Pet Carer

About Us

Penny & Pets is a family-founded, boutique pet care service based in Harrogate. We’re not a franchise or an agency, we’re a small, considered, deeply personal operation built on genuine relationships with the animals and families we care for. Our clients trust us with everything: their pets, their homes, their routines and their peace of mind. That trust is everything to us.

As demand for our services grows and we expand, we’re looking to bring like-minded individuals into our world — not as an employee, but as a self-employed contractor who shares our values and our standards.

The Opportunity

We are currently hiring in the following areas: Wetherby, Otley, Boroughbridge, Leeds, and York. This is a freelance, self-employed role offering ad hoc pet care contracts in the Harrogate area. You set your pay rate. Work will be offered as and when bookings arise. There is no guaranteed minimum number of bookings, and equally, you are under no obligation to accept any work offered. You retain full discretion over which jobs you take on and which you decline — every time, no questions asked.

This arrangement is self-employed in nature. You will be engaged as an independent contractor, not an employee, and you will be responsible for your own tax, National Insurance contributions and any relevant business registrations (e.g. registering as self-employed with HMRC).

What the Work Involves

Contracts will vary in nature and duration. They may include:

• Cat and small animal welfare visits — feeding, litter, companionship, medication
• One-to-one dog walks — tailored to the dog’s pace, route and routine
• Dog daycare — blocks of hours or full days in the client’s home
• Comfort and welfare check-ins — for clients at work or away for short periods
• Overnight and live-in care — maintaining full routines, home security and daily updates
• Care for small animals — rabbits, guinea pigs and others

You choose the jobs that work for you. You manage your own diary and availability. No two weeks will look the same, and that’s precisely the point.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who will represent Penny & Pets with the same care, professionalism and personal investment that built our reputation in the first place. The right person will:

• Be prepared to pay for and carry out a Basic DBS check
• Be prepared to study a Level 3 Small Animal First Aid course (6 hours)
• Have access to a vehicle and full driving license
• Be capable of doing sleepover / live-in jobs at clients homes
• Be willing to complete a brief checklist at every client visit
• Have a genuine love of animals — not just as a job, but as a way of life
• Be calm, reliable and attentive — noticing the small things, every time
• Understand that every pet is an individual and care accordingly
• Be comfortable working independently and making sound judgements when alone in a client’s home
• Be happy with flexible, varied work rather than a fixed schedule
• Present themselves professionally and communicate warmly and clearly with clients
• Be able to provide a clear DBS check and hold, or be willing to obtain, appropriate animal care insurance as a self-employed professional

Experience in pet care, animal behaviour, veterinary or related fields is a real advantage — but genuine passion and trustworthiness matter most. All carers are required to undertake training, DBS checks, obtain insurance and a level 3 pet first aid qualification.

Why This Works for You

• Full flexibility — you decide when and how much you work
• No obligation — accept the jobs that suit your life, decline the ones that don’t
• Meaningful work — the animals you care for really need you, and the families you support genuinely appreciate it
• Variety — no two clients, pets or days are alike
• Work that fits around your life — ideal for those with other freelance commitments, caring responsibilities or anyone who values autonomy
• Be part of something with a real reputation — our reviews speak for themselves

Important — Self-Employment

This role is offered strictly on a self-employed, contractor basis. There is no employment contract, no PAYE, no sick pay, no holiday pay and no set hours. Penny & Pets will offer work as it becomes available; you are free to accept or refuse at any time. You will use your own professional judgement in carrying out the role. However, the team working very closely in order to support each other and cover in the event of emergencies and to help each other learn.

To Apply

Tell us a little about yourself, your experience with animals, and why this kind of work suits you right now. We’d love to hear your story.

Email: hello@pennyandpets

Website: pennyandpets.com

Pay: From £13.00 per hour

Work Location: In person