Pet sitting and dog walking rates can vary greatly between service providers who provide essentially the same exact service. There are a lot of reasons for the variations; some pet sitters work ‘under the table’ and don’t claim their income, some are uninsured, some just don’t charge what they’re worth because they think by undercutting the competition they’ll gain all of the business.
I recently compared the 2015 rates of professional (as in insured, bonded, legitimate businesses) pet sitters in the Capital District. I reviewed the websites of twenty eight different businesses; Purrfect Pet Sitting included. Businesses were all in Rensselaer, Saratoga, Albany, Schenectady or Columbia counties.
What did I find?
For vacation care the average rate for a 20-30 minute visit is $18.86.
For vacation care the average rate for a one hour visit is $31.90.
For midday dog walking the average rate for a 20-30 minute visit is $18.06.
Rates varied greatly between service providers (as I expected) with the least expensive pet sitter coming in at $15 per 20-30 minute visit and the highest coming in at $25 per visit.
The least expensive midday dog walking visit was $15 and the highest was $25.
Want to compare 2015 to 2014 rates? Click here.
So, given the vast difference in prices, how exactly should you choose the best pet sitter?
Ask your friends and neighbors and check with your veterinarian. Do an online search and check for reviews on places like Yelp! or Angie’s List. Discuss your needs with the potential pet sitters you find and when you find one you’re comfortable with schedule a time to meet them. All professional pet sitters will want to meet with you and your pet before they commit to caring for them to be sure everyone involved is comfortable with the arrangement.
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