Are you the person friends call when they need someone to feed the cat, walk the dog or look after their pets for the weekend?

Maybe you’ve worked with animals for years. Perhaps you’re a groomer, breeder, vet nurse or trainer looking for another way to use your experience. Or maybe you’ve simply reached a point where you’d love to turn your experience with animals into something more.

Becoming a pet carer can be rewarding and flexible, but there’s a little more to it than spending your day surrounded by cute dogs and cats.

Pet owners are trusting you with an important member of their family.

That means being reliable, following instructions, communicating well and understanding that every pet has their own personality, routine and needs.

So, could becoming a Wagly Pet Professional be right for you?

Let’s take a look.

What Does a Pet Carer Actually Do?

The simple answer is: you help care for someone’s pet when they can’t be there.

But good pet care goes much further than filling a food bowl.

Depending on the service you offer, you might be walking a dog, staying with a pet while their owner is away, providing home visits, caring for an animal overnight or helping maintain their usual routine.

Your day could involve feeding, refreshing water, exercise, play, cleaning up after pets and providing plenty of companionship.

You may also need to follow medication or health-care instructions where these fall within your experience and the agreed service.

And then there’s communication.

A quick photo or message letting an owner know their dog has eaten dinner, enjoyed their walk and is now snoring on the couch can mean a lot when they're away.

Being a good pet carer isn't just about loving animals. It’s about helping owners feel confident that their pet is safe, comfortable and being well cared for.

Could Pet Caring Be for You?

There isn't just one type of person who may be suited to pet caring.

You might be:

• The pet owner friends and family already trust with their animals

• A vet nurse or animal-care professional looking for flexible additional work

• A dog trainer or groomer wanting to expand the services you offer

• An experienced or retired breeder with years of hands-on knowledge

• Studying veterinary science, animal behaviour or another animal-related field

• Returning to the workforce and looking for something flexible and meaningful

• A stay-at-home parent looking for work that can fit around other commitments

• A retired groomer who would still love to care for a few dogs

• An existing mobile groomer or Pet Professional wanting another way for pet owners to find your business

What matters is being realistic about your experience.

You don't need to know how to do everything.

In fact, knowing what you shouldn't offer is just as important as knowing what you can.

If you’re comfortable walking and pet sitting but have no experience with newborn puppies, for example, breeder support probably isn't the service to add to your profile.

Start with what you know and do well.

What Pet Care Services Could You Offer?

One of the benefits of working in pet care is that there are many different ways to use your skills.

Depending on your experience and circumstances, you might choose to offer services such as:

• Pet sitting

• House visits

• Dog walking

• Day care

• Home boarding

• Grooming

• Pet transport

• Feeding and care visits

There are also more specialised areas of pet care.

Wagly includes specialist services such as Wedding Dog Chaperones, breeder support, whelping assistance, dog show handling and NDIS-related pet support.

These aren't services everyone should offer.

Specialist care may require particular experience, training or credentials, and carers should only provide services they are genuinely capable of delivering safely and confidently.

Do You Need Professional Experience?

Not every type of pet care requires the same background.

Someone offering general dog walking won't necessarily need the same experience as someone supporting a breeder through a whelping or handling a show dog.

Practical experience matters.

Maybe you've spent years caring for your own animals. Perhaps you've volunteered with animals, worked in the pet industry or completed animal-care training.

Pet first-aid training and animal-care or behaviour courses can also be valuable additions to your knowledge.

The important thing is to be open about your skills and experience.

Pet owners aren't expecting every carer to be a vet nurse, trainer, groomer and breeder rolled into one.

They need to know that the person they choose is capable of providing the particular care their pet needs.

How Flexible Is Pet Caring?

For many people, flexibility is one of the things that makes pet caring appealing.

You may want to build a pet-care business, add another service to an existing business or simply offer care around your other commitments.

The type of services you choose will also affect when you're needed.

Dog walking may fit into regular daytime hours. Wedding chaperoning may involve weekends. Pet sitting and boarding can include overnight care, while breeder support may involve less predictable hours.

The important part is being realistic about your availability.

If you say you're available, an owner needs to be able to rely on you.

Flexibility works best when it works for both the carer and the pet owner.

Building Trust With Pet Owners

Imagine handing your house keys to someone you've only recently met and then leaving them responsible for your dog or cat.

That's a big deal.

Trust is one of the most important parts of pet care.

It starts with listening.

Owners may have detailed feeding instructions, medication routines, behaviour concerns or seemingly tiny details about their pet that actually matter quite a lot.

She won't eat unless you put a little water in her food.

He hates thunderstorms.

Don't open the front door until you've closed the hallway gate.

These details matter.

Good communication matters too.

Let owners know how their pet is going, send updates when agreed and be upfront if something unexpected happens.

And do the simple things well.

Arrive when you say you will. Follow the care instructions. Respect the owner's home. Ask questions if you're unsure.

Those small things are what help turn a first booking into an owner who feels comfortable choosing you again.

What Should You Consider Before Starting?

Loving animals is important, but before offering pet-care services, think about what the work will actually involve.

Ask yourself:

• How much time can I realistically commit?

• Do I have reliable transport if I need to travel to clients?

• Am I comfortable caring for different breeds, sizes, ages and temperaments?

• Which services genuinely match my experience?

• Is my home suitable if I plan to offer boarding or day care?

• How would this affect my own pets or family?

• Do I understand the business, insurance and other responsibilities that may apply to the services I provide?

You don't need to offer everything from day one.

Starting with the services you're most comfortable providing gives you time to build experience, confidence and your reputation.

What Is Wagly Verified?

When you're asking someone to trust you with their pet, credibility matters.

Wagly Verified is designed to help pet owners identify Pet Professionals who have completed Wagly's verification requirements.

For a carer, verification can help provide another layer of reassurance for owners who are comparing their options and deciding who they feel comfortable contacting.

Your profile still matters.

Your experience, the way you describe your services, how you communicate, and the care you provide all contribute to the reputation you build.

Rather than trying to look like you can do everything, focus on showing pet owners what you genuinely do well.

How Do You Get Started With Wagly?

If pet caring sounds like something you'd enjoy, the first step is deciding what you can realistically offer.

Think about your experience, availability and the type of animals you're comfortable caring for.

Then create your Wagly Pet Professional profile and provide information about your experience and the services you'd like to offer.

Depending on the services and membership option you choose, there may be additional onboarding or verification requirements.

It's worth checking Wagly's current membership options and Pet Professional requirements when you register so you have the most up-to-date information.

Take some time with your profile too.

Tell people about your experience, the type of care you provide and why you enjoy working with animals.

A profile that sounds genuine is much more useful than one that simply says:

"I love dogs."

Lots of people love dogs.

Tell owners why they should feel comfortable trusting you with theirs.

Could This Be Your Next Step?

There are plenty of reasons someone might consider becoming a pet carer.

Maybe you want more flexibility.

Maybe you're already working in the pet industry and want another way to connect with clients.

Or maybe animals have always been part of your life, and you've wondered whether that experience could become something more.

Whatever brings you to pet care, start with the same question:

What kind of care can I confidently provide well?

Build from there.

You don't have to offer every service or be available every day.

Be reliable. Know your strengths. Keep learning. Communicate well.

And most importantly, remember that behind every booking is an owner trusting you with a pet they love.

FAQs

Do I need professional pet care experience to join Wagly?

Not every pet care service requires the same level of experience. What matters is being honest about your skills and only offering services you are confident and capable of providing. Specialist services may require additional experience, qualifications or credentials.

What types of pet care services can I offer through Wagly?

Depending on your experience and circumstances, opportunities may include pet sitting, dog walking, day care, boarding and more specialised pet-care services.

Can I choose which pet care services I want to offer?

You can focus on services that suit your experience, lifestyle and the type of care you're comfortable providing. You don't need to offer every type of pet care.

Can I become a pet carer if I already have another job?

Pet caring may suit people looking for flexible work alongside other commitments. Think realistically about how much time you can offer and make sure the availability you provide is reliable.

What is Wagly Verified?

Wagly Verified helps pet owners identify Pet Professionals who have completed Wagly's verification requirements. This can provide additional reassurance when owners are deciding who they feel comfortable caring for their pets.

What makes a good pet carer?

Loving animals is a great starting point, but a good pet carer also needs to be reliable, patient and observant. Clear communication, following care instructions and treating each pet as an individual are equally important.

How do I get started as a pet carer with Wagly?

Start by creating your Wagly profile and providing information about your experience and the services you'd like to offer. You can then follow the current onboarding requirements for your chosen Wagly membership and services.

Related Reading

Looking for more Wagly insights? Explore these related articles to learn more about growing your pet care services and the opportunities available to Pet Professionals.

Grow Your Pet Care Business With Wagly: Join Australia’s Trusted Pet Care Marketplace

Why “Grown Here” Matters: The Benefits of Choosing a 100% Australian-Owned Pet Care Platform Over Global Corporate Apps

What Is a Whelping Watch and When Might a Breeder Need One?

Until next time

The Wagly Team