How to Start Pet Sitting While Traveling for Free

Is pet sitting while traveling really a great way to see the world while saving money? We can tell you from experience—yes, it absolutely is!

We’ve been pet sitting for over three years, and for the past year, we’ve been doing it full-time. We no longer pay rent, and we’ve stayed in incredible homes while caring for adorable pets. With more than 30 reviews on TrustedHouseSitters, we’ve learned how to make this lifestyle work, and we want to share everything we’ve discovered so you can do it too.

If you love traveling but don’t want to spend a fortune on accommodation, pet sitting for travelers might be the perfect solution for you. Imagine exploring new cities, staying in beautiful homes, and cuddling adorable pets—all while saving money on places to stay.

In this post, we’ll share everything you need to know about pet sitting, from how it works to how you can get started based on our personal experience after more than three years of doing it.

To clarify, this is something we do as a hobby, not as a job. That’s one of the things we love about it—being part of a community of people who enjoy traveling and caring for pets.

Let’s get started!

1. What is Pet Sitting?

Pet sitting means temporarily caring for someone else’s pet while they are away. Instead of boarding their pets at a kennel, owners prefer having a pet sitter stay in their home to ensure their pets feel comfortable and cared for.

Pet sitting while traveling is a great way to explore new places affordably while spending time with animals. As a pet sitter, your responsibilities include feeding, walking, playing, and providing companionship to the pets according to the owner’s instructions.

For travelers, pet sitting while traveling is a win-win situation: you get free accommodation while enjoying the company of furry friends, and pet owners have peace of mind knowing their pets are in good hands.

2. What Do You Need to Be a Pet Sitter?

There are no official certifications required to start pet sitting while traveling, but since you’ll be responsible for someone’s beloved pet, it’s important to have the right mindset. You should:

• Enjoy caring for animals (dogs, cats, rabbits, and sometimes even exotic pets).
• Be responsible, reliable, and able to follow instructions.
• Keep the home tidy and respect the owner’s space.
• Be comfortable with the pet’s needs, whether it’s giving medication, sticking to a feeding routine, or handling an energetic dog on a walk.

3. Is There a High Demand for Pet Sitters?

Absolutely! Pet sitting while traveling offers opportunities year-round in both big cities and remote locations.. I primarily use TrustedHouseSitters, one of the most well-known platforms for house and pet sitting, and I see new listings posted daily across different countries and seasons.

Whether you want to explore Canada, Europe, Australia, or other destinations, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to match your travel plans.

4. What Are the Duties of a Pet Sitter?

The duties of a pet sitter vary based on the pet and the owner’s needs. Generally, your responsibilities will include:

• Sending updates (photos/videos) to reassure the owners.
• Feeding the pets and providing fresh water.
• Taking dogs on walks or playing with cats.
• Administering medications if needed.
• Cleaning litter boxes or backyard spaces.

Since you’re staying in someone’s home, you might also be asked to water plants, take out the trash, or bring in the mail. Always read the listing carefully to make sure you’re comfortable with the requirements.

5. Benefits of Pet Sitting While Traveling

If you’re considering pet sitting while traveling, here are some of the main benefits:

• Save money on accommodation – Stay in beautiful homes for free instead of paying for hotels or rentals.
• Enjoy a homely experience – Get access to a full kitchen, laundry, and comfortable space while traveling.
• Explore new places – Find opportunities in cities or small towns you wouldn’t normally visit.
• Spend time with animals – If you love pets but can’t have one of your own, this is a great way to enjoy their company.
• Connect with a global community – Meet fellow pet sitters and like-minded travelers along the way.

For me, pet sitting while traveling has been an amazing way to explore new destinations affordably while enjoying the companionship of pets. Plus, I’ve learned so much about different pet care routines, which I now apply to my own cat, Corita.

6. Which Platform to Use for Pet Sitting While Traveling?

If you’re interested in pet sitting while traveling, the best way to find opportunities is through a reliable platform. I personally use TrustedHouseSitters, and after more than three years of experience, we keep renewing our membership because it’s absolutely worth it.

Here’s how you can start pet sitting while traveling using TrustedHouseSitters:

1. Visit the TrustedHouseSitters website
2. Decide how you want to participate – You can register as a pet sitter, a pet owner looking for sitters, or both.
3. Create an account
4. Choose the membership plan that fits your profile – The platform operates on an annual membership basis, allowing unlimited pet sitting opportunities worldwide.
   *Pricing varies, so check the latest rates. We paid 219 CAD this year for our membership.

Once you sign up, you’ll need to complete your pet sitter profile to increase your chances of getting selected:

• Profile details – Include basic personal information such as your occupation, date of birth, and whether you’ll be traveling solo or with a partner.
• About yourself – Share your motivation for pet sitting, an engaging introduction, and any photos of you caring for animals in the past.
• Your experience – Even if you’ve only taken care of friends’ or family’s pets, include those experiences here. This helps pet owners trust you.
• Your preferences – Indicate the locations where you’d like to pet sit. If you’re flexible, you’ll have more opportunities to choose from.

Setting up your profile properly takes time, but pet sitting while traveling is a competitive space, and a well-crafted profile can make a huge difference. Take your time, highlight your experience, and make sure your personality shines through—this is what will help pet owners trust you with their beloved pets.

If you’re ready to start your journey, you can sign up for TrustedHouseSitters here and begin applying for exciting pet sitting opportunities today!

7. How to Choose the Best Pet Sitting Opportunities

If you’re flexible with locations, you can filter listings based on your travel preferences. For example, I work remotely, so I set up alerts for Ontario and listings with cats. That way, I receive notifications whenever a relevant opportunity is posted.

Before applying, carefully read the listing to make sure it’s a good fit. Check details like pet responsibilities, location, and duration.

Remember that this platform allows you to coordinate only the contact with the pet owner. Still, you are responsible for getting your documents to travel to the place and buy your tickets, visas and everything necessary.

8. How to Apply for a Listing and Increase Your Chances of Being Accepted

Once you find a pet sitting opportunity that interests you, it’s important to apply quickly—some listings receive many applications within hours. To improve your chances of being selected, follow these tips:

• Read the listing carefully. Pay close attention to the type of pets, responsibilities, and any special care instructions.
• Make sure you meet the requirements. If everything aligns with your experience and comfort level, proceed with the application.
• Personalize your application. Don’t send a generic message. As a pet owner myself, I loved when sitters addressed Corita by name—it showed they truly cared. Since then, I’ve applied the same approach when reaching out to homeowners.
• Be polite and demonstrate responsibility. Show that you understand the pet’s needs and that you’ve carefully read their instructions.
• Connect with their profile. Mention details from the pet owner’s listing to show you’ve taken the time to learn about their pet.
• Offer flexibility. Suggest a video call or, if you’re nearby, an in-person visit to discuss details. (See item 9 for key questions to ask.)
• Only apply if you are 100% sure you can commit. During our first experience as pet owners, a sitter accepted our listing and later canceled, leaving us scrambling to find a replacement. I wouldn’t consider that person again, and most owners likely feel the same.
• Respond quickly. If a pet owner replies to your application, make sure to respond as soon as possible to confirm your interest.

Once the pet owner selects you, they will send a confirmation through the platform. You’ll need to confirm your acceptance, and then you’re all set for your next pet sitting adventure!

I will leave here 2 examples of actual emails we sent to pet owners and where we were accepted.

Example 1: The listing was two hours away from our house.

Hi (Pet owner name), (Pet name 1), and (Pet name 2),

I hope you are doing well. I am writing because we would love to take care of your kitties while you are away. We are (our names); we live in (the place where you live), (country). So we would be happy to accommodate travel to (the place where the pets are) for the days you need and take care of (Pet 1) and (Pet 2). We are cat lovers. We also have a kitten (Corita) who, once we confirm travel, will be cared for by a Trusted Housesitter. We have recently cared for other kittens (including other places if you already have previous experience) through the platform.

Feel free to check our profile, and if you like, we can arrange an interview/video call to resolve any questions you may have.

Thank you very much for reviewing our application

Have a great weekend

Example 2: The listing was in a Canadian city 5 hours by plane from Toronto.

Hello (Pet owner name), (Pet name 1), and (Pet name 2),

I hope you are doing well. I am glad you are planning your first trip post-covid. (we refer to what the pet owners had put in their profiles)

I am writing because we would love to take care of your kitties while you are away. We are (your name); We live in (the place where you live), (country), and we already have our air tickets to go to (the place where the pets are) between June 26 and July 3. So we would be happy to accommodate to go to (the place where the pets are) for the days you need and take care of (Pet 1) and (Pet 2). We are cat lovers, in fact, we have a kitty too (Corita) who will be cared for by a Trusted Housesitter as well, and we recently took care of another cat in (Other experiences) through the platform.

Feel free to check our profile, and if you like, we can arrange a video call to resolve any questions you may have.

Thank you very much for reviewing our application

Best regards

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back or if the pet owner notifies you that you have not been selected. Thank the pet owner, and keep looking for another petsitting while traveling opportunity.

9. What to Ask Before a Pet Sitting Stay

Let’s say you’ve already had a preliminary conversation with the pet owner and are now preparing for a meeting, either online or in person.

During this interview, be ready to ask about pet behaviours, routines, and specific needs. Since petsitting while traveling means caring for someone else’s beloved pet, understanding their habits and expectations is essential to ensure a smooth experience for both you and the pet.

Before committing to a pet sit, ask the pet owner important questions about their pets and home. Here are a few examples:

Cats:

• Feeding: What type of food do you use? Where is it located? What is the portion size, and how often is it given? If there is an automatic feeder, how does it work, and how often does it release food?
• Water: Where is it located, and how often does it need to be changed?
• Litter box: Where is it located? Where should the litter be disposed of (directly in the toilet, in a bag, in a designated container, etc.)? Is there extra litter available for replenishment?
• Medication: Does (pet’s name) need any medication? If so, what is the dosage and schedule?
• Special considerations: Is there anything specific we need to know? Any restrictions, such as not allowing the cat on the balcony, not letting them climb into the dishwasher, etc.?
• Routine: Does (pet’s name) have a daily routine they like to follow (playtime at night, specific grooming habits, etc.)?
• Balcony access: Is (pet’s name) allowed on the balcony? If so, can they go alone, only under supervision, or not at all?
• Outdoor access: If the cat goes outside, how does that work? How long do they usually stay outside?
• Sleeping arrangements: Do the kitten(s) sleep with us?

Dogs:

• (Pet’s name) walks X times a day. How long should each walk be?
• Socialization: Is (pet’s name) friendly with other dogs? What should we do if we meet another dog while walking?
• Leash requirements: Does (pet’s name) always need to be on a leash?
• Toys: Does (pet’s name) need a toy when going for a walk?
• Water: Should we bring water for (pet’s name)? Does he/she have a specific container for drinking?
• Routine: Is there anything special we should know about (pet’s name)’s daily routine?

About the house:

• How many plants do you have, and where are they located? Is it necessary to water them?
• Do we need to take out the garbage or recycling?
• Do you need to inform the concierge about our stay? (If applicable)
• What time do you want us to arrive?
• What time do you need us to leave?

If you feel it is necessary, you can respectfully ask the following:

• Can I cook at your home?
• How does the public transportation payment system work?
• Are grocery stores close enough to walk to, or will we need to shop in town?
• Do you have parking, or is there parking nearby?

When petsitting while traveling, understanding house rules and logistics in advance helps ensure a smooth and respectful stay for both you and the pet owner.

10. How Reviews Help You Get More Opportunities

The best way to build trust and get more pet sitting opportunities is by receiving good reviews.

After completing a pet sit, owners will leave a review on your TrustedHouseSitters profile based on their experience. The more positive reviews you have, the easier it will be to get accepted for future sits.

Likewise, you can leave a review for the pet owner to help other sitters. If you had a great experience, sharing it will also make them more likely to invite you back for future pet sits.

This way, the next time you apply for a petsitting while traveling opportunity, you will already have reviews on your profile. Pet owners will be able to trust you more, and even former pet owners you have previously visited may reach out again, giving you more chances to care for their adorable pets once more.

Conclusion

Petsitting while traveling is an incredible way to explore new places, stay in beautiful homes, and enjoy the company of pets—all while saving money.

I hope this post helps you understand how petsitting works, see if it’s something you want to do, and take the leap!

If you’re ready to get started, sign up for TrustedHouseSitters here and begin your journey of caring for pets while traveling the world. And if you’re a newcomer to Canada looking for a pet sitter, check out this guide on Finding a Pet Sitter as a Newcomer to Canada to make sure your pets are in good hands while you explore!