Demand for dog walking services in New York City has surged by 25% in the past year, with full-time dog walkers earning six-figure salaries, as reported by Ms. Liu. As various industries recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend of remote work is declining, and companies are encouraging employees to return to the office for improved collaboration. For instance, Amazon recently mandated that all its employees work on-site daily.
This shift has contributed to the rise of the dog walking industry, as many people adopted pets during lockdowns for companionship. According to The New York Times, over 23 million households across the U.S. welcomed a new dog or cat during the pandemic, nearly one-fifth of all U.S. households. The Atlantic notes that many of these “pandemic puppies” were raised indoors and lack socialization, resulting in a greater need for companionship and care.
Busy professionals often opt for dog walking, daycare, and pet-sitting services. In addition to local dog daycare facilities, apps like Wag! and Rover facilitate connections between pet owners and caregivers. Rates for dog walking services in NYC generally hover around $20 per session on Rover. A report from The New York Times indicated that while novice dog walkers might earn about $14 for a 30-minute walk, more experienced walkers servicing high-income clients can make up to $100,000 annually. The New York Post reported a 25% increase in dog walking orders on the Rover platform from July to September compared to the previous year.
On the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, an account named “Abo Just Wants to Chill” shared its experience of earning a living as a full-time dog walker. In August, they earned $4,206, with the top three clients accounting for 76% of that income. In September, their earnings rose to $4,752, with over 80% coming from the primary clients. They noted that they initially relied on dog-walking service platforms but gradually developed a client base over six months before becoming independent of the platforms.
Mr. Cai, who lives and works in New York City, has a one-and-a-half-year-old shepherd. He mentioned that due to the breed’s high energy levels, he needs to send his dog to daycare at least twice a week. “We chose a daycare close to home, and it’s about $55 for a full day; that adds up to at least $400 to $500 a month,” he explained. Despite the costs, the demand remains high, as evidenced by the numerous dogs often seen in photos and videos from the daycare.
Beyond New York, the dog walking industry is also on the rise nationwide. Ms. Liu from Seattle began offering dog boarding and daycare services on the Rover platform as a side job since last October. She humorously remarked that the growing demand is blurring the lines between her side job and a full-time career, with her monthly earnings stabilizing between $6,000 and $7,000. She usually hosts five dogs during busy weekends or holidays but only one or two when it’s quieter—yet clients remain consistent.
