The 2023 summer travel season is expected to break records, but while pet parents are away, who will be there to care for those very important four-legged family members who can’t come along? That’s where pet sitters come in. Professionals who love and care for your pets just like their own offer pet care services in every city, but what you spend may vary from place to place. As we head into the summer months, here are the most and least expensive cities to book summer pet care — and what you can expect to pay for a quality pet sitter in your area.
Why hire summer pet care?
Professional pet sitters not only provide summer care for pets, but they also provide peace of mind for pet parents on the go. With summer care lined up, you don’t have to worry about how often the dog will be walked or whether the neighbor you asked to feed the cat will actually show up. Pet sitters also look out for the safety and well-being of animals. They’re able to check in frequently, handle emergencies and make sure each pet is comfortable and secure.
How much does it cost to hire summer pet care?
As with all forms of care, these services do come with a cost, and prices may be slightly higher during the summer months when this type of care is in high demand. But, the good news is that quality pet care is available and affordable in many parts of the country, and knowing the cost ahead of time can help you budget accordingly.
Pet care services can range from just over $20 per hour in higher cost metropolitan areas to $13 or less per hour throughout many parts of the South and Midwest. In Tallahassee, Florida, for example, the average rate for a pet sitter is $13.83 per hour while those living in Annapolis, Maryland, can expect to pay an average of $16.65 per hour.
The cost for a pet sitter can also vary depending on:
- The number of pets who need care.
- The type and size of the pets.
- How much experience the sitter has.
- The length of care needed.
- The level of care required.
- Additional services provided.
Here are the top 20 most and least expensive U.S. cities to hire summer pet care.
The most expensive U.S. cities for summer pet care
| City, State | Average hourly pet care rate |
|---|---|
| Boston, Massachusetts | $20.05 |
| Denver, Colorado | $19.28 |
| Olympia, Washington | $18.72 |
| Sacramento, California | $18.05 |
| Albany, New York | $17.99 |
| Salem, Oregon | $17.33 |
| Hartford, Connecticut | $17.29 |
| Augusta, Maine | $17.14 |
| Santa Fe, New Mexico | $16.86 |
| Phoenix, Arizona | $16.78 |
The least expensive U.S. cities for summer pet care
| City, State | Average hourly pet care rate |
|---|---|
| Montgomery, Alabama | $12.08 |
| Jackson, Mississippi | $12.53 |
| Jefferson City, Missouri | $12.62 |
| Cheyenne, Wyoming | $12.70 |
| Dover, Delaware | $13.13 |
| Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | $13.25 |
| Lincoln, Nebraska | $13.64 |
| Baton Rouge, Louisiana | $13.72 |
| Columbia, South Carolina | $13.77 |
| Topeka, Kansas | $13.80 |
Calculate the going pet care rate in your city
Don’t see your city? Use the latest Care data to estimate the average pet care costs, based on where you live. Just enter your ZIP code, number of hours per week, type of pet and pet care service in the Care pet sitting rate calculator.
