Pet Sitting in Chicago: what to know
In-home sitting keeps your pet warm and in its routine during winter trips; agree how the heating and snow-clearing for doors and steps will be handled.
Homes, buildings and access
Condo associations often have pet rules on size, number of pets and use of elevators. Two-flats and houses may have back yards — check that gates and fences are secure before a sitter starts.
Weather and seasons in Chicago
In winter, keep walks shorter on the coldest days, wipe salt off paws afterwards and use booties or a coat for small and short-haired dogs.
In summer, head to the lakefront early, avoid hot pavement in the afternoon and never leave a pet in a parked car.
Before you book
Agree on feeding, medication, keys and house rules in the chat before the first visit, and leave your vet's details with the sitter.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Pet Sitting in Chicago — FAQ
Is pet sitting available in Chicago?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Chicago. Because it's a marketplace, the pet sitters you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does pet sitting cost in Chicago?
Pet sitters in Chicago set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
