A pet sitter will ensure the overall health of pets when the owner is away, and this includes feeding, grooming, and taking care of their general needs. You will be spending a lot of time with animals, so it’s good to be a fan of animals and you are not allergic or sensitive to animals. This will also help you take the job more seriously, as if you are a fan of animals, you can sympathize better with the pet owner. If you do not take this job seriously, and forget to care for the pet, they can easily die and you will be in huge trouble with the pet’s owner.

How Much Does a Teenage Pet Sitter Get Paid?

As a pet sitter, you can expect to earn somewhere between $15-$20 dollars per day. The biggest issue with being a pet sitter is that there is limited potential to how much you can get promoted. A pet sitter is self-employed, so you can’t get promoted. The only way to get more money as a plant sitter is by working with more pet owners. But nevertheless, it’s a great way to earn experience especially if you’re planning on becoming a veterinarian, or working with animals in general. It will also be great experience for your resume, as someone gave their pet to you for you to take care of, and that shows how responsible of a person you are.

How Can I Get Started as a Teenage Pet Sitter?

1. Make sure that you speak to your parent(s) before trying to become a teen pet sitter.  Doing so we’ll ensure your safety and they’ll likely be able to help you in your efforts.
2. Before you begin, you’ll need to do some research on general pets. Pets can have very specific needs, so it’s good to have a general understanding of pets before you get a job as a pet sitter. If you currently own a pet, still do not skip this step. Spend time researching on the internet to research on cats, dogs, birds, and any other animal you may sit for.
3. Find your local veterinarian. If an emergency happens with the pet, it’s good to know where to go when that happens. It’s a simple step that can take you 10 minutes that can save a pet’s life, and therefore can save you from a lot of trouble. This can be done with a simple google search.  You may never even need to speak with a vet, but it’s good to have one in case you need them.
4. Find a job. We recommend using Craigslist as a resource for finding positions like a pet sitter, since homeowners don’t have access to huge resources for commercial job finding. You can also try putting up posters in your neighborhood, asking if anyone needs a pet sitter. Make a simple, non-invasive poster that can be attached to power poles, or traffic light poles. Tape them on, and you will get a phone call soon.
5. Once you’ve found a few positions, apply. Whether it’s applying online or applying in person, you should give them a reference. People want to find really trustworthy pet sitters, as they don’t want their pets to be badly treated when they are away. A reference will reinforce your statement that you are really responsible and trustworthy, because someone will back up your claims. Your teacher can provide a really good reference, as they can write a letter about how great of a student you are. Of course, you have to be in good relations with your teacher when you ask them to provide a reference.
6. Congrats, you’re officially a plant sitter. You may not like it at times, but especially if you’re going into a career path being a veterinarian or a zookeeper, this can provide amazing experience for your future job. Have fun on the job, and don’t give up!

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Helpful Resources

• Craigslist.org:  Another website where you can find various pet sitter jobs, but we recommend you try to work with people in your area that you already know personally.