Fetch! Pet Care is a U.S. pet care franchise founded in 2002. Instead of a marketplace where you set your own prices, it’s a network of locally owned franchises that find clients, set the service menu and assign visits to their own dog walkers and pet sitters. Many work as independent contractors paid per visit, and the local owner handles marketing, scheduling and client support.
At a glance
| What it is | U.S. pet sitting and dog walking franchise |
| Founded | 2002 |
| How you work | For a local franchise, often as a contractor |
| Pay basis | Per visit, set by the franchise |
| Services | Dog walking, pet sitting, overnight care |
| Typical needs | Car, licence, daytime availability |
How it works
You apply to the Fetch! franchise that covers your area, usually through a local job ad. If you’re hired, the franchise sends you visits for clients it has already signed up: walks, drop-ins and overnight stays. You follow the client’s care notes, log your visits and get paid by the franchise.
What you earn
Pay is set by each franchise, not by you. A 2026 job ad for a franchise in Pennington, New Jersey, offered starting pay of $25 an hour on a per-visit basis, plus bonus pay and tips, for a part-time dog walker and pet sitter. Other locations will pay differently, so ask the local office how visits are paid and how long each one is.
Requirements
Ads typically ask for availability during business hours, a valid driver’s licence and reliable transportation, and some limit applicants to specific zip codes so visits stay close together. Expect a background check and an introduction to the franchise’s care standards before you start.
The trade-off
Working through Fetch! means you don’t find your own clients, chase payments or handle complaints, which is the hardest part of running a pet sitting business. In return you don’t set your rates and you take the visits the franchise needs covered. Reviews from contractors vary a lot by location, so the local owner matters.
Clients stay with Fetch!
Fetch!’s client agreements include a placement and referral fee if an owner hires one of its sitters directly within a year. Don’t plan on taking clients with you if you later go independent.
Taxes
If you’re paid as an independent contractor, no tax is withheld from your pay. Keep records of your visits and your mileage, which is often a large deductible cost for dog walkers who drive between visits.
What a visit looks like
A typical visit means letting yourself in with the client’s key or code, walking or feeding the pets, giving medication if needed, and leaving a short update for the owner. Overnight stays add evenings and early mornings in the client’s home. Ask how visits are scheduled and how much notice you get before saying yes.
Owen’s take
Fetch! suits people who want paid pet care work without building a client base. Ask the local franchise exactly how visits are paid before you sign, because pay and management vary a lot from one area to another.
Who it suits
It suits reliable people with a car who are free during the day. It suits less well anyone who wants to set their own prices or keep their own clients.
Similar options
- Rover lets you set your own rates and find your own clients.
- Wag is an app for on-demand dog walks.
- Pawshake works in several countries outside the U.S.
- PetBacker lowers its fee as you complete more jobs.
More options are in Pets Care.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clients found for you
- Local support and scheduling
- No platform fee to pay
Cons
- Franchise sets your pay
- Needs a car and daytime hours
- Quality varies by location
FAQ
How much does Fetch! Pet Care pay?
It depends on the local franchise; one 2026 ad offered $25 an hour per visit, plus bonuses and tips.
Am I an employee or a contractor?
Many sitters work as independent contractors; check with the local franchise.
Do I need a car?
Most ads ask for a driver’s licence and reliable transportation.
Can I set my own rates?
No, the franchise sets the services and pay.
Is Fetch! available outside the U.S.?
No, it’s a U.S. franchise network.
