December through March brings sub-zero wind chills, lake-effect snow, and heavy road salt along the Lakefront Trail. Chicago sitters rinse salt off paws between blocks, keep walks short during a polar vortex, and switch to indoor enrichment when the wind chill turns dangerous. Boarding peaks over the winter-holiday travel window and the June-to-August vacation stretch; daily lunchtime walks run steady year-round for downtown and North Side commuters. Lollapalooza weekend and the October marathon lift short-notice demand.
Petme · Chicago
Pet sitters in Chicago you can trust
0% owner fee. Cashback on every booking. $22,000 Protection Plan included.
Verified dog and cat sitters across Lincoln Park to Hyde Park in Chicago. 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 Chicago
ID check and background check on every profile. Rates and reviews when you open one.
5 average from 18 reviews by Chicago pet parents
Catherine
Availability confirmed 3d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Available for walking along with drop-in visits, feeding, playtime, overnight care and boarding for dogs and cats.
Chicago
From $20
Meghan
Availability confirmed 8d ago
Usually replies within an hour
Available for dog walks in Lincoln Park. I'm passionate about providing dogs with the love, attention, and care they deserve.
Chicago
From $19
Stephanie H
Availability confirmed 5d ago
Usually replies within a few days
I love caring for animals and truly enjoy the time I spend with them! I am a firm believer that our pets are also our children!
Chicago
From $20
Diane
Availability confirmed 5d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
I will take care of your pets as I would want mine to be taken care of! 🐾💓
Chicago
From $13
Andrea
Availability confirmed 3d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Your pet is your best friend, and you deserve the best🐶🐈🥰
Chicago
From $25
Alaina
Availability confirmed 6d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Hello! My name is Alaina, and im mom to two pups, my sweet Thanos (6 years old/pitbull) and my old man Dallas (10 years old/shih tzu). Life can get really busy, and I’m more than happy to help out and
Chicago
From $15
Emily M.
Availability confirmed 2d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Chicago cat sitter!
Chicago
From $15
Emily Allen
Availability confirmed 2d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
compassionate and dedicated pet lover around Lincoln Square
Chicago
From $11
Mayah
Availability confirmed 7d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Experienced Cat Sitter
Chicago
From $10
Monica
Availability confirmed 14d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Cuddles not cages
Bridgeview
From $25
Ruth H.
Availability confirmed 14d ago
Usually replies within a few days
As a lifelong dog and cat lover, I understand that your furry friends are family. I’m here to provide personalized, loving care tailored to their needs. With 5 years of experience pet sitting, I offer
Wilmette
From €20
Azra
Availability confirmed 6d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
hello I’m here as a animal lover looking to take care of your pets ! I had/have pets of my own ever since I was 5 so you can be sure they love me as much as Iove them!
Orland Park
From $15
Luciana Z Gutierrez Pedraza
Availability confirmed 9d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
WFH Flexible One family at a time
Wheeling
From $20
Erica
Availability confirmed 4d ago
Usually replies within a few hours
Your pets new best friend 💁🏻♀️🥰
Lake Forest
From $15
The cashback maths
What you actually save on a typical booking
Worked example: a 5-night dog-boarding stay in Chicago 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 Chicago: what to know
Pet care services in Chicago
Pet Boarding
Overnight stays at a sitter's home with personalized care and attention in Chicago
Dog Walking
Scheduled walks to keep your dog active, happy, and well-exercised in Chicago
House Sitting
In-home care where a sitter stays at your place with your pet in Chicago
Drop-in Visits
Quick check-ins for feeding, playtime, and potty breaks in Chicago
Doggy Daycare
Daytime supervision and socialization while you're at work in Chicago
Related Petme pages
Related pages for Chicago
Nearby metros
Pet sitters in cities near Chicago
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dog sitter cost in Chicago?
Overnight dog sitting in Chicago usually runs $45 to $80 a night, and a drop-in visit $18 to $28. 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 Chicago?
At Chicago rates of $45 to $80 a night, a 7-night stay comes to about $315 to $560. Two daily drop-in visits instead cost roughly $252 to $392 for the week. Many sitters discount longer stays, so ask before you book.
How much does a cat sitter cost in Chicago?
Most cat owners in Chicago book drop-in visits at $18 to $28 each, which covers feeding, litter and play. A week of daily visits comes to about $126 to $196. Cats usually stay calmer at home than in a boarding facility.
How much is a dog walker in Chicago?
Dog walkers in Chicago typically charge $17 to $28 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 Chicago?
Yes. Many Chicago 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 Chicago background checked?
Yes. Every Petme sitter in Chicago 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 Chicago?
Take your pet to the nearest Chicago 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 Chicago-specific rules I should know?
Illinois requires no state pet-sitter licence. Chicago enforces a citywide leash-and-waste ordinance, and the Park District restricts off-leash play to permitted Dog Friendly Areas that need an annual tag. Pet-sitting income is self-employment income on a federal Schedule C, with a 1099-NEC from Petme once your annual earnings pass the federal reporting threshold plus the flat Illinois state income tax.
Get Petme
Find a sitter, message in chat, book inside the app. Cashback lands automatically when the booking is done.
Find a sitter