Join Our Team
Get paid to care for pets!
Founded in 2016, Aggieland Pet Sitting has become a cherished part of the pet care community in Bryan-College Station, TX. We are an award-winning team of Pet Care Specialists, and we’re always on the lookout for dedicated animal lovers to join our team. At Aggieland Pet Sitting, our clients are not only clients, but FAMILY.
We are looking for responsible, mature individuals who are reliable, communicative, patient, and capable of working independently. This is not a job you can call out from easily! We invest in your training and growth, asking for a minimum commitment of 6 months, though we hope to have you as part of the team for years! While this is a very fun and rewarding job, we take our jobs very seriously and require our Pet Care Specialists to have an immaculate attention to detail and excellent communication skills.
As a member of our team, you’ll build lasting and meaningful relationships with a variety of pets, making each day unique and filfilling. You’ll also help make an impact in our community, stay active, and enjoy a flexible schedule.
Our job goes beyond playing with cute pets. We brave all weather conditions including Texas summer heat and rain, carry dogs up and down stairs, search for cats under every nook, clean up accidents, and go above and beyond for our clients.
If you thrive in a variable work environment and are looking for a role that’s both rewarding and educational, then this is the place for you! Continuous training on pet care and behavior is part of the deal, and administrative support is always a call or text away.
Please note that we can not guarantee set hours, and your schedule will be unpredictable, changing from week to week. This job is best for those with a flexible schedule and want supplemental income ($100-$500/week on average). We work outdoors in all weather, even Texas summers! We drive to our client’s homes, meaning you will be expected to drive your own vehicle for each visit.
Requirements, Skills, & Characteristics:
• At least 18 years old
• Ability to walk any size dog, in all weather conditions, at a brisk pace for at least 30 minutes (Equine experience is a plus!)
• Available year-round (this is not a seasonal position)
• Can commit to working with us at least 6 months from date of hire
• Live in or within 5 minutes of our service area, Bryan-College Station, TX
• Ability to lift and carry at least 50 lbs
• Have your own reliable transportation + valid Drivers License, auto insurance, and clean driving history
• Ability to commute and work in all types of weather
• Able to pass a federal background check
• Punctual, reliable, responsible, have strong work ethic, and can efficiently manage your time
• High attention to detail and excellent communication skills
• Confident with problem solving, stressful situations, and thinking on your feet
• Able to work independently while also being a team player
• Maintain a consistent work schedule for at least 6 months at a time, with availability to work holidays and weekends (non-negotiable, as these are our busiest times!)
Employee Benefits:
• Flexible schedule – We work around your other jobs/school schedules
• Competitive compensation + tips
• Time-and-a-half holiday pay
• Employee discounts
• Paid continuing education and certifications in our industry
• Liability insurance, bonding, and workers compensation insurance for your protection
• Growth opportunities
• In the field support
• Employee incentives, parties, and other fun perks!
• Free puppy kisses & paid exercise!
Pay Structure
This part-time position is designed for those seeking supplemental income. Our team is paid hourly, including the drive time between visits. Our team averages $15-18 per hour once client gratuity is factored in. Pet Care Specialists can make up to $1000 a month ($100-$500 per week on average) while fulfilling their pet cuddling needs each week!
Additionally, with us, you are an employee, not an independent contractor. You are protected by our liability insurance, bonding, and worker’s compensation insurance.
Growth Opportunities
Once we have determined that you are a great fit for our team, successful team members have the opportunity to grow with us through our growth pyramid. Long-term employees make between $17-$20/hr (including tips) depending on their longevity with the company, performance, and availability to work.
On top of client gratuity, you will receive performance-based bonuses, continuing educations and certifications in our industry, and ongoing training and support. Our team says that it’s the “best job ever” and “can’t believe they didn’t apply sooner!”
To make sure you are a GREAT fit for this position, we ask that you take the time to read the description of our Pet Care Specialist position and the details of working with us below. We look forward to reading your application!
Our Pet Care Specialists main responsibilities include:
- The overall safety and well-being of the pets in their care. We treat pets as if they’re our own.
- The safety and security of the home in which the pets live.
- Providing peace of mind through clear communication, quality photos, constant positive interaction with pets and knowledge of their care.
- Foster pet happiness through play, love, stimulation, manners training, activity and overall positive interaction with the pets in their care.
- Following specific instructions, paying attention to detail and attending to the “small things”.
- Thinking outside the box by asking questions, observing closely, and staying open minded to new ways of engaging pets.
- Being a team player and communicating both with management and the rest of the team regularly.
We work 7 days a week, with visits starting as early as 6am and ending at 10pm. Generally, visits begin between 6am-7am, and the last visit is scheduled to start no later than 9:30pm. As a Pet Care Specialist, you should be available to work during 1 of the 3 following times of day, at least a few days a week: mornings (6am-10am), midday/late afternoon (10am-5pm) or evenings (5pm-10pm). Working at least 1-2 weekends (Friday through Sunday) per month is required, as we rotate weekend shifts among staff for fairness. We do expect you to have availability during most holidays, as holidays are our busiest time of the year. We also expect a minimum commitment of 6 months from you, along with a successful background check and training completion.
As a Pet Care Specialist, your day will primarily be filled with abundant affection and attention from dogs and cats of every size, shape, and disposition. We cater to dogs as small as a pound and those that exceed 100lbs. We serve all breeds of dogs and cats, as well as any caged pets in the client’s home. We also care for farms including animals such as cattle, horses, chickens, rabbits, and more. Comfort and proficiency in caring for pets of all kinds and sizes are essential. This job demands consistent physical activity. Between playing with dogs in the backyard, cleaning up pet waste, walking dogs, cleaning litter boxes, picking up toys, and engaging with our clients’ pets, there’s not often a moment to sit down. But on the bright side, you’ll be paid for spending time outdoors, caring for adorable pets, and staying active! We also take care of additional home duties such as retrieving mail/packages, watering plants, setting out garbage cans, and rotating lights/blinds.
Pet Care Specialists have an active role, with pet care visits ranging from 20 to 60 minutes in length. Part of your role involves driving to and from visits. While we strive to schedule visits as geographically close as possible, there may be instances where you’ll spend 20-30 minutes driving between visits. Each visit is timed, and Pet Care Specialists are expected to remain engaged with the pets, attend to cleaning duties, and carry out their job responsibilities throughout the entire duration of the visit, avoiding personal phone use.
You will be required to drive to these visits, so a reliable car with good fuel economy is a necessity. Pet Care Specialists must also possess a smartphone with a high-quality camera. It’s crucial to have unlimited (or a very high) data limit. Our team uses an employee app that enables GPS tracking of visits, provides access to pet information, and facilitates communication with clients.
Working at Aggieland Pet Sitting provides the benefit of flexible scheduling. We can work around school, work and family schedules as long as ample notice is given. This is not a job where you can easily call in sick, but, with proper notice most schedules can be worked around. We can’t guarantee a set number of hours per week because we make appointments when our clients make reservations. You must be based within Bryan-College Station. The closer you live, the more profitable, practical, and beneficial the job is for you.
*Please note that because our demand is the HEAVIEST over holiday times, if you are unavailable for one or more holidays, you may not be considered for the position. Our heaviest demand times throughout the year are: Thanksgiving Week, Christmas Week, Spring Break Week, Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, and July 4th.
FAQS
What are the qualifications of this job?
Must have an insured and reliable vehicle and valid driver’s license.
Can pass a thorough background check, criminal and reference check. A background check may not include any misdemeanors or felonies.
Have a phone with GPS tracking capabilities. We use a mobile app to record all walks and visits to homes and verify location with GPS. Your phone must also have the ability to take and upload photos within the mobile app.
At least 18 years of age.
Be willing to walk dogs in all weather conditions including the summer heat, and rain.
Be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Able to commit to working with us for a minimum of 6 months.
Do I need to have previous pet sitting or dog walking experience?
Previous pet care experience is not required, however animal experience is definitely a plus!
What types of pets do you care for?
We care for all types of animals, big and small! We mostly care for dogs and cats, however we do have clients with horses, cattle, chickens, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, and more!
Can I bring my kids, friends, spouse, or pets along with me?
No. Only you are authorized to enter client’s homes. In addition, many of the pets we care for are not accustomed to being around other pets.
I have an old misdemeanor. Can I still work for you?
We require all of our Pet Care Specialists to be licensed, bonded, and insured under our company’s liability pet care insurance. One of the requirements of bonding is that you have a spotless criminal record. Therefore, you may not have any misdemeanors or felonies on your record.
How many hours a week will I work?
It’s important to understand that this is a part-time job, best for those looking for supplemental income. We are unable to guarantee a set number of hours each week. There may be some weeks you have little to no assignments, and then weeks where up to 20 hours will be available. The schedule is highly variable since we work when our clients need us!
Do I have to work holidays and weekends?
Because we provide services for clients when they are on vacation, our busiest times are weekends and holidays. We try to rotate our Pet Care Specialists on major holidays, but this may not always be possible due to current staffing levels and client demand. If you are not able to work on weekends or most holidays, you may not be considered for the position.
What does a typical schedule look like?
We do our best to assign visits within a 15-20 minute of each other. Because we serve the majority of Bryan-College Station, you must live within this area. This is a part-time job and Pet Care Specialists would not find it cost-effective to drive long distances to client homes.
Vacation Pet Sitting Visits: The typical client goes out of town anywhere from 3 to 7 days at a time, but could be up to 2 or 3 weeks at a time. Most clients opt for 2 visits in their home per day, but some choose 3 or even 4.
It’s not mandatory that you be available to work all shifts, as we attempt to assign clients to sitters whose schedules are compatible with theirs. However, the more availability you have, the greater the likelihood of being assigned visits as clients schedule them.
Two visits per day: We would do a morning visit between 6:00 am — 9:00am, and an evening visit between 5:00pm — 9:00pm. Visits are scheduled approximately 12 hours apart.
Three visits per day: Visits are spaced about 6 hours apart, so we would do a morning visit between 6:00 am – 9:00 am, a midday visit from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and an evening visit from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Dog Walking Visits: Clients who use this service generally work long hours during the week and are looking for someone to provide their pups with a potty break and a walk. Walk times vary between 20 – 60 minutes. Most walks occur between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
Because we work when our clients need us, this means our busiest times are weekends, summers, and holidays including the weeks before and after major holidays so you must have availability during these times.
What if I'm scared of certain animals or breeds?
We match our Pet Care Specialists to clients who best match the personality of the pets we serve. The more pets you are comfortable with, the greater the likelihood of being assigned visits as they are reserved by our clients.
What are working conditions like?
You must be comfortable walking dogs in all types of weather including rain and summer heat (safe temps only). We encourage you to dress comfortably and according to the current weather conditions. We will provide you with an Aggieland Pet Sitting t-shirt to wear during your shift.
Will I be giving medication to pets?
We do administer medications to pets. Whether it’s liquid medications, pills, injections, subcutaneous fluids or inhalers, we do it all! We match our sitters to clients based on experience level.
Why do I have to have a smartphone with GPS?
We utilize an industry-leading mobile app to check in and out of all of our visits. This is mandatory for all Pet Care Specialists. We send report cards and photos at the end of each visit and we verify visit lengths and dog walking routes with our phones GPS location tracking. GPS tracking must be enabled at all times while providing service.
Will clients contact me directly?
Clients make reservations through our mobile app. Our office will make assignments based on your availability. Clients communicate with our Pet Care Specialists through the mobile app and will not be contacting you on your personal phone or email. Prompt replies to our clients are expected and rarely does communication take place outside of scheduled visit times. Most replies take just a few seconds, so while it’s a very important part of the job, it takes very little time.