Full-Time Weekday Pet Sitter & Dog Walker

Hands N Paws | Columbus, Ohio

Hands N Paws provides in-home pet sitting and dog walking for busy pet parents throughout Columbus. We’re looking for dependable, attentive people who love animals and understand the responsibility of being trusted with someone’s pets and home.

This work takes more than a love of animals. It requires careful preparation, reliable attendance, good judgment, and clear communication—even when the weather is unpleasant, a pet needs extra patience, or your day doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Before You Apply: Our Nonnegotiables

Consistent weekday availability
You must be available Monday–Friday, generally between 7 AM and 4 PM, year-round. This is an ongoing weekday role, rather than seasonal work or occasional visits between other commitments. Other obligations must allow you to reliably fulfill the visits you accept.

Travel throughout our service area
You must be willing to serve clients throughout our territory within I-270, including Bexley, Upper Arlington, and other Columbus neighborhoods. You cannot limit assignments to your own neighborhood or preferred part of town.

Reliable, independent transportation
You must have a valid driver’s license, an insured vehicle, and a dependable backup transportation plan. You’ll drive between clients’ homes throughout the day.

Care in all weather
Visits happen year-round, including rain, snow, heat, and cold. You must be comfortable working outdoors and following our weather and safety procedures.

Attention to every care instruction
You must read and follow each household’s instructions, review recent visit updates and client comments, and ask questions when something is unclear. Feeding, medication, access, and safety instructions require precision.

Professional communication and accountability
You must monitor our work communication channels during your working hours, respond promptly when needed, report concerns, and be receptive to feedback. If something goes wrong, we expect honest communication and follow-through.

A team approach
Our clients receive care from a team. You must be comfortable sharing information, learning from other caregivers, and maintaining consistent routines across visits.

Background screening
You must successfully complete our background check and reference process.

What You’ll Do

• Provide personalized pet care: Walk dogs, feed pets, refresh water, administer medication as instructed, clean litter boxes and pet accidents, and provide playtime and companionship.
• Prepare before arriving: Review pet profiles, home instructions, recent journals, and relevant client updates.
• Manage your route: Plan travel and visit order so you arrive within scheduled windows and provide each visit’s full allotted time.
• Adapt to individual pets: Notice body language, energy, and comfort levels. Use approved handling methods and seek guidance when needed.
• Protect pets and homes: Check walking equipment, prevent escapes, secure crates and gates, and follow each home’s locking and alarm instructions.
• Document each visit: Send clear, accurate notes and photos through our pet-care app, including completed tasks and any concerns.
• Maintain continuity: Respond to client questions and share useful observations so the next caregiver arrives informed.

What the Workday Looks Like

You’ll travel independently between clients’ homes, often completing 6–8 or more visits on busy days. Visits may involve energetic dogs, shy cats, detailed feeding routines, medication, or cleanup.

Your day will include driving, walking, outdoor activity, and documenting care on your phone. Travel and gaps between appointments are part of the schedule.

This position requires full weekday availability. Compensation is based on completed services; availability does not guarantee a fixed number of visits or paid hours.

What You’ll Need

• A valid driver’s license, insured vehicle, and backup transportation plan.
• A smartphone with reliable mobile data and comfort using scheduling, messaging, and pet-care apps.
• The ability to safely perform essential duties, including extended walking, stairs, bending, cleaning, and handling dogs of varying sizes and energy levels, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Strong time management, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.
• Patience with animals and respectful communication with clients and teammates.
• ​​​​​​​A willingness to learn, apply feedback, and follow established care procedures.

Compensation

Weekday team members are compensated as follows:

• 20-minute visit: $12
• 30-minute visit: $13.50
• 45-minute visit: $20
• 60-minute visit: $26

Additional earnings, when applicable:

• Multi-pet households: $3–$5 additional
• Same-day requests: $10 additional
• Holidays: $15 additional
• ​​​​​​​100% of client tips

Pay is issued biweekly by direct deposit. Earnings vary with completed services, applicable additions, and tips.

Ready to Apply?

If you can meet the availability, transportation, territory, and care expectations above, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for someone who takes pride in getting the details right—and understands how much peace of mind thoughtful, dependable pet care gives a family.

Hands N Paws is an equal opportunity employer. Drug-free workplace. E-Verify participant.