Pet & House Sitter

Gauteng, South Africa
35 days ago

Description

Pet / House sitter

Requirements

1. Basic Qualifications
  • Love for animals and comfort with handling various pet breeds and temperaments.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Experience with pet care (personal or professional), including feeding, walking, cleaning, and administering medications.
  • Basic knowledge of animal behaviour and safety protocols.
2. Skills
  • Responsible and reliable — trustworthiness is critical when entering clients' homes and caring for pets.
  • Time management — ability to stick to feeding, walking, and medication schedules.
  • Communication skills — able to update pet owners clearly and promptly (text, photos, calls).
  • Problem-solving — know how to handle minor pet emergencies or behavioural issues.
3. Physical Requirements
  • Ability to walk dogs of various sizes and strengths.
  • Able to lift or carry pets (if needed), litter, food bags, crates, etc.
4. Availability
  • Flexible schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • Willingness to do overnight stays or house-sitting, if requested.
5. Certifications (optional but valuable)
  • Pet First Aid and CPR certification
  • Animal care or veterinary assistant training
6. Transportation
  • Reliable transportation to travel between clients’ homes.
  • Valid driver’s license.

Bonuses

  • Bonding with animals: You get paid to spend time with pets—often considered emotionally fulfilling.
  • Exercise & fresh air: Dog walking keeps you active and outdoors.
  • Stress relief: Interacting with animals has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Variety in daily routine: Different pets, homes, and neighbourhoods keep the work interesting.

Benefits

  • Choose the jobs that fit your lifestyle.
  • Ideal for students, freelancers, retirees, or anyone wanting to set their own hours.
  • Spend Time with Animals
  • If you love animals, this job gives you daily interaction without the long-term commitment of owning multiple pets.
  • Provides emotional satisfaction and can even reduce stress.
  • You’re not stuck at a desk—your “office” is usually a client’s home, a backyard, or a walk in the park.
  • New locations and routines keep things interesting.
  • No micromanagement—you often work alone and are trusted to care for pets responsibly.
  • Perfect for people who prefer independent, responsibility-driven work.
  • Active Lifestyle
  • Dog walking helps keep you physically active—a bonus for your health.
  • Encourages outdoor time and regular movement.
  • Learn about animal behaviour, first aid, administering medications, etc.
  • Gain experience that can lead to careers in veterinary work, grooming, or training.

Responsibilities

 1. Basic Pet Care
  • Feeding pets according to the owner’s instructions and schedule.
  • Providing fresh water regularly.
  • Walking dogs and giving them regular exercise.
  • Cleaning litter boxes, cages, or any pet-related messes.
 2. Health & Safety
  • Administering medications or supplements if needed.
  • Monitoring pets for signs of illness, stress, or unusual behaviour.
  • Performing pet first aid in emergencies (if trained).
 3. Companionship & Attention
  • Spending time playing, petting, or just keeping pets company.
  • Reducing separation anxiety and maintaining a calm, reassuring presence.
 4. Cleanliness
  • Cleaning up pet accidents and keeping the pet’s space clean and tidy.
  • Washing pet dishes, brushing coats (if requested), and general grooming upkeep.
 5. Household Duties (if part of the service)
  • Bringing in mail, watering plants, taking out trash, etc.
  • Making the home look lived-in for security purposes.
 6. Communication
  • Providing daily updates (texts, photos, videos) to keep pet owners informed.
  • Reporting any unusual behaviour or concerns right away.
 7. Following Client Instructions
  • Following all pet care routines and household instructions carefully.
  • Respecting confidentiality and privacy in the client’s home.
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