The unpredictable nature of the tech industry, marked by repeated layoffs, prompted Kevin Liu, a 28-year-old resident of Texas, to seek a more stable and diversified income stream. Inspired by online discussions about “side hustles” during his college years, Liu discovered pet sitting through a YouTube video. While his initial interest was driven by the appeal of being paid for an enjoyable activity, he never envisioned it as a career change, aiming only to supplement his income.
Launching a Pet Sitting Career on Rover
In June 2020, Liu joined Rover, a pet-sitting platform that connects individuals with paid pet-sitting opportunities in exchange for a 20% booking fee, which includes insurance. Initially, he set a geographical limit of a 6-mile radius around his Austin, Texas home. His first booking, a lively puppy, came within a month. The owner was amenable to Liu’s situation as he worked from home and wouldn’t be constantly on the go, despite Liu’s lack of prior pet-sitting experience.
Rethinking Strategy and Increasing Income
Despite the enjoyment of caring for the puppy, Liu quickly realized his initial pricing of $26 per day was insufficient, especially after Rover’s fees and taxes, which left him with only $15. This experience highlighted the need to adjust his strategy to generate meaningful income. As he gained more experience, Liu gradually increased his rates. He also recognized the importance of prompt communication, responding quickly to all inquiries, whether he could accept the bookings or not. A high response rate and quick response time positively impacted his ranking in Rover’s search results.
Expanding Services and Client Base
Liu’s client base grew, comprising families on vacation and couples enjoying weekend getaways. This expansion not only allowed him to meet new people and care for various pets but also offered the opportunity to stay in some remarkable homes, ranging from five-bedroom houses with infinity pools to cliff-top residences with stunning views and even a three-story mansion with an elevator.
Balancing Tech Employment with Pet Sitting
By August 2020, Liu returned to a full-time position in the tech industry. However, his remote work arrangement allowed him to continue house-sitting. Previously, he had also offered dog walking and drop-in pet check-ins, but the demands of his tech job necessitated a shift. He began focusing on house-sitting opportunities that involved caring for multiple pets simultaneously, thereby maximizing his earning potential. While most of his clients had dogs, he also cared for less conventional pets, including a snake and five geckos, noting this as a particularly easy assignment due to the snake’s infrequent feeding schedule and the geckos’ simple daily misting requirement.
A Record-Breaking Year and Future Prospects
Last year marked Liu’s most successful period for pet-sitting, with earnings of $26,110 before taxes and fees. He already has bookings extending six months in advance. While his tech job remains his primary income source, pet sitting has proven to be a lucrative and relatively passive side hustle, allowing him to help others while generating supplementary income.
Overcoming Challenges and Sharing Expertise
Liu’s primary challenges in pet sitting have been unrelated to the animals themselves. He has learned to navigate interactions with untrained dogs and remain vigilant for distractions like squirrels. A more significant incident involved a tree falling on a house during a booking, which, fortunately, resulted in no injuries and was promptly addressed by the owner’s appointed professional.
Liu found valuable insights for pet sitting on Reddit. However, he identified a gap in readily available information regarding price benchmarking and realistic income goals. To address this, he began sharing his experiences on TikTok in August 2022. His first video, detailing his initial year of pet sitting, garnered over 500,000 views overnight and led to numerous inquiries, including offers to fly him to various cities for pet-sitting assignments, which he declined due to his full-time job.
Premium Pricing and Luxury Service
Currently, Liu charges $170 per day, and clients often schedule their vacations around his availability. The summer months and festive seasons are his peak periods, with nearly every night booked during the summer last year. His longest assignment involved caring for an elderly Shih Tzu for 28 days while the owner was away for work. Liu emphasizes providing a luxury service, ensuring a seamless experience for his clients. Upon their return, they find their pet well-cared for, their home tidy, plants watered, and mail collected.
Maintaining Routine Amidst “Staycations”
The experience of staying in beautiful homes can feel like a “staycation,” potentially disrupting daily routines, especially with a full-time job. Liu counteracts this by maintaining a consistent schedule. He typically wakes around 5 a.m. to feed and let out the dogs before heading to the gym for about 90 minutes. Upon returning, he walks the dogs again before his first online meeting, usually between 9 or 10 a.m. His workday concludes around 5 p.m., followed by another dog feeding and walk. He occasionally socializes or visits his own apartment to water plants. He generally retires by 10 p.m., preferring a quiet lifestyle. Despite paying $950 monthly for his apartment, he retains it as a base, located only 4 miles away.
Demystifying Pet Sitting as a Profession
Liu stresses that pet sitting is often misunderstood as an easy job. He highlights that client interactions can vary, and not all pets are well-behaved. He advocates for transparent pricing to set realistic expectations for both clients and fellow pet-sitters, emphasizing that it is a demanding job that requires self-care to avoid burnout. He now limits his work with puppies due to their demanding, irregular sleep schedules, which conflict with his full-time employment commitments.
If you have a lucrative side gig and want to share your story, email Jennifer Eum at jeum@insider.com.
