Pet Sitter CV

Pet Sitter and Dog Walker CV Example with Job-Winning Writing Guide

To get a pet sitter or dog walker job, you need more than a love for animals. You need to write a clear CV to show you are reliable, skilled, and experienced. Pet owners want to know their pets are in safe hands.

Almost half of UK households own a pet. This means there is demand for pet care work, but also more people competing for these jobs.

You need a tailored CV because it helps you stand out. Employers will notice if you take time to match your experience to not only their needs but the needs of their pets.

Use this guide to:

• Know what to include in your CV.

• Structure each CV section effectively.

• Make your CV easy to read.

• Tailor your CV for the pet sitting or dog walking job you are applying for.

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Pet sitter/ dog walker CV example

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Use this CV template to highlight your experience and commitment to animal care.

Follow the structure because this makes it easy for employers to find what they want to know straight away.

Each section is included for a reason. This approach ensures you do not miss key details.

Show you are organised, capable, and understand the requirements of the job.

What to include in a pet sitter or dog walker CV?

Include these sections and follow the advice for each one, because they answer the main questions employers have when it comes to hiring for a pet sitter or dog walker job.

Contact information: Add your name, phone number, email, and location so employers can contact you quickly and easily. Also include if you have a DBS check or driving licence.

Personal profile: Write a short summary about your experience, passion for animals, and your top skills. Your profile is the first thing an employer reads.

Key skills: List skills that directly fit the job. Use bullet points. Employers scan for skills like animal care, reliability, and time management.

Work experience: List your most relevant history, starting from the latest. Include informal pet sitting – real pet care experience, even unpaid, shows what you can do. Use action verbs and bullet points so your duties and results are easy to see. Example experiences:

• Previous pet sitting or dog walking work

• Volunteering at animal shelters

• Any role showing responsibility

Certifications and training: Add any training or courses, like pet first aid or animal behaviour. Qualifications help prove your professionalism.

Education: Keep this section short. Only include what supports your application. Education matters less for this job, but a related course helps.

References: List people who can vouch for your work, but get their permission first. References back up your claims and increase employer confidence.

Organise your CV in this way so employers can assess your suitability quickly.

Must-have CV sections

• Personal profile

• Skills section

• Work experience

• Education

Learn more about how to write a good CV.

How to write a pet sitter/ dog walker CV

Be direct and focus on the main requirements of the job when you write your CV.

Tailor your application to the specific role you want – because a generic CV does not show you are interested in this particular position.

Employers or clients check for a strong record of reliability, relevant experience, and training.

Lead with these because first impressions matter. If you meet these expectations early on, you are more likely to get a response.

Do the following for a CV that stands out:

Emphasise trust and responsibility because owners need to know you can be relied on in their home and with their pet.

Highlight specific experience because it proves you can handle the work – mention both paid and informal experience.

List any pet care certifications because extra training shows you care about doing the job safely and well.

Keep your layout clear – use headings and bullet points because this makes reading and scanning your CV easy.

Pet sitting and dog walking skills

Use bullet points for your hard skills in their own section. Highlight soft skills in your personal profile and work experience entries.

This approach helps employers quickly see both your technical and personal strengths.

5 essential skills for pet care professionals

1. Animal first aid & CPR – Knowing how to act quickly in emergencies can save a pet’s life and build trust with clients.

2. Time management – Balancing multiple clients and appointments ensures smooth daily operations.

3. Communication – Providing timely updates and clear instructions reassures pet owners and maintains transparency.

4. Patience and calmness – Essential for handling nervous, shy, or difficult animals with care and professionalism.

5. Trustworthiness – Being dependable gives pet owners peace of mind, leading to stronger client relationships and more referrals.

Personal profile for a pet sitter or dog walker CV

Place your personal profile at the top. Keep it direct and concise – use no more than four sentences.

Employers want the main facts straight away about your experience and why you are the right person for the job.

Personal profile on a CV

Whether you are a student, a graduate, or a seasoned professional, a personal profile is essential for your CV when targeting the UK job market. This statement should grab the attention of employers and set you apart from other applicants.

Learn more about how to successfully pitch yourself in a personal profile.

Include:

• How much experience you have: “Reliable pet sitter with 3+ years caring for dogs and cats.”

• Your best skills: “Skilled in solo and group dog walking, pet first aid, and medication.”

• Your target job: “Looking for work where I provide excellent care and peace of mind to pet owners.”

A straightforward, specific personal profile makes a strong first impression.

How to choose the best CV template

An easy-to-read CV is key to leaving a strong first impression. A professional CV template should have the following:

• Clear headings and a simple format.

• Consistent spacing and alignment.

• White space and bullet points.

With CVMaker, you can take the stress out of creating a professional CV in just a few, simple steps.

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Relevant work experience

List each job starting with the most recent. Include your role, employer (or client), location, and dates. This format makes your experience clear and easy to verify.

For each job, add three to five bullet points.

Focus on describing exactly what you did and what you achieved.

Use action verbs and be specific – clear examples say more than vague claims.

What should each work experience entry include?

• Job title of current or previous role

• Organisation name and location

• Dates of employment (month/year)

• A concise paragraph detailing your duties

• Followed by 2–3 bullet points that highlight your key achievements or measurable impact.

Learn more about the work experience section in a CV.

Good versus bad achievement examples for work history

Examples of duties and achievements

• Provided in-home care including feeding, medication, and supervision.

• Sent regular updates and photos to reassure pet owners.

• Responded calmly to emergencies and used first aid as needed.

• Managed all bookings and appointments for 15+ regular clients.

Education, courses and certifications

The CV education section should be brief. Only include what is directly relevant as employers care more about practical skills and training for this type of role.

How to format educational qualifications

Courses and certifications

Use this space to show you have invested in pet-related training. List only courses on a CV relevant to caring for animals – employers prioritise applicants who take safety and learning seriously.

Examples to include:

• Pet First Aid & CPR Certificate

• Animal care / management courses (City & Guilds or local college)

• Dog behaviour or training courses

• DBS check (if you have one).

Adding these proves you understand the job and its responsibilities.

Additional sections: References

Your references can help demonstrate your reliability and experience in animal care roles. Ensure you include at least two professional references who can vouch for your suitability for the position. These could be previous employers, volunteer coordinators, or clients you’ve worked for in a pet care capacity.

What to include:

• Full name of the referee

• Job title or relationship to you (e.g., Volunteer Supervisor, Pet Owner)

• Contact information (email and/or phone number)

• Brief mention of your work/interaction with them (if relevant)

Always seek permission from your references before sharing their details, and ensure their contact information is up to date. Strong references can make a great impression on potential employers or clients.

Final points for a dog walker or pet sitter CV

• Tailor your CV to every job to prove you have read the description and you match their needs.

• Make your personal profile short, clear, and tailored to the job description.

• List both hard and soft skills because employers want to see you can handle animals and communicate with people.

• Use action verbs and bullet points when describing work to make your experience easy to scan and understand.

• Always include relevant courses and certifications, especially pet first aid to show professionalism and genuine commitment to animal welfare.

Next steps?

Ready to create your pet sitter or dog walker CV? Learn more about how to use our AI CV Maker. Enhance your job application with a compelling cover letter and discover the best tips to achieve your career goals.

FAQs

What if I don’t have much experience working with animals?

Even if you’re lacking direct experience, highlight transferable skills on your CV from other jobs or voluntary roles, such as time management, responsibility, and communication. Additionally, consider taking relevant courses, like pet care or first aid, to boost your CV. Learn more about how to write a CV with little to no experience.

How long should my CV be?

Your CV should ideally be one to two pages. Keep it concise and ensure every section serves a purpose by focusing on key qualifications, skills, and accomplishments that are directly relevant to the role.

How do I make my CV stand out to employers?

Tailor your CV to the job description, use clear formatting to make it easy to read, and include any specialist qualifications or certifications. Don’t forget to incorporate examples of your accomplishments to demonstrate your abilities.

Do I need to write a cover letter along with my CV?

It depends on the job you are applying for. You can use your cover letter to explain why you’re the ideal candidate, providing context for the skills and experiences listed in your CV. Keep it professional and concise.