The new year is a natural time to reset goals and intentions. But there’s one decision that will make every goal easier to reach in 2026 and beyond: learning to set healthy boundaries.

If you’re a pet sitter, you likely have a big heart for animals — which is exactly what makes boundaries so essential. Without them, that generosity can quickly turn into exhaustion, resentment, and burnout.

Read on to learn three boundaries you’ll want to set immediately in your business. 

The Importance of Boundaries

But Sheryl, I need my clients. If I set boundaries with the pet parents I work for, they’ll think I’m selfish and don’t care about their fur babies.

This is probably the biggest myth I hear about boundaries… “I’m being selfish if I set them.”

This couldn’t be further from the truth! Setting healthy boundaries is not just for you; it’s for the pet parents and the fur kids you serve. Boundaries:

• Ensure that you only take on jobs you can handle (whether it be the pets themselves, the level of care, or the time commitment). If you overcommit, the animals (and your business) will suffer.

• Communicate clearly what pet parents can expect from you. This includes tasks completed, check-ins, and how many adorable photos of their pets they’ll get each day.

• Prevent burnout so you can stay in business long-term. 

Boundaries aren’t selfish. They are safe, responsible, and professional. 

Set Time Boundaries

• January is the perfect time to block out:

• Important events for you and your family

• Travel dates, holidays 

• Rest periods

• Days you don’t want to work. 

But wait… there’s more. You actually have to stick to it. 

If a client calls and says they need you to sit for Sir Fluffernutter on one of those dates, you have to say No. 

But what if they can’t find someone else, and they can’t go on their trip? Or what if they CAN find someone else, and I lose a client?

More importantly, what if you say yes and end up missing out on something important to you or your family, or do a half-ass job for Sir Fluffernutter because you overcommitted? 

You can head off both potential problems by having a few other pet sitters in your area that you “partner” with for referrals. Think collaboration, not competition.

You’ll also want to let your clients know when you are available. This includes:

• Your response time for messages

• A cut-off time for same-day requests

• When they can connect with you while you are sitting. (Ex: It’s hard leaving your fur babies, but pet parents don’t need reassurance from you at 3 am.)

Set Money Boundaries

Let’s be honest, considering the time, energy, and love you give to each fur kid in your care, you probably don’t charge enough. 

The world resets in January, which means it’s the perfect time to re-evaluate your prices and increase them if warranted. Do your research before coming up with a random number. Look at other pet sitters in your area and determine the market value for the services you provide. 

If you’ve got loyal clients who you’ve loved serving for years, and they can’t handle the price increase, it’s completely acceptable to keep their pricing the same. But you’ll never know if you don’t ask. If you decide to lock in their price, make sure they understand it’s just for them, and they should not share it with anyone when referring you.

Set Scope Boundaries

Early on in my pet-sitting days (and before I had boundaries), a client called while I was sitting and told me to ship her clothes to her because she had forgotten to pack them. Not only did she not pay me for the extra time it took to go to the post office, but she never paid me for the shipping! I basically watched her cat for free for a week. 

While pet-sitting, you may be asked to:

• Watch an extra pet who was not disclosed

• Water plants

• Pick up mail

• Get groceries

• Manage repairmen

• Etc. 

All of these are fine (if you are comfortable with them); however, be very clear about what your service (and price) includes, and what will cost extra. 

Set Safety Boundaries

It is ALWAYS okay to say No when you feel unsafe. If the animal is aggressive, the neighborhood is unsafe, or you don’t have sufficient instructions, it’s time to prioritize your safety and well-being. 

Conclusion

You can’t beat cuddling animals for a living. However, to create a sustainable business and career, boundaries are essential. 

If you make one resolution this year, let it be this: protect your time, energy, and well-being with healthy boundaries. When you do, everything else gets easier.

About the Author

Sheryl Green is a boundary expert and author of You Had Me at No: How Setting Healthy Boundaries Helps Banish Burnout, Repair Relationships, and Save Your Sanity. When she’s not helping people protect their time and energy, she’s caring for her three rescue dogs and advocating for animal welfare.