Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting, LLC; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Cell phone stipend

Paid training

Paid sick time

Paid time off after 12 months

Job summary

Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting, LLC is seeking reliable dog walkers and pet sitters in the Waltham, MA area. This flexible part-time role focuses on dog walking and in-home visits, with shifts across early morning, mid-day, and evenings, including weekends.

Ideal candidates will have at least 2 years of hands-on animal care, comfort with cats and dogs of varying sizes, and strong communication skills. On-site work with potential for increased hours based on availability.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of hands-on animal care experience (personal, volunteer, or pro).
• Confidence caring for cats and handling both large and small dogs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide solo dog walks and pet sitting visits with calm, attentive care.
• Care for dogs and cats including feeding, water, and litter box care.
• Follow each pet's care instructions and note updates in scheduling app.
• Build trust with clients through reliable service and clear updates.
• Safely manage dogs of different sizes and temperaments with a fear-free approach.
• Accept scheduled visits within committed shift windows and remain responsive to last-minute opportunities.

Skills

2+ years animal care

Cat handling

Dog handling (various sizes)

Communication skills

Smartphone GPS scheduling

Reliable vehicle

Flexible availability

Dependable and responsive

Tools

GPS navigation

Scheduling software

Smartphone

Job description

Company Overview

Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting is a Waltham, Massachusetts-based pet care company specializing in force-free, fear-free care for dogs and cats. Since 2012, we have built our reputation on dependable service, individualized attention, and a calm, safe experience for both pets and their owners. We provide solo dog walks and work with one family at a time so every pet receives thoughtful, personalized care.

Job Title

Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

Company Overview

Pawsitive Dawg Walking and Pet Sitting is a Waltham, Massachusetts-based pet care company specializing in force-free, fear-free care for dogs and cats. Since 2012, we have built our reputation on dependable service, individualized attention, and a calm, safe experience for both pets and their owners. We provide solo dog walks and work with one family at a time so every pet receives thoughtful, personalized care.

The Opportunity

This is a strong fit for someone who wants flexible, meaningful work with animals while keeping control of their weekly schedule. Rather than locking you into one rigid full-time shift, we offer opportunities across early morning, mid-day, late afternoon, evening, and weekend time blocks. For the right person, this can be a rewarding way to build consistent part-time income doing hands-on work that matters to pets and the families who count on us.

We are hiring for multiple openings, and candidates with broader availability will receive preference for scheduling and assignment volume. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is dependable, responsive, and wants to grow with a well-established local pet care team.

What You'll Do

• Provide solo dog walks and pet sitting visits with calm, attentive, individualized care.
• Care for both dogs and cats, including walking dogs, feeding pets, refreshing water, and scooping litter boxes as needed.
• Follow each pet's care instructions closely, including feeding, walking, litter box care, medication support if applicable, and household routines.
• Build trust with clients by delivering reliable service, clear communication, and thoughtful visit updates with notes and photos.
• Safely manage dogs of different sizes, temperaments, and energy levels while maintaining a fear-free, force-free approach.
• Accept scheduled visits during the time blocks you commit to and remain responsive to occasional last-minute opportunities.

What Success Looks Like

• Within the first few weeks, you are completing visits on time, following care instructions accurately, and communicating clearly through the scheduling app.
• Clients feel confident leaving their pets in your care because your updates are thoughtful, professional, and consistent.
• Dogs and cats in your care are safe, comfortable, well fed, and well managed during each visit.
• You become a reliable option for coverage during your committed shift windows, including occasional urgent or last-minute needs.
• Over time, your reliability, responsiveness, and availability lead to more frequent assignments and greater scheduling preference.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with dogs and cats and takes pride in being dependable. The strongest candidates will be compassionate, organized, comfortable working independently, and able to manage a mobile, active workday.

Preferred Qualifications Include

• At least 2 years of hands-on animal care experience, whether personal, volunteer, or professional
• Confidence caring for cats and handling both large and small dogs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort using a smartphone, GPS, and scheduling software
• A reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, and auto insurance
• Ability to walk up to 6 miles per day and lift approximately 40 to 50 pounds when needed
• Willingness to commit to at least 3 hours per shift, 3 times per week, within available shift windows
• Interest in taking on additional availability, as team members with the most availability receive preference
• Openness to occasional last-minute visit requests
• A clean criminal background and driving record
• Four references, including 3 professional and 1 personal

Compensation And Benefits

Pay ranges from $15.75-$20.00/hour depending on the position and availability requirements. The higher end of this range applies to specific positions and is not determined by years of prior experience. See below for the options. This is a part time W-2 employee position, not an independent contractor role.

• Online training and hands on training is $15.75/hr for all positions (usually a 2 week period)

Once you graduate training, your pay increases based on your position:

• Dog walking and pet sitting positions start at $16/hr + mileage reimbursement + tips with an opportunity for a pay increase at 3 months if you become Fear Free certified
• Split Shift Pet Sitting positions start at $17/hr + mileage reimbursement + tips with an opportunity for a pay increase at 3 months if you become Fear Free certified
• On-Demand positions start at $18-$20/hr (depending on scheduling availability) + mileage reimbursement + tips with an opportunity for a pay increase at 3 months if you become Fear Free certified

Benefits include mileage reimbursement, cell phone stipend, paid training, paid sick time, paid time off after 12 months of employment, Simple IRA eligibility for employees earning over $5,000 annually, direct deposit, bonding and liability insurance coverage, and 100% of tips. Additional earning opportunities may be available through extra visits, pet sitting, overnights, and weekend work.

Work Location / Schedule

This role is based in the Waltham, Massachusetts service area, including Waltham, Belmont, Watertown, and parts of Newton, Lexington, Weston, and Lincoln. Work is on-site, and 1-5 miles of travel between client homes is required.

We Are Hiring For Multiple Shift Windows, Including

• Early morning: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
• Mid-day: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Late afternoon: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Evening: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Weekends: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Team members are asked to commit to at least 3 of these shifts per week within the shift windows they choose to offer. Candidates with the most availability will receive preference for assignments.

This is a very part time position, meant to supplement your income. Your schedule is based on client need and we do not guarantee any amount of hours, income or number of visits.