Explore pet sitting opportunities abroad for travellers who are comfortable taking temporary responsibility for dogs, cats and other companion animals while their owners are away or need additional help.

Pet sitting arrangements can take different forms. Some hosts offer accommodation in exchange for looking after their animals, some combine pet care with housesitting, gardening or light household tasks, and other positions may include meals, pocket money or paid work.

Pet sitting is not automatically the same as volunteering at an animal shelter or sanctuary. It usually involves caring for animals belonging to a private individual or household and following their established routine.

Some listings may be date-specific, archival or no longer available. Always check the publication date and confirm current responsibilities, dates, accommodation and financial arrangements directly with the host before making travel plans.

What is pet sitting?

Pet sitting means temporarily caring for another person’s companion animal. It often takes place in the animal’s own home while the owner is travelling, although arrangements can vary.

A sitter may live in the property for several days or weeks, visit the home at agreed times or stay with the host while providing additional help with animal care.

Dogs and cats are the most common animals involved, but listings may occasionally include rabbits, birds, poultry or other companion animals. Always confirm exactly which animals you will be responsible for before accepting an exchange.

Pet sitting and housesitting

Pet sitting and housesitting often overlap but they are not identical. Pet sitting focuses primarily on caring for animals, while housesitting may also involve responsibility for the property, garden, mail, security or other household tasks.

If the owner will be away, clarify whether you are responsible only for the animals or for the entire property as well.

A house and pet sitting arrangement can also limit how much time you are able to spend away from the property, particularly when animals need several walks, medication or regular supervision throughout the day.

Typical pet sitting responsibilities

Depending on the animals and the agreement, a pet sitter may help with:

• preparing food and providing fresh water;
• walking dogs and providing appropriate exercise;
• cleaning litter trays or animal areas;
• providing play, companionship and enrichment;
• maintaining the animal’s normal daily routine;
• following clear instructions for routine medication;
• monitoring the animal’s general condition;
• keeping the owner informed when requested;
• maintaining agreed areas of the home;
• watering plants, collecting mail or carrying out other light housesitting tasks when included in the arrangement.

The responsibilities should be agreed before the owner leaves. Looking after one independent cat is very different from caring for several energetic dogs, elderly animals or pets requiring medication and frequent supervision.

Questions to ask before accepting a pet sit

Ask for clear information about each animal’s feeding schedule, exercise, temperament, medical history, medication and normal behaviour.

You should also know how the animals behave around strangers, children and other animals, whether cats are allowed outdoors, whether dogs can ever be walked off lead and how long the animals can normally remain alone.

Ask for the contact details of the usual veterinarian and another trusted person who can make decisions if the owner cannot be reached.

Whenever possible, spending some time with the owner and animals before taking sole responsibility can help everyone understand the routine and identify potential difficulties.

Animals with medical or behavioural needs

An elderly, anxious, reactive or chronically ill animal may require considerably more experience than a healthy pet with a simple routine.

Ask specifically about separation anxiety, aggression, escape behaviour, resource guarding, fear of other animals, previous bites or other issues that could affect safety.

Medication instructions should be clear and preferably written down. Do not change doses, introduce medication or attempt veterinary treatment without appropriate instructions and professional guidance.

For dogs that struggle when their usual person is absent, Voluntouring has a separate guide about dogsitting an anxious dog.

Accommodation and exchange conditions

Pet sitting does not follow one universal exchange model. Some hosts offer free accommodation in return for animal care, while others include meals, additional household duties or another agreed arrangement.

Some pet sitting roles may also be paid. A paid position or a regular role involving substantial household or animal-care duties may be subject to employment and immigration rules in the destination country.

Before accepting an opportunity, clarify what accommodation is provided, whether utilities and food are included, whether other people will be staying in the property and exactly how much daily presence the animals require.

Also confirm whether you are allowed to leave for day trips or overnight stays. A placement that requires someone to be present every morning and evening may significantly limit independent travel.

Safety and emergency planning

A responsible pet sitting arrangement should include a clear plan for emergencies. Know what to do if an animal becomes ill, is injured, escapes or behaves unexpectedly.

Ask where carriers, leads, medication, veterinary records and emergency supplies are kept. If the owner will be difficult to reach, clarify in advance who can authorise veterinary treatment and how unexpected veterinary costs would be handled.

Never accept responsibility for an animal whose size, behaviour or medical needs are beyond your experience simply because accommodation is attractive or free.

Make sure your insurance is appropriate for your trip and covers the activities involved where applicable.

Pet sitting is not shelter volunteering

Caring for animals in a rescue centre, shelter or sanctuary is generally different from pet sitting. Shelter volunteering involves an organisation’s animals and may include cleaning, rehabilitation, socialisation and other structured animal-care activities.

A shelter listing should therefore only carry the Pet sitting tag when the opportunity genuinely includes a temporary sitting responsibility comparable to caring for particular animals while their usual caregiver is absent.

Travellers interested primarily in rescue organisations can instead explore animal shelter volunteering opportunities.

How to use this page

Browse the opportunities below and open the listing that interests you. Check the publication date carefully because pet sitting placements are often tied to specific periods when the owner will be away.

Look for the contact details or application instructions in the listing and introduce yourself with your preferred dates, expected length of stay and relevant experience with animals.

Before confirming your trip, make sure both sides have a clear understanding of the animals involved, daily routine, house rules, time off, accommodation, emergency arrangements and any financial conditions.

Voluntouring does not organise placements, select pet sitters, arrange visas or mediate between travellers and hosts. It does not process participant payments between travellers and hosts. Publication on Voluntouring.org does not in itself constitute verification, endorsement or a recommendation of an opportunity.

For additional guidance, read Voluntouring’s information about safety and legality in volunteering and work exchanges.

Related opportunities

• Dog sitting opportunities
• Volunteer projects with dogs
• Volunteer opportunities with cats
• Housesitting opportunities
• Animal care volunteering opportunities

Important: dates, animal-care responsibilities, accommodation, payments and other conditions can change. Confirm all current information directly with the host before making travel or financial commitments.

Last reviewed: September 2026.

Browse pet sitting opportunities around the world 🐕🐈

Browse the opportunities below and use the “Older Posts” navigation if available to continue exploring previous listings. Because many pet sitting arrangements are date-specific, always confirm current availability directly with the host.

Do you need a responsible traveller to care for your pets while you are away, or do you host another suitable pet-care exchange? You can submit your opportunity to Voluntouring.org for editorial review.

Submit a pet sitting opportunity