Pet sitting in Switzerland: 22 questions answered for 2026 sitters

Earnings depend on the mix of services and the hours you put in. Active Petme sitters in Switzerland typically earn CHF688–CHF2064 per month. Sitters who lean into overnight boarding and house sitting reach the top of that range, while drop-in and dog-walking-only sitters sit in the lower half. You keep up to 90% of every booking: Petme's service fee is 10-15%.

A common pattern: 3–5 dog walks during weekday lunchtimes, 1–2 drop-in visits in the evenings, and one overnight stay across the weekend. That's roughly 12–15 hours of actual paid time per week and clears CHF180+ before factoring in repeat clients. Sitters who go full-time stack multiple boarding stays back-to-back.

Dog walking pays CHF20–CHF40 per walk on Petme. A 30-minute neighbourhood walk is typically priced near the lower end; longer walks, multi-dog walks, or walks in busy city centres command the upper end. You set your own rate when you build your profile.

Boarding at the sitter's home pays CHF50–CHF100 per night, and house sitting (you stay at the owner's home) pays CHF60–CHF120 per night. Boarding is where most full-time Petme sitters concentrate their income because the per-booking value is the highest.

Petme takes 10-15% from each completed booking and the sitter keeps up to 90%. There's no signup cost, no monthly subscription, and no charge to keep your profile live. The fee covers payment processing, customer support, and the Petme Protection Plan that covers every booking automatically.

Payouts are released automatically once a booking is marked complete in the Petme app. The money lands in your bank account within 2 business days. You don't need to invoice the owner or chase payment: the platform handles it end-to-end.

Every booking is covered by the Petme Protection Plan, which includes up to 20,000 in veterinary expenses if something happens to the pet in your care. It's automatic on every reservation: no separate purchase, no claim paperwork upfront. Petme also offers 24/7 customer support so you're never left handling an emergency alone.

No formal qualifications are required to apply as a Petme sitter. You need to be 18 or older, own a smartphone capable of running the app, complete ID verification, and demonstrate genuine experience around animals during your profile review. Some local rules apply for commercial-scale boarding: see the country-specific question below.

Most new sitters in Switzerland go live within 24–48 hours of submitting verification. Your first booking typically lands within 1–2 weeks if your profile has at least 4 good photos, a written bio, clear service descriptions, and a competitive rate for your city. Sitters who add availability over a major holiday (Christmas, summer break) often book their first stay within days.

Yes: most Petme sitters in Switzerland start while working full-time elsewhere. Dog walking fits into lunchtime windows; drop-in visits work around evenings; weekend boarding stacks on top of a Monday-to-Friday office job. You set your own availability and accept only the bookings that fit your schedule.

Zürich is the largest market by booking volume, followed by Geneva and Basel. Bern, Lausanne, and Lugano are smaller but reliable markets with lighter sitter competition.

For regular income, yes. The cantonal tax office and the old-age and disability insurance authority register you as self-employed. Each canton has slightly different paperwork; most can be done online.

Yes. Income flows through your cantonal tax return; old-age and disability insurance contributions are paid separately as a self-employed person. Expenses are deductible within the cantonal rules.

Uber Eats and Smood riders in Zürich and Geneva clear CHF 22-28 per hour after costs. Petme pet sitting clears CHF 30-50 per hour effectively, with boarding pushing the average higher because of the per-night premium.

Zürich and Geneva sit at CHF 55-85 per night, Basel and Bern at CHF 45-70, Lausanne at CHF 50-75. Apartments with a garden or terrace command the upper end.

July to August (the summer break) is the main stretch. Christmas to New Year and the February ski-school break drive the winter peaks.

Yes for most sitters. Swiss retail and hospitality pay well by European standards (CHF 22-26 per hour) but Petme dog walkers clear CHF 30-45 per hour effectively, and boarders earn substantially more.

Swiss rates are 50-80% higher than equivalent German or Austrian rates in absolute terms. The cantonal patchwork of paperwork is more complex than the German federal-state structure. Client expectations (photo updates, premium grooming) are higher.

Bernese Mountain Dogs (locally everywhere), Labradors, Border Collies, and Australian Shepherds dominate Swiss Petme bookings. Bernese are large and need cool spaces in summer. Working breeds want real exercise. Swiss owners often request structured walking routes.

Yes: Zürich, Geneva, and Basel have active sitter chat groups (often trilingual). We connect you after approval.

"Document everything: feeding times, walk routes, vet protocols. Swiss owners read every line of your handover notes. That detail is why they pay premium rates." (Sandra R., Zürich)

Apply at petme.social/ch/become-a-pet-sitter. Verification typically returns within 48 hours.