Key facts
Quick overview
Pet care can be occasional or repeat local work. Platform fees and travel may materially reduce take-home income.
How it works
Agree on pet care, walking or visits with an owner and follow the agreed instructions. Confirm the animal’s needs, emergency contact and cancellation terms in writing.
Why students choose it
Local work can fit around some class schedules.
Advantages
Repeat clients may reduce the time spent looking for new bookings.
What sucks about it
Travel, weather, liability and last-minute changes can make a booking less attractive.
How to get started
Start with animals you can safely handle; check local rules and consider insurance.
Where to find opportunities
Use local referrals, community boards and established pet-care platforms after checking fees.
What the data says
Category-specific official evidence: Job Bank reports a Canada-wide median of $18 per hour for pet sitters. Data period: 2023–2024. Job Bank: pet-sitter wages in Canada. Independent bookings can have different prices, platform fees and travel costs.
Official data: There is no verified student-specific earnings figure for all pet sitting & dog walking work. For employee roles, compare the relevant occupation and region using the Government of Canada Job Bank wage search. Its employee wages should not be treated as a guaranteed freelance or platform rate. For self-employed work, the Canada Revenue Agency explains how to report business income and expenses. These links were checked September 2026. No community report is used as earnings evidence here.
Red flags
Walk away from guaranteed income, upfront payment demands, or requests to move money through your bank account. The Competition Bureau outlines common job and employment scams.
Is it worth it?
Compare the paid booking time with travel and care responsibilities before taking it. Compare the time spent finding work, unpaid preparation, transport, platform fees and taxes with the money actually received. Earnings are gross unless explicitly labelled otherwise; actual results depend on location, demand, experience, hours and expenses.
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