You can travel the world by looking after other people’s pets through TrustedHousesitters, but it is not quite free: sitters pay an annual membership that starts at about $129, and in return get free places to stay. Nobody is paid by the platform, and the saving comes from skipping hotel bills.
| Plan | Sitter (per year) | Pet owner (per year) | Per-sit booking fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $129 | $149 | $12 |
| Standard | $169 | $229 | $12 |
| Premium | $259 | $299 | None |
These US dollar prices come from a third-party pricing review verified in September 2026. Check the official site before you pay, as prices differ by country and currency.
How house sitting works
The site connects owners who go on holiday and do not want to leave their pets in a kennel or pet hotel with trusted travellers who stay at the home and look after the animals. The owner gets a pet-sitter for free, and the sitter gets a free place to stay. There is no payment between the two.
It works like Airbnb, minus the bill. You can end up in poolside villas, townhouses or city-centre flats, with dogs, cats, horses or reptiles as housemates.
How much does it cost to be a sitter?
You pay for a membership, and the page above says there is no listing fee, no application fee and no cut of any arrangement. Basic and Standard memberships add a $12 fee for each confirmed sit. Premium has no per-sit fee and becomes cheaper than Standard at around six sits a year.
A 14-day cooling-off period applies to membership fees, and after that they are not refundable. The same review mentions a 25 percent first-year discount for new members. Compare it with a hotel bill: a few weeks of hotel nights can add up to more than a year of membership, which is why long-term travellers use it. Our look at the cost of living in a hotel shows the other side of that maths.
The founder
Andy Peck founded the company in 2010. He came up with the idea after caring for pets at a villa in Spain, and when the owner talked about the difficulty of finding good home care for animals, he started the website. Another account credits Rachel Martin as co-founder, and a 2016 interview says the founders were no longer involved in the business by then.
The platform has reportedly grown to more than 140,000 members by 2022 and has members in more than 140 countries, though we could not confirm current numbers.
Is it a good way to travel
It suits people who love animals and have flexible plans. You are responsible for walks, feeding, medication and sometimes a long stretch of company for a dog. If you want to see a city all day, check the pet’s routine before saying yes.
Some people quit their jobs to sit full time. That works only if your costs elsewhere (flights, food) are covered.
Keep reading
- How much it really costs to live in a hotel: the price of the alternative to sitting
FAQ
Can you really travel the world for free by pet sitting?
Accommodation is free, but sitters pay an annual membership starting at about $129 (Basic) and a $12 fee per confirmed sit on Basic and Standard plans.
How does TrustedHousesitters work?
Owners list their home and pets, sitters apply, and the sitter stays free while caring for the animals. No money passes between the owner and the sitter.
How much does a TrustedHousesitters membership cost?
About $129, $169 or $259 a year for sitters (Basic, Standard, Premium), and $149, $229 or $299 for pet owners, per a September 2026 pricing review.
Who founded TrustedHousesitters?
Andy Peck founded it in 2010 after looking after pets at a villa in Spain.
Do house sitters get paid?
No. The platform does not pay sitters; the exchange is free accommodation for pet care.
Is house sitting worth it?
It pays off if you sit often, since a few weeks of hotel nights can cost more than a year of membership. It is less useful for short, occasional trips.
Last updated: October 2026.
