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Social ServiceISCO 5164

Pet sitter

A pet sitter is a person who looks after other people's animals for pay: walking a dog, boarding it at the sitter's own home, caring for it in the owner's home, taking it for day care, and transporting animals from one place to another. The sitter stands in for the owner while the owner is away.

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Rate 5 of the 18 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

control animal movement

manage animal biosecurity

provide nutrition to animals

provide an enriching environment for animals

assist in transportation of animals

About pet sitter

Daily care comes first. The sitter feeds the animals on the schedule the owner has set, organises exercise for them, and provides an enriching environment so a dog or a cat left alone has something to do. Safe and appropriate handling techniques apply at every step, including the moments that go wrong: a frightened animal in an unfamiliar home, a dog that will not come back on a walk.

Health is watched rather than treated. The sitter monitors the animal's health and welfare as a routine, and keeps records of what was eaten, what was given and what changed, which is what the owner and a veterinary surgeon both need afterwards.

Where several animals are in care at once, the sitter manages animal biosecurity between boarders, applies safe working practices drawn from veterinary settings, and understands animal welfare well enough to judge when an animal should not be mixed with others at all.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (18)

biosecurity related to animalsbiosecurity related to animalsAwareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behav...environmental enrichment for animalsenvironmental enrichment for animalsTypes, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, so...safe work practices in a veterinary settingsafe work practices in a veterinary settingSafe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, ...animal behaviouranimal behaviourThe natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.manage animal biosecuritymanage animal biosecurityPlan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working ...provide nutrition to animalsprovide nutrition to animalsProvide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'.provide an enriching environment for animalsprovide an enriching environment for animalsProvide an enriching environment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, and including adjusting environmental conditions, delivering feeding and puzzle exercises, and implementing m...assist in transportation of animalsassist in transportation of animalsAssist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transpor...provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians ...manage animal welfaremanage animal welfarePlan, manage and evaluate the application of the five universally recognised animal welfare needs as appropriate to species, situation and own occupation.apply animal hygiene practicesapply animal hygiene practicesPlan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals,...implement exercise activities for animalsimplement exercise activities for animalsProvide exercise opportunities that are suitable for respective animals and meet their particular physical requirements.'.handle veterinary emergencieshandle veterinary emergenciesHandle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of...
Optional (22) — show
physiology of animalsphysiology of animalsThe study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.anatomy of animalsanatomy of animalsThe study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.animal speciesanimal speciesThe characteristics of different species and breeds of animals (relevant to the occupation).understand the animal's situationunderstand the animal's situationCategorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.cope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sectorcope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sectorMaintain a positive attitude during challenging situations such as a misbehaving animal. Work under pressure and adapt to the circumstances in a positive manner.'.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.manage a small-to-medium businessmanage a small-to-medium businessManage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.calculate rates per hourscalculate rates per hoursMake simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.keep task recordskeep task recordsOrganise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.assess animal's conditionassess animal's conditionInspect the animal for any external signs of parasites, disease or injury. Use this information to determine own actions and report your findings to owners.handle petty cashhandle petty cashHandle petty cash for minor expenses and transactions required for the daily running of a business.make decisions regarding the animal's welfaremake decisions regarding the animal's welfareMake a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.provide dog walking servicesprovide dog walking servicesProvide dog-walking services, including activities such as agreement of services with the customer, selection and use of handling equipment, interaction with the dog, and safe and responsible dog walk...maintain animal accommodation hygienicmaintain animal accommodation hygienicMake sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.understand the needs of animalsunderstand the needs of animalsLearn and understand the needs of an animal and practice concern for its well-being, no matter how small the task.'.provide home pet sitting servicesprovide home pet sitting servicesProvide pet sitting services in the home or property of the animal's owner. Account for the security and integrity of the premises and follow specific owner requirements for the care of the animal in ...breed reptilesbreed reptilesPrepare a suitable environment for reptile breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate terrariums for specific kinds of reptiles. Monitor the reptile's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. I...follow client animal handling programmefollow client animal handling programmeHandle and train animals using the methods and resources specified by the owner.'.groom animalsgroom animalsPrepare the environment for grooming, select the correct grooming equipment and grooming methods for the animal. Apply occupational health and safety principles, of basic animal anatomy and physiology...deal with challenging peopledeal with challenging peopleWork safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how...

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

animal care attendant18 shared essential skillsanimal handler17 shared essential skillsanimal behaviourist15 shared essential skillsanimal trainer14 shared essential skillsgeneral veterinarian14 shared essential skillslive animal transporter14 shared essential skillsveterinary nurse13 shared essential skillsanimal groomer12 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a pet sitter do?

Pet sitters provide animal-sitting services including dog walking, home-boarding, pet/home sitting, day boarding and animal transportation services. They maintain records, use appropriate and safe handling techniques and do routine monitoring of the health and welfare of the animal.

What skills does a pet sitter need?

A pet sitter needs 18 essential skills, including biosecurity related to animals, signs of animal illness, animal welfare legislation, animal welfare, environmental enrichment for animals.

Will AI replace pet sitter jobs?

The AI disruption score for pet sitter is 20/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: calculate rates per hours, follow work schedule, handle petty cash. Most resilient: provide dog walking services, control animal movement, assist in transportation of animals.

Quick Facts

SectorSocial Service
ISCO GroupPersonal service workers
Essential Skills18

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