Summary
- A 30-minute walk costs $20–30 (US) or £12–20 (UK).
- Overnight house sitting runs $65–120 or £45–90 a night.
- Check care, custody and control insurance, not just liability.
- UK home boarding and daycare need a local authority licence.
- Always run a paid trial and agree emergency vet authority.
Quick answer
A 30-minute dog walk costs $20–30 in the US and £12–20 in the UK. Home visits for cats cost $18–28 or £12–18 per visit, and overnight house sitting $65–120 or £45–90 per night.
Typical 2026 prices
| Service | US | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Dog walk, 30 min | $20–30 | £12–20 |
| Dog walk, 60 min | $28–45 | £18–28 |
| Group walk (per dog) | $18–25 | £10–16 |
| Cat / small pet visit | $18–28 | £12–18 |
| Doggy daycare, per day | $35–60 | £22–40 |
| Overnight house sitting | $65–120 | £45–90 |
| Boarding kennel, per night | $40–75 | £25–50 |
| Holiday surcharge | +25–50% | +25–50% |
Puppies, reactive dogs, medication administration and multiple animals usually add to the rate.
What to check
The trial
Always book a paid trial walk or visit while you are at home, then a second while you are out. Watch how they greet your animal, whether they ask about triggers and recall, and whether they send a message or photo afterwards. A sitter who volunteers updates without being asked is usually the right one.
What to agree in writing
Warning signs
No insurance certificate, reluctance to do a trial, vague answers about group sizes, no emergency plan, and requests to hold keys without any written agreement.
Summary
Budget £12–20 or $20–30 for a half-hour walk and £45–90 or $65–120 for overnight sitting. Check insurance and licensing, do two trials, keep group sizes small, and agree emergency vet authority in writing before your first trip away.