How much does pet sitting & boarding cost in United States?
Free, no obligation. Sign in with Google to send your request.
Key takeaways
- Most pet sitting & boarding jobs in United States land between $30–$150 — known locally as pet sitter / boarding kennel.
- Pet-sitting is largely unregulated in the US, but commercial boarding kennels are licensed and inspected at the state or county level, and USDA rules can apply to larger operations. Platforms provide baseline insurance that independents should match privately.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Pet Sitting & Boarding prices by job size in United States
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doggy daycare (single day) Supervised daytime care at a facility | $30 | $40 | $55 |
| Kennel / boarding (per night) Overnight stay at a licensed boarding facility | $35 | $50 | $80 |
| In-home overnight sitting (per night) Sitter stays in your home or hosts your pet | $50 | $85 | $150 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per night (boarding) | $35 | $50 | $80 |
| per night (in-home sitting) | $50 | $85 | $150 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in United States typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a pet sitting & boarding pro in United States
- Verify insurance and bonding (standard for professional sitters)
- Do a meet-and-greet and, for boarding, tour the facility
- Confirm vaccination requirements and emergency-vet authority in writing
- Check group size, supervision hours and whether pets are crated overnight
- Compare platform protections (Rover/Wag) against independents
- Confirm holiday-period rates and cancellation terms
Red flags
- No insurance or bonding
- No vaccination requirements
- No meet-and-greet or facility tour offered
- Vague emergency-vet plan
- No references or reviews
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to USD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: HomeGuide dog boarding cost 2025/2026; Rover / Care.com boarding rate data.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a pet sitter or boarder before booking?
Ask about insurance, licensing where it applies, how many animals they take, their emergency-vet plan, whether dogs are ever left unsupervised, vaccination requirements, and ask for references or reviews. A meet-and-greet before booking is standard.
What vaccinations does my pet need to board?
Reputable boarders require up-to-date core vaccinations and usually kennel cough (bordetella) for dogs, with proof before arrival. If a facility doesn't ask for vaccination records, that's a red flag about the health of the other animals there.
What happens if my pet gets sick while I'm away?
A professional sitter or boarder has your vet's details, written authority to seek treatment up to an agreed limit, insurance, and an emergency contact plan. Confirm all of this in writing before you travel — verbal assurances aren't enough.
Kennel boarding, home boarding or a live-in sitter — what's the difference?
Kennels house your pet in a licensed facility with other animals; home boarding places them in a sitter's own home; a live-in or drop-in sitter keeps your pet in your house. Anxious, elderly or unsocial pets usually do better at home; sociable dogs often enjoy a good kennel or daycare.
Do pet boarders and sitters need a licence?
It varies. Some countries license home boarding, daycare and commercial kennels with inspections and star ratings; elsewhere it's unregulated and insurance plus references are the trust signal. Always check what applies where you live before assuming a sitter is vetted.
What does dog boarding cost in the US?
Kennel boarding averages $40-$60 a night ($25-$55 basic), pet-resort boarding $50-$95+, in-home overnight sitting $50-$150+, and doggy daycare $30-$50 a day.
Free, no obligation. Sign in with Google to send your request.