07/05/2025
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Iāve gone back and forth about posting this, but it needs to be said.
Pet sitting is my full-time job. Itās not a side hustle or a weekend gigāitās how I pay my bills, put food on the table, and make a living. But the reality is, Iāve been working 24/7 without actually being paid a livable wage.
So, Iām making a change.
After careful thought, Iām updating my overnight pet sitting rate to $120 per night (typically for me thatās 5 PMā10 AM), effective July 22nd, 2025.
I understand that this may feel extreme to some so I want to be transparent about why I am making this change.
šµ Letās talk numbers.
My previous rate was $70 for 24 hours, which breaks down to just $2.92 per hour. Thatās not even close to sustainableānot when federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and Massachusetts minimum wage is $15/hour.
The new overnight rate of $120, for a 9-hour stay, breaks down to $13.33 per hour. Thatās still slightly below state minimum wageāand as a small business owner, I pay for all taxes, travel necessities, supplies, and insurance out of pocket. I get no benefits, no paid time off, no sick leave, and no guaranteed hours.
There are also stretchesāsometimes weeks or even a full monthāwhen I donāt get booked at all. But I canāt just pick up another job in the meantime. Finding another job takes time, and most traditional jobs wouldnāt allow me to remain on-call or flexible enough to be available for my clients. That doesnāt make me lazyāit just reflects how unpredictable and demanding this kind of work is.
This isnāt just about money. Itās about respecting the time, effort, and care that goes into what I do.
š¾ What does pet sitting actually involve?
People often assume pet sitting is just āstaying with the dog,ā but hereās what you're really hiring me to do:
ā° 1. Be on your petās schedule, not mine.
I plan my life around your petās needsāearly mornings, late nights, timed meds, and more. Iām often working while others are relaxing, asleep, or off-duty.
š” 2. Stay overnight in someone elseās home.
I give up the comfort and privacy of my own space to care for your pet where theyāre most comfortable. That means adjusting to your routines, your neighborhood, your appliances, your thermostat, and your expectations.
š¶ 3. Provide skilled animal care.
I care for senior pets, anxious dogs, multiple pets at once, and pets with strict medical or behavioral needs. I administer medications, track symptoms, and know when something isnāt right.
š 4. Act as your stand-in.
While youāre away, Iām the one responding to emergencies, coordinating vet visits, keeping your pet safe, and keeping you informedāwith regular updates and full transparency.
š§½ 5. Leave your home better than I found it.
That includes cleaning pet messes, washing dishes, vacuuming fur, bringing in mail, watering plants, and making sure everything is secure when you return.
š¼ 6. Run a fully insured business.
I pay for pet sitting insurance to help protect you in the event of property damage or an emergency involving your pet. Itās a layer of security many sitters donāt offerāand it comes out of my own pocket.
Iāve kept my rates low for a long time, but I simply canāt keep working 24/7 for less than minimum wage.
If $120 per night is outside your budget, I understand completelyāand I hold no hard feelings.
But I wonāt apologize for valuing my time, my labor, or the care I provide.
Before asking a potential sitter how much they charge, ask yourself this:
āHow much would I want to be paid for the work Iām asking them to do?ā
To those who have supported me, trusted me, and treated my work like the profession it is: thank you. You make this possible.
Sincerely,
Katiann Stone
P.S. This rate change does not affect any current bookings already scheduled for this month or next month.
