Winter road salt and brick-paver cobblestones tear up paws between December and March. Boston sitters carry paw balm and rinse between blocks. January and February nor'easters trigger short-notice boarding cancellations and last-minute rebookings. University move-in (late August) and move-out (mid-May) drive the biggest cat-sitting surges as students leave town with cats they can't take. Marathon Monday weekend (third Monday in April), Thanksgiving, and Christmas-to-New-Year are the dominant boarding peaks. Red Sox night games and Bruins playoffs lift walk demand around Fenway and the North End.
Petme · Boston
Verified pet sitters in Boston
0% owner fee. Cashback on every booking. $22,000 Protection Plan included.
Verified dog and cat sitters across Back Bay to Cambridge in Boston. No service fee for pet owners, cashback on every completed booking, up to $22,000 through the Protection Plan for eligible vet costs.
0% owner fee + cashback
$59better off on Petme
$420
On Petme$407+$13 Cashback
Typical platforms$466+$46 Owner fee · 11-15%
Petme adds 0% owner fee and pays cashback (capped at $20 a booking). Typical platforms charge between 11% and 15% owner fees. Sitters set their own rates, so totals vary.
0%
Owner service fee on Petme
$22,000
maximum toward eligible vet costs
Cashback
On every booking
4.9 / 5
Average sitter rating
Verified pet sitters in Boston
ID check and background check on every profile. Rates and reviews when you open one.
5 average from 1 reviews by Boston pet parents
Saleia
Availability confirmed 7d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
fun and loving!
Boston
From $35
Mariana
Availability confirmed 10d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
meow! mari’s got you!
Cambridge
From $10
AnnaRose
Availability confirmed today
Usually replies within a few hours
I've spent years raising a super high-energy, reactive husky mix, and volunteering in shelters, so I'm used to handling 'spicy' cats and anxious dogs with a lot of patience.
Boston
From $15
Ava Simpson
Availability confirmed 3d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Hi I am Ava Simpson! Taking care of dogs and cats has been a small side hustle of mine for the past three years in my hometown. I defiantly want to continue doing so in Boston!
Boston
From $15
Logan
Availability confirmed 5d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Hi! I’m Logan and specialize in walking / caring for strong and active dogs who need plenty of exercise. I don’t discriminate though, and can cater to all types of pet and doggie needs!
Boston
From $20
Aldair Serrano
Availability confirmed 13d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
I love pets; it would make me very happy to look after your animal
Revere
From $50
Valentina
Availability confirmed yesterday
Usually replies within a few hours
your pets second home
Malden
From $20
Keira
Availability confirmed 4d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Caring, responsible and communicative animal lover looking to spend more time with pets while helping out pet owners in need! ⭐️
Milton
From $10
Mac
Availability confirmed yesterday
Usually replies within a few hours
Votet Best Of Boston's Top Dog Walker/ Boarder For The Last 3 Years Running!
Lynn
From $25
Meghan Masterson
Availability confirmed 4d ago
Usually replies within a few days
experienced pet care you can trust
Waltham
From $25
Oriana
Availability confirmed 4d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Happy walks, happy paws.
Waltham
From $18
Maria
Availability confirmed yesterday
Usually replies within an hour
Pampered Pet! I give lots of updates and photos for your peace of mind. Happy to take special needs/elderly dogs as well. We love them all!
Sudbury
From $85
Valeria
Availability confirmed 14d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Brockton
From $20
Tiffany
Availability confirmed 4d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Hi, I'm Tiffany. im a full time working SAHM and pet parent
Lowell
From $15
The cashback maths
What you actually save on a typical booking
Worked example: a 5-night dog-boarding stay in Boston at $65 per night. The sitter sets the same rate either way. The difference is what each platform stacks on top.
| Typical platforms | Petme | |
|---|---|---|
| Sitter rate (5 nights × $65) | $325 | $325 |
| Pet-owner service fee | $35–$50 | $0 |
| Booking subtotal | $360–$375 | $325 |
| Cashback earned | $0 | −$16 |
| Effective cost | $360–$375 | $309 |
The competitor column is a typical owner-side service fee on platforms that charge one on top of the sitter rate (Rover, Wag and Care.com all publish their current fees on their own sites, and those fees change). Petme charges pet owners 0% and credits cashback on every booking automatically into your Petme balance.
Comparison
Petme vs other US platforms
Typical platforms
Pet owners pay a platform service fee on top of every booking, added at checkout.
No cashback. Repeat bookings cost the same as the first.
Emergency vet costs limited or behind a paid tier, with caps and exclusions set out in each platform's own policy pages.
Sitter matching rotates you through whoever is available. No same-sitter guarantee.
Petme
Pet owners pay 0% on Petme. The sitter sets the rate, you pay only the rate.
Cashback on every completed booking, paid into your Petme balance instantly.
Up to $22,000 toward eligible vet costs through the Petme Protection Plan, at no extra cost.
Search and rebook the same sitter directly. Most Petme owners stick with one preferred sitter after the first 2–3 bookings.
Protection and cashback
Protection and cashback, automatic
Up to $22,000 for eligible vet costs
The Petme Protection Plan can contribute up to $22,000 toward eligible vet costs if your pet is hurt or falls ill during a booking made and paid through Petme. It is not insurance, and the Protection Plan terms set out what qualifies and how to ask for help.
Automatic cashback, no signup, no opt-in
When a booking completes, cashback on every booking is credited to your Petme balance straight away. Use the balance toward your next booking, no expiry, no minimum. The more you book, the more comes back.
How it works
How it works
Search your neighborhood
Pick your dates, choose a service, and browse verified sitters in your part of the city. Read profiles, reviews, and house rules before reaching out.
Message in chat, meet in person
Free meet-and-greet with any sitter before you commit. Hand over keys, share your pet's routine, and confirm any medical or feeding needs.
Book inside the app, get cashback
Confirm the booking, the sitter is notified, and cashback on every booking lands in your Petme balance automatically when the stay ends.
Local context
Booking a sitter in Boston: what to know
By neighborhood
Pet sitters in every Boston neighborhood
Each Boston neighborhood has its own pet-sitter market. Petme covers 16 of them with verified sitters, neighborhood-specific pricing, and the local walking routes your dog already knows.
Back Bay, BostonBeacon Hill, BostonSouth End, BostonSouth Boston, BostonSeaport, BostonJamaica Plain, BostonCambridge, BostonAllston-Brighton, BostonFenway, BostonNorth End, BostonDorchester, BostonCharlestown, BostonRoxbury, BostonWest Roxbury, BostonChinatown-Leather District, BostonLongwood Medical Area, Boston
Pet care services in Boston
Pet Boarding
Overnight stays at a sitter's home with personalized care and attention in Boston
Dog Walking
Scheduled walks to keep your dog active, happy, and well-exercised in Boston
House Sitting
In-home care where a sitter stays at your place with your pet in Boston
Drop-in Visits
Quick check-ins for feeding, playtime, and potty breaks in Boston
Doggy Daycare
Daytime supervision and socialization while you're at work in Boston
Local know-how
Pet care resources in Boston
The emergency hospitals, shelters and dog parks Boston owners and sitters actually use. Every detail below was checked against the organization's own site in June 2026.
Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA-Angell)
Emergency vet · Jamaica Plain. Nonprofit emergency and critical care hospital at 350 South Huntington Ave with 24/7 emergency service. Official site
Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Boston
Emergency vet · Boston. Emergency-only animal hospital in Boston, open 24/7 including weekends and holidays. Official site
Animal Rescue League of Boston
Shelter and rescue · South End (10 Chandler St). Nonprofit animal welfare organization with its Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center at 10 Chandler Street. Official site
MSPCA Boston Adoption Center
Shelter and rescue · Jamaica Plain. MSPCA adoption center at 350 South Huntington Ave, open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm, closed Mondays and holidays. Official site
Joe Wex Dog Recreation Space at Peters Park
Dog park · South End. Boston's first city-sanctioned off-leash dog park, over 13,000 sq ft with a separate small-dog area, opened November 2007. Official site
Nearby metros
Pet sitters in cities near Boston
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dog sitter cost in Boston?
Overnight dog sitting in Boston usually runs $50 to $95 a night, and a drop-in visit $23 to $40. Each sitter sets their own rate on their profile, and Petme adds no owner fee on top, so the rate you see is the rate you pay.
How much should I pay a dog sitter for a week in Boston?
At Boston rates of $50 to $95 a night, a 7-night stay comes to about $350 to $665. Two daily drop-in visits instead cost roughly $322 to $560 for the week. Many sitters discount longer stays, so ask before you book.
How much does a cat sitter cost in Boston?
Most cat owners in Boston book drop-in visits at $23 to $40 each, which covers feeding, litter and play. A week of daily visits comes to about $161 to $280. Cats usually stay calmer at home than in a boarding facility.
How much is a dog walker in Boston?
Dog walkers in Boston typically charge $22 to $36 per 30 to 60 minute walk. Regular weekday walks are the most common booking, and you pay the walker's rate with no owner fee added at checkout.
Can a sitter stay overnight at my home in Boston?
Yes. Many Boston sitters offer house sitting, staying overnight so your pets keep their routine and your home is not left empty. Each sitter lists the nights they are free and their nightly rate, and you can meet them before you hand over keys.
Are pet sitters in Boston background checked?
Yes. Every Petme sitter in Boston passes identity verification with a government ID and a background check before their profile goes live. Profiles show the sitter's photos, videos and reviews from other owners, so you can compare before you message anyone.
What happens if my pet needs a vet during a stay in Boston?
Take your pet to the nearest Boston vet first. The Petme Protection Plan can then contribute up to $22,000 toward eligible vet costs from an incident during a booking made and paid through Petme. It is not insurance, and the Protection Plan terms set out what qualifies.
What about Boston-specific rules I should know?
Massachusetts requires no state pet-sitter licence. City of Boston ordinance 16-1.10 requires dogs leashed in public and waste picked up; off-leash hours run before 9am at Boston Common and Public Garden (subject to seasonal posting). Cambridge and Brookline have separate municipal leash and licence rules.
Get Petme
Find a sitter, message in chat, book inside the app. Cashback lands automatically when the booking is done.
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