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Pet Sitter Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

DogWalkingDC

Weekday/Weekend Pet Sitter

Washington, DC

$15.50 - $21/hr

C. area. The Pet Sitter will care overnight for dogs, cats, or other small animals. Responsibilities for the Pet Sitter: * If pet sitting for a dog, safely and responsibly walk the dog(s) for ...

Passionately Pets

Pet Sitter

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Passionately Pets, a local In-Home Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company, is currently hiring exceptional pet sitters and dog walkers to join our wonderful team. This position is fun and rewarding as ...

Passionately Pets

Pet Sitter

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Passionately Pets, a local In-Home Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company, is currently hiring exceptional pet sitters and dog walkers to join our wonderful team. This position is fun and rewarding as ...

Passionately Pets

Pet Sitter

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Passionately Pets, a local In-Home Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company, is currently hiring exceptional pet sitters and dog walkers to join our wonderful team. This position is fun and rewarding as ...

Passionately Pets

Pet Sitter

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Passionately Pets, a local In-Home Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company, is currently hiring exceptional pet sitters and dog walkers to join our wonderful team. This position is fun and rewarding as ...

DogWalkingDC

Weekday/Weekend Pet Sitter

Washington, DC

$15.75 - $21.50/hr

C. area. The Pet Sitter will care overnight for dogs, cats, or other small animals. Responsibilities for the Pet Sitter: * If pet sitting for a dog, safely and responsibly walk the dog(s) for ...

DogWalkingDC

Weekday/Weekend Pet Sitter

Washington, DC

$15.75 - $21.50/hr

C. area. The Pet Sitter will care overnight for dogs, cats, or other small animals. Responsibilities for the Pet Sitter: * If pet sitting for a dog, safely and responsibly walk the dog(s) for ...

DogWalkingDC

Weekday/Weekend Pet Sitter

Washington, DC · On-site

$15.75 - $21.50/hr

C. area. The Pet Sitter will care overnight for dogs, cats, or other small animals. Responsibilities for the Pet Sitter: * If pet sitting for a dog, safely and responsibly walk the dog(s) for ...

DogWalkingDC

Weekday/Weekend Pet Sitter

Washington, DC · On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

C. area. The Pet Sitter will care overnight for dogs, cats, or other small animals. Responsibilities for the Pet Sitter: * If pet sitting for a dog, safely and responsibly walk the dog(s) for ...

Passionately Pets

Pet Sitter

Alexandria, VA

$24 - $28/hr

Passionately Pets, a local In-Home Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Company, is currently hiring exceptional pet sitters and dog walkers to join our wonderful team. This position is fun and rewarding as ...

Passionately Pets

Part-Time Pet Sitter

Alexandria, VA

$24 - $28/hr

Pet Sitter Looking for flexible work that actually gets you moving? Spend your day caring for pets instead of staring at a screen. Passionately Pets is hiring a pet sitter in West End Alexandria ...

Passionately Pets

Part-Time Pet Sitter

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Pet Sitter Looking for flexible work that actually gets you moving? Spend your day caring for pets instead of staring at a screen. Passionately Pets is hiring a pet sitter in West End Alexandria ...

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All JobsPet Sitter JobsPet Sitter Jobs in Reston, VA

Pet Sitter information

See Reston, VA salary details

$7

$16

$22

How much do pet sitter jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for pet sitter in Reston, VA is $16.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pet sitter?

Pet sitters are individuals hired to care for pets while their owners are away. Their duties typically include feeding, walking, playing with the pets, administering medication if needed, and sometimes performing basic household tasks like collecting mail. Pet sitters may visit the owner's home daily or stay overnight, providing companionship and ensuring the pets' well-being. This service helps minimize stress for pets by allowing them to remain in their familiar environment. Pet sitters often have experience with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and small mammals.

What do pet sitters do?

When pet owners leave town for work or vacation, they need someone to keep an eye on their furry friends. Pet sitters usually take care of household pets at the pet's home until its owner returns, though some pet sitters bring the animals to their own home for the duration of the job when allowed by the owner. Responsibilities include visiting the pet, replenishing food and water supplies, cleaning the pet's living space, and playing with it. The most common pets are dogs and cats. Dogs need to be walked for exercise, and cats need play time to release energy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pet sitter, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pet Sitter, you need a solid understanding of animal care, basic first aid, and reliability, with experience or relevant pet care training being highly valuable. Familiarity with scheduling apps, pet monitoring devices, and sometimes pet CPR certification can enhance your service. Patience, trustworthiness, and strong communication skills help build rapport with both pets and their owners. These skills are essential to ensure the well-being of animals, maintain client trust, and manage responsibilities safely and efficiently.

What are some common challenges faced by pet sitters and how can they be managed?

Pet sitters often encounter challenges such as managing pets with special needs, handling unpredictable behavior, and coordinating schedules with multiple clients. To address these, it's important to communicate clearly with pet owners about each pet's routines and requirements, stay organized with a reliable calendar, and be prepared for emergencies by knowing basic pet first aid. Building trust with both pets and their owners is key to a successful and rewarding experience in this role.

What is the difference between Pet Sitter vs Dog Walker?

AspectPet SitterDog Walker
CredentialsOften requires pet care experience, certifications like pet CPRUsually no formal certifications required
Work EnvironmentIn-home or at pet owner's location, can care for multiple petsOutdoor walks, parks, neighborhood routes
Employer & Industry UsagePet sitting agencies, independent pet care providersDog walking services, pet care apps
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for comprehensive pet care, overnight staysSeeking exercise and outdoor activity for dogs

Pet sitters provide in-home care for pets, including feeding, administering medication, and overnight stays. Dog walkers focus on exercising dogs through outdoor walks. While both roles involve caring for dogs, pet sitters offer broader services, often caring for multiple pets and providing in-home care, whereas dog walkers specialize in outdoor exercise routines.

How much do pet sitters earn?

Pet sitters typically earn between $15 and $25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the services offered. Some may charge flat rates for overnight stays or multiple pets, and earning potential increases with certifications or specialized skills in pet care.
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Cities near Reston, VA with the most Pet Sitter job openings:

Pet Sitter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pet Sitter job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,724 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Weekday/Weekend Pet Sitter

DogWalkingDC

Washington, DC

$15.50 - $21/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Atlas and Dog Walking D.C. (DWDC) are hiring for a Pet Sitter in the Washington D.C. area. The Pet Sitter will care overnight for dogs, cats, or other small animals.

Responsibilities for the Pet Sitter: 

  • If pet sitting for a dog, safely and responsibly walk the dog(s) for specified amount of time set by clients and provide “potty breaks” as needed

  • Feed and provide ample water supply for pet(s), following the client-provided care instructions, including training preferences

  • Ensure that no damage is caused by pets in the absence of their owners

  • Confirm if any “potty accidents” have occurred and properly clean up after the pet(s) (including scooping of the litter/cleaning of cage as needed)

  • Practice proper time management to ensure on-time arrivals for all assigned pet visits

  • Communicate with clients and supervisor as needed

Requirements for the Pet Sitter:

  • Pet sits can be any day of the week, including weekends (Monday - Sunday) and start time can vary from 5pm - 8pm and ends at 8am the following day

  • Must have own reliable form of transportation (either car or bicycle)

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Must be comfortable working and interacting with both small and large dogs or cats and continuously show compassion

  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check

  • Must have a reliable smartphone in order to utilize the Atlas/DWDC app for the pet visits

Compensation for the Pet Sitter:

  • Calculated on a per-pet sit/per-pet basis

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