PetBacker is a pet care marketplace that runs in many countries, with local sites in places such as India and Spain. Pet service providers, which it calls Backers, offer pet sitting, boarding, dog walking, grooming, training, day care and pet taxi. Joining is free and you set your own rates. When you get a booking, PetBacker deducts a service fee of 15% to 25%, and that fee drops as you complete more jobs.
At a glance
| What it is | Marketplace for pet sitting and other pet services |
| Cost to join | Free |
| Who sets prices | The provider |
| Service fee | 15% to 25% per booking |
| Fee reduction | Lower as you complete more jobs |
| Payments | Escrow, released after the job |
How it works
You create a profile, list your services and rates, and receive requests from owners. Some jobs come as private requests to you, others as broadcast jobs sent to several providers, where you send a quote. The owner pays into escrow, and the payment is released to you after the job, minus the service fee.
The service fee
PetBacker’s help centre says new providers pay a service fee of 15% to 25% of the booking, reduced in levels as you complete more jobs through its incentive programme. Providers who offer their services exclusively on PetBacker get the full range of reductions, for both private and broadcast jobs. PetBacker says the fee covers payment processing, insurance on eligible bookings, support and promotion.
Strict rules on off-platform payments
PetBacker suspends providers suspected of taking payment outside the platform, without notice. Examples it lists include asking clients to shorten a booking on the platform, promoting other platforms or asking for cash. Keep every booking and extension inside the app.
The Sponsor programme
PetBacker also sells a yearly Sponsor subscription that adds a badge and more visibility, and it can be used to restore a suspended account. It’s optional; most new providers can start without it.
Getting your first jobs
Answer broadcast requests quickly with a clear, personal quote. Photos of your home, a description of your routine and a few early reviews make the biggest difference. Offering more than one service, such as walks and boarding, gives you more chances to be booked.
Keeping records
Track each booking, the fee level you were on and what reached you after the deduction. As your fee falls, you’ll see the effect directly in your earnings, and the records help at tax time.
Choosing your services
Start with the services you can deliver reliably, such as walks and drop-in visits, then add boarding or grooming once you have reviews and the space or skills to do them well.
Owen’s take
PetBacker rewards providers who commit to it, with a fee that falls as you work. Read the off-platform rules carefully, because they’re enforced strictly.
Who it suits
It suits pet sitters and groomers in markets where PetBacker is active and who are happy to work through one platform. It suits less well anyone who wants to mix clients from several apps.
Similar options
- Rover is the largest pet sitting marketplace.
- Pawshake works with a fixed 19% contribution.
- Holidog lets sitters set rates by hour, day, week or month.
- Mad Paws is the big platform in Australia.
More options are in Pets Care.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free to join
- Fee falls with completed jobs
- Many services beyond sitting
Cons
- Up to 25% fee at the start
- Strict suspension rules
- Best reductions need exclusivity
FAQ
How much does PetBacker charge providers?
A service fee of 15% to 25% per booking, lower as you complete more jobs.
Is it free to join PetBacker?
Yes, creating a provider profile is free.
How are payments handled?
Owners pay into escrow, and the payment is released after the job.
Can I take clients outside PetBacker?
No, PetBacker suspends providers who take payment outside the platform.
What services can I offer?
Pet sitting, boarding, walking, grooming, training, day care and pet taxi.
