There are 23 pet service businesses based in Philadelphia that offer dog sitting and list their rates on their websites. That is out of a total of 63 pet service related websites that I have found. However, there are two things to cover when it comes to dog sitting and the rates you are looking for.

First is that there are other sites that MAY offer dog sitting though they list the service under the term “pet-sitting”. I have a separate upcoming article on pet sitting rates in Philadelphia that you should also read if you do not find a company in this article offering dog sitting in your area.

Secondly, there is the confusion, or misunderstanding, of pet service terms when it comes to people who own dogs. Some of the terms used interchangeably, or incorrectly, by dog owners are sitting, boarding, in-house sitting, and dog daycare. Dog walking may also be included in this list. I have a brief definition of these terms on my Services & Rates page. If you want an in-depth description of those terms, then read my article Definition of Dog Walking, Pet Sitting & Pet Boarding.

Brief Definition of Dog Sitting

This article is focused on dog sitting, meaning 3 walks per day with feedings while you are away. Your dog sitter goes to your home for a morning, afternoon and evening visit. Note: I’ve found the most common dog sitting requests take the form of weekends with 1, 3 & 2 visits. What that means is a Friday night visit, 3 visits on Saturday and a morning and afternoon visit on Sunday. If this sounds like what you want, then keep reading. If this is not what you want, then definitely read my posts with descriptions for the other related services.

Notes on the Dog Sitting Rates Table and Companies

Dog Sitting Rates, Fees & Costs

• “Min” values: This is the minimum or standard rate for each company. It may also be a discounted rate for a certain amount of visits per week. If you see a dash under this column, then that company doesn’t have a dog sitting rate for that visit time.
• “Max” values: This is a higher rate that usually includes fees for night or weekend visits. If you see a dash under this column, then the “max” dog sitting rate for that company is the same as the flat rate under the min column.
• Companies with the highest rates: The highest rates may be for companies based in center city where driving and parking is difficult. Everything downtown cost more. If they do not service those areas then I’d say that they should lower their rates. One reason for high rates may be because they prefer one visit time length over another. And so they make the less desirable times a higher rate. I do the same.
• Additional fees: Oh boy. This is where some sites are confusing with so many exceptions that it’s hard to figure out the total cost. I already mentioned nights and weekends, but holidays also fetch a high fee. There are also extra costs for a second dog or additional pets like cats.
• Daily cost: If you are trying to figure out how much your total cost will be, just multiply the min rate by the # of visits per day. You’ll have to also add night and weekend fees for any visits that occur at those times.

Length of Dog Sitting Visits and Service Areas

Some companies give a rate for a visit with time ranges, e.g. 15-20 minutes, or 20-40 minutes. I’m personally skeptical of that. Why don’t they just tell you the rate for the EXACT length of the visit? Somehow I don’t think it will be on the long end if they are busy. Keep that in mind.

Here are some of the service areas that I found for each site. If you see a “+” sign and a number, then that is the number of additional surrounding neighborhoods that the company services. If you know you live close to the service area listed, then they may also service your area. Here is a zip code map for Philadelphia if you are new to the city.

• Center City: Center City Pets, Fetch Pet Care
• Fairmount: Fairmount Pet Service. Fairmount +2: Pet Posse, Philly Bow Wow, Andrew’s Pack
• Fishtown: Mary Pawpins
• Manayunk: Manayunk Pooch Schoochers. Manayunk +2: City of Paws
• NE Philly: NE Phila Pet Sitting
• Northern Liberties +2: Bow Wow Meow
• Rittenhouse: Rittenhound
• South Philly +1: Bark Park, Phila Paws & Claws
• West Philly: Fresh Prints of West Philly
• Companies that service MANY neighborhoods: Happy Tails of Philly, PhilaPets, Queenies Pets, South Paw, Top Tails, Walk This Way, ZDogWalkers
• Unknown (I couldn’t find which neighborhoods these companies service): For Paws Philly, Madeleine’s Paws & Claws, MJS Pet Sitting, Pups on Passyunk

Philly Dog Sitting Rates (as of 9/4/19)

Disclaimer: I am not endorsing any of the pet businesses listed on this page other than my own. I do not personally know any of the owners. This is simply a listing of dog sitting rates that I compiled for people needing that service.

Additional Pet Service Rates

I have an article on the rates and cost for every type of pet service. The article is called Pet Service Rates but it also includes other subjects like Philly dog parks, pet-friendly hotels, 24-hour emergency vets, and adoption locations. Check it out if you are interested in other pet services located in the city.

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