How do I hire a pet sitter?
Are you looking for a dog or cat sitter? Do you prefer private or professional pet care? Read on to find out which rules apply when hiring a pet sitter.
Unpaid, casual pet sitters
If neighbours or friends occasionally look after your dog or cat, you do not necessarily need to draw up a contract. However, we recommend writing down all the important information about your pet. This will make it easier for your casual pet sitter to look after your pet and keep your beloved animal happy.
Paid pet care through a private individual
It is also possible to pay a private dog sitter or cat sitter to look after your dog or cat. If your pet sitter is self-employed, you only pay the pet care bill. But what if this is not the case?
Registering a pet sitter with a mini-job
If your pet sitter regularly looks after your pet, they can work for you as part of a mini-job. An earnings threshold of € 556 per month applies to part-time work. You can conveniently register your pet sitter with the Minijob-Zentrale online, over the phone or by post.
Important: employment contract
An employment contract is not compulsory for part-time work. However, we recommend recording the most important points of your working relationship with your pet sitter in a contract, such as their hourly wage and working hours. A written contract provides clarity about the agreed terms for you and your pet sitter and gives you both legal certainty. A sample contract is available here: Sample employment contract for private households from Minijob-Zentrale
As well as an employment contract, we also recommend creating a checklist with the most important information about your dog or cat. This will ensure that your pet sitter is well prepared and can look after your cherished animal exactly as you wish.
Professional pet care
If you opt for professional pet care – e.g. dog kennels, a cattery or a self-employed, full-time pet sitter – they will clarify all the details with you in advance. Professional pet sitters will usually agree a pet care contract with you. We recommend reading through the contract in your own time and clarifying any questions before you sign it.
