Everyone wants to know the cost of pet sitting and dog walking in Viera! Choosing a pet sitter or dog walker for your pet while you are away from home comes with a price. We get that. No matter our best intentions with our pets, one of the most significant factors when selecting a pet sitter or dog walker often comes down to cost.
Below, we list the cost of four pet care options available in and around Brevard’s Space Coast, including Rockledge, Viera, and Suntree. We hope you’ll weigh the benefits and risks of each before making a final decision on which pet sitter or dog walker you choose.
Hiring a Hobby Sitter for Your Pet
Hobby sitters are people who spend their free time pet-sitting for pets in their locale. Pet sitting allows them to make some extra money while doing something they enjoy at their convenience. Hobby sitters are considered independent contractors who may or (more likely) may not come with the added protections of training, licensing, references, bonding, insurance, and/or background checks.
Without these extra measures in place, you, the homeowner, may become liable should anything happen to your pet or the sitter themselves should anyone get injured or damage occur to your home. It will be up to the individual enlisting the services of the hobby sitter to do a background check, ask for references, and put in place all protections needed to keep the home and pets safe while you, the homeowner, are away. Average cost $10 – $25
Using Caution With Rover, Wag, & Care.com
Rover (and other similar online platforms) is a technology company with an extensive network of dog walkers and pet sitters that connects them with pet parents. It’s similar to finding a date online. Through an app, you can peruse profiles and prices of literally hundreds to thousands of locals who deem your town to be their service area. The process begins with your search. Once you connect with someone who seems to be a fit for you, you have the opportunity to meet in person. If that meeting goes well, you will book your visits and pay via Rover’s online platform.
It’s imperative not to skip the meeting and vetting stage, as we’ve all read horror stories about what can happen when you choose the wrong sitter.
Activity and care notes can be logged on the app by the sitter. Each sitter gets reviewed by Rover and is offered – but not required – to submit to a general background check at the sitter’s cost. Basically, anyone can sign up and provide pet care services on this app. The same precautions you would take when screening a potential mate online through a dating app, you will also want to screen your potential pet care provider. While not insured per se, Rover comes with limited guarantees should your pet become injured in Rover’s care after you pay a deductible. Read the fine print. Average cost $15-30
Using Your Neighbor for Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
Neighbors are also a viable option for pet care. They’re convenient and can run over in a jam. There’s the possibility that you have already developed a rapport with them and trust them. They may be the most cost-effective option for pet care, and if your budget is a concern, a neighbor might be your only option. Similar to a hobby sitter or walker, safeguards in place may be more minimal than any other option. Other than trust and convenience, it’s a gamble that nothing will go wrong while you are away. Average cost $0 – $10
The Cost Hiring a Professional Pet Sitter
Many people nowadays opt for a professional pet sitter like us at Space Coast Pet Services. There are many benefits to choosing a professional service operating under state and local regulations. Our company operates with the idea of “custom care without clocks.” This means we stay as long as your pet needs us. We don’t charge extra for loving care, medication management, extra sniffs, or whatever else the pet may need at the time.
When choosing a professional pet care company, make sure you check their licensing and any online reviews. Word of mouth from your neighbors is always a trusted source!
Space Coast Pet Services Offers the Best Professional Pet Care in Viera and Beyond!
We are a registered, insured, and background-checked team of professional pet sitters and dog walkers. We are trained to handle emergencies and other unexpected situations and have all completed a course in basic Pet First Aid and CPR. We’ve run the gamut of what might go wrong, and we can roll with the punches. We also provide ongoing training to all staff to ensure that the best care is always available to pet parents.
Additionally, we operate on safety, honesty & integrity, as our livelihood depends on our reputation and the best care for your pets. After registering on our client portal, also available via the Google Play or Apple app stores, care is just a few clicks away when you need it – even with short notice. All visit notes, photos, and pet updates are sent to you as the pet parent immediately after each visit/service so you know how your pet is doing in real time. Average cost $25-40
Interested in learning more about our professional pet care options? Contact us today to learn how we can provide you with peace of mind while also providing the best care to your pets while you are away.
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