Travel the World as a Pet Sitter: Your 2025 Guide to Petsitting Abroad 🐾

Petsitting Abroad: The Travel Hack You Didn't Know You Needed! 😻

Ever dreamed of waking up in a cozy home in France, sipping coffee with a cat in your lap before heading out to explore cobblestone streets? Or maybe you want to spend a month in Australia taking care of two goofy dogs while using it as a base to explore the beaches. This isn’t a fantasy, it’s what life looks like as a traveling pet sitter.

Pet sitting while traveling is one of the best hacks for seeing the world on a budget. You exchange your time and care for animals in exchange for free accommodation (and sometimes the best local tips you’ll ever get). We’ve been traveling as pet sitters with TrustedHousesitters for over a year now, and it’s completely changed the way we explore the world.

What Is Traveling Pet Sitting?

Traveling pet sitting is exactly what it sounds like—you care for people’s pets while they’re away, and in exchange, you get a place to stay. Unlike traditional house sitting, it’s more about the pets than the house. You might be taking care of dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, or even alpacas (yep, that’s real).

Instead of dropping money on hostels or Airbnbs, you get to live like a local, have furry friends to hang out with, and drastically cut down your travel costs.

Our Recommended Platform: TrustedHousesitters

When we first heard about TrustedHousesitters, we weren’t sure if it was legit. But after dozens of sits around the world, we’re hooked. Here’s why we love it:

• Global network: From London to Lisbon to Sydney, there are sits all over the world.

• Affordable membership: One annual fee unlocks unlimited sits (we saved thousands of dollars in accommodation our first year).

• Verified reviews: Both sitters and owners leave reviews, so you know what you’re walking into.

• Insurance and support: Extra peace of mind when you’re traveling far from home.

📍 Meadering in Montefalco, Italy 🇮🇹

How to Become a Traveling Pet Sitter

Ready to jump in? Here’s how to get started:

1. Sign Up on TrustedHousesitters

Create a profile that shows your love for animals, petsitting experience, and responsibility. Pet owners want to know their animals will be safe, happy, and loved while they’re away.

2. Build Your Profile with References

If you’re brand new, ask friends or family to write you a character reference (bonus points if you’ve cared for their pets before). Over time, glowing reviews from pet owners will make it easier to land dream sits!

3. Apply Early and Often

Sits in popular destinations (think Paris or New York) go fast. Apply as soon as listings go live, and personalize your message so owners know you’ve actually read their posting.

4. Be Flexible

Some of our best sits weren’t in the biggest cities - they were in small towns with lots of charm (and usually fewer applicants). Keep an open mind, and you’ll be rewarded with unique experiences.

5. Take the Leap

Your first sit might feel intimidating, but once you start, you’ll realize it’s a win-win: the pets get care, and you get an adventure.

📍 Sunday Cuddles in Bonn, Germany! 🇩🇪

Benefits of Traveling as a Pet Sitter

• Free accommodation: This is the big one. Accommodation is usually a traveler’s largest expense, and pet sitting takes it off the table.

• Animal therapy: Travel can be exhausting, but having pets to cuddle at the end of the day is pure joy.

• Live like a local: You’ll stay in neighborhoods, shop at local markets, and see the non-touristy side of your destination which was honestly our FAVORITE part!

• Community: TrustedHousesitters is full of like-minded people who love animals and travel.

Things to Know Before You Start

• You’ll need flexibility - this isn’t like booking a hotel.

• Some sits come with big responsibilities (multiple pets, gardens, or even farm animals). Make sure you’re up for the task.

• It’s not paid. The exchange is your time and care for free accommodation.

• You’ll want travel insurance (we use SafetyWing) for peace of mind.

📍 Outskirts of London, United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Our Favorite Petsitting Experiences

From cuddly cats in Germany to five adorable dogs in the Italian Countryside, every sit has been unique. Some have given us free bikes to explore, others included long country walks we never would’ve discovered otherwise. Every single sit has made us feel more connected to the place we were visiting. I even have been able to cross items off my bucketlist. Such as: Learning Conversational French whilst we were sitting 3 dogs in southern France. Shoutout to the local boulangerie for patience with my French. 

📍 Dogwalk in Assisi, Italy 🇮🇹

Final Thoughts

Becoming a traveling pet sitter is hands down one of the best ways to see the world. You’ll save money, travel slower, and connect with both locals and animals in a way traditional travel just can’t offer.

If you’re an animal lover with a serious case of wanderlust, petsitting might just be your ticket to a more adventurous (and affordable) lifestyle.

🐾 Ready to start? Check out TrustedHousesitters and begin your journey as a traveling pet sitter today! It is free to sign up, and if you are ready to join the community use code TGA25 for 25% OFF your annual membership! 🐾 ✨