Getting started
How to start a pet sitting business: a calm checklist
November 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the Tendling team
Starting a pet sitting business is mostly about trust and routine. Clients hand you their keys and their family, so the work is in showing up the same careful way every time. Here is a simple checklist to get from idea to first booking.
1. Decide what you offer
Pick a small set of services you can deliver well. Many sitters start with drop-in visits and dog walks, then add overnights or home boarding once they have steady clients.
- Drop-in visits (feeding, litter, play)
- Dog walks, solo or small group
- Overnights in the client's home
- Home boarding at your place
2. Check the paperwork for your area
Rules differ by city, county and state. Look up whether you need a business license, and talk to an insurance provider about pet care liability and bonding. Keep copies somewhere you can share with clients who ask.
3. Set clear prices and policies
Write down your rates per visit or per night, your service area, holiday pricing, and your cancellation policy. Clear policies prevent awkward conversations later.
4. Build a good intake process
Before the first visit, meet the pets and the owner in person. Collect feeding and medication instructions, vet contact, emergency contact and home access details. Store access codes securely and only bring them out on visit days.
5. Make every visit easy to trust
Check in when you arrive, follow a checklist, and send a short report with a photo when you leave. Owners remember the sitter who kept them in the loop.
6. Get your first clients
Start with neighbors, friends and local community boards, and ask happy clients for a review or a referral. A simple public page with your services and a request form makes it easy for people to book.