How Much Does Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Cost in New Orleans
As you set your goals and New Year’s Resolutions for 2021, you might be adding more travel into your plans for the year. Whether you plan to visit family, take a few long weekend trips, or a relaxing vacation on the beach you will want to make sure your pets are taken care of while you are away. Choosing the right pet sitter in New Orleans will be an essential step to bringing these travel plans to life, and you will want to compare cost and experience before making your selection. We have researched pet sitters in the New Orleans area and have provided some details on pricing so you can know what to expect. You will want to learn about the many different options you have when hiring someone to care for your pets including where to start looking for a sitter, and types of services offered, and pricing standards for each service.
There are several different types of pet sitting services to choose from, depending on your dog’s specific needs. Options such as pet sitting/drop-in visits, dog walking, overnight stays, boarding, doggy daycare, and even pet taxi services can be chosen to fit your needs. The cost can vary depending on the service you need and the length of the service. Your sitter’s experience will also play a factor in the rates that they charge for each service. We discuss each of these below and have included a range of prices. For more details on these types of services, see our article here. http://courtneyspetcare.com/blog/how-will-you-take-care-of-my-dog-as-a-dog-walker-pet-sitter/
Pet Sitting: Some pet sitters also refer to this service as a drop-in visits. These are usually 30, 45, or 60-minute visits where the sitter will feed and play with your pet, and give them a potty break. This option can be utilized during the workday if you work long hours or if you won’t be able to come home right after work. It is also a great option for when you are out of town. Most sitters will schedule 2-4 visits per day while you are out of town to give your dog plenty of time to “do their business” and ensure your pet is given the love and attention they need. The average cost starts at $15-30 for a 30-minute visit and will increase for longer visits.
Dog Walking: These visits can vary in length, most often are 30 or 60-minutes. This is a great way for your dog to get the exercise that he or she needs every day. These types of visits are not only great if you are out of town but can be utilized during the workweek as well so your dog is happy to relax with you when you get home! These visits are usually a little bit more expensive than just a typical drop-in visit but are absolutely worth it if you have a high energy dog or if your dog is in a crate during the day. Rates for dog walking in New Orleans is typically around $15-30 for 30 minutes and increase if you would like long walks or need additional time for feeding or socialization.
Overnight Stays: This service is when the sitter stays overnight in your home. This allows your pet to stay more on their usual schedule and is much less stressful than being boarded. Each pet sitter sets different schedules for this, so be sure to ask questions before you book with them. Some offer 8-12 hours guaranteed overnight and might include a midday potty break as well. Some charge by the hour and others may offer to stay overnight plus do a few drop-in visits during the days. Pricing for overnights usually is around $70 but can get as high as $150.
Boarding: This is similar to Doggy Day Care, but lasts overnight as well in the sitter’s home. This usually allows your dog to socialize with their resident dogs and the pet sitter may board multiple dogs at a time. Some sitters who board dogs may want your dog to be crate trained, for when they are not home or for overnight. Boarding costs might vary the most in our area and start around $35. When choosing a sitter to board your dog, you will want to do a meet and greet in their home to see where your dog will be kept, the areas they will be allowed to play, and to be sure your dog interacts well with any resident dogs.
Doggy Day Care: Many dog sitters will keep your dog during the day in their home for socialization and exercise throughout the day. This is great for dogs who have separation anxiety or dogs who are more high energy, that need more than just one or two walks each day. You can drop your dog off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. Most sitters who offer this have multiple dogs at a time which makes it a great experience for social pups! Doggy daycare usually costs about $25-35 for the day, and times will vary for each sitter.
Pet Taxi Services: Do you need to get your dog to the groomer but just don’t have the time in your workday? Pet taxi services might be just the thing you need this year! Many pet sitters can pick your pet up and take them to appointments, which can save you time and energy. The cost of this service can vary greatly depending on how far your sitter will need to travel with your pup. Most Pet Taxi Services start at $20, but the cost might also depend on mileage and times of service.
The cost will vary between each service and from one sitter to the next. You will most likely see a significant price difference between hobby sitters and professional sitters. Hobby sitters can be a great option, but this may not be their main job or they may just choose to pet sit because they love being around animals. Professional sitters have chosen to take care of people’s pets as more of a long term investment or career. Pet Sit USA has a great article on understanding the difference between hobby and professional sitters. See that post HERE. Hobby sitters can still take great care of your pets, but they tend to come and go and aren’t always a long term fit as opposed to someone who has been pet sitting for years and has invested time and money into their business.
Apps such as Rover, Wag, or Bark can be great resources for finding a new dog walker or pet sitter. They tend to have more hobby sitters, but many professional sitters also use these when starting out to gain clients. If you choose to use one of these apps, be sure to have a meet and greet with your potential dog walker or sitter to get to know more about them and their experience. These apps offer an affordable option for finding care for your pet, but be aware that you may want to pay a little more to find someone reputable. While the cost may be a little higher, choosing a pet sitter or dog walker with experience, qualifications, and testimonials can help give you peace of mind. You can rest assured that your pet is in caring, capable hands while you are away.
Courtney’s Pet Care Professionals strives to provide you with the absolute best care in the New Orleans area. Our sitters are experienced, insured, and trained to handle almost any issue that may arise while your pet is in our care. We have sitters available 24/7 to accommodate your schedule and needs. If you are ready to find a local pet sitter who truly cares about your fur babies, schedule a meet and greet today! Our process is quick and easy, fill out our form HERE. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and we even service packages to fit your budget and needs!
As you set your goals and New Year’s Resolutions for 2021, you might be adding more travel into your plans for the year. Whether you plan to visit family, take a few long weekend trips, or a relaxing vacation on the beach you will want to make sure your pets are taken care of while…