Weekend Dog Walker
About The Position
Shoreline Happy Paws is seeking two Weekend Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters to join their team. This is a W-2 employee position, not a gig app or 1099 work. The role involves walking dogs in various locations, leading structured walks and small-group hikes, providing in-home pet care for cats (feeding, litter, play, medication), sending photo updates and detailed visit reports, and offering vacation drop-in care. The position requires driving between visits within the service area and offers opportunities for continuing education in pet care. This is a year-round role with an emphasis on consistency, where employees are expected to be the same friendly face for clients each week. Optional paid work is available during slow periods, such as putting up yard signs, flyering, light marketing tasks, or continued training.
Requirements
- Must live within the service area (Essex, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Deep River, Chester, Haddam, Higganum, East Lyme, Niantic, Waterford, Groton, New London)
- Available on weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
- Dog lovers who are 18 or older
- A genuine love for animals; patient and respectful
- Reliable, communicative, and detail-oriented
- Calm and confident around fearful, reactive, or excitable dogs
- Comfortable outdoors in all weather
- Able to handle large or strong dogs (90+ lbs)
- Physically active; able to walk several miles a day
- Reliable vehicle, valid license, clean driving record, and current auto insurance
- Smartphone with data
- Able to pass a background check
Nice To Haves
- Room to grow into leadership and a long-term career in pet care
- Optional evenings, weekdays, and overnights for more hours
- Continuing education on dog behavior
Responsibilities
- Walk dogs in neighborhoods, on beaches, and on local trails
- Lead structured walks and small-group hikes
- Visit cats at home for feeding, litter, play, and medication
- Send photo updates and detailed visit reports
- Provide vacation drop-in care
- Drive between visits across our service area
- Expand your knowledge with continuing education on dog behavior
Benefits
- $16.94/hour during paid training
- $17 to $22/hour standard pay
- Raises through tenure and advancement into leadership
- Tips
- Mileage reimbursement
- PTO
- Holiday pay
- End-of-year bonuses
- Paid Pet CPR certification
- Education stipend (dog training, Pet CPR Instructor)
- Costco membership
- Employee discounts
- Referral program
- W-2 employment
- Workers' comp and liability insurance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
