Seattle
Pet sitters Charly and Melody have completed many sits in Seattle. Discover the hidden gems that makes them come back again and again: the seal at the Ballard Locks, the Little Free Libraries, and that one cafe with the perfect morning coffee.
3,725 Seattle sits
confirmed in 2025
$188 per night saved*
on hotel costs
Up to 80% less emissions**
versus hotel stays
98% of sits
result in a 5-star review
Charly's Ballard itinerary
Coffee
Victrola Coffee Roasters is Charly's go-to in Ballard for a good morning coffee.
Lunch
Market Pho is a great local Vietnamese spot in the neighborhood.
Sunday market
Try Ballard Farmers Market. Everyone brings out their dogs, and you can eat local foods and pick up organic groceries.
Shopping
Definitely stop by Push/Pull. It’s a distinctive independent art supply store worth checking out in Ballard.
Library
Ballard has its own branch of the Seattle Public Library. It’s great for a quiet morning stop when you want somewhere to sit that's not a cafe.
Walk
Take your dog to the Ballard Locks and keep an eye out for the resident seal. Charly spotted them several times.
Getting around
The whole neighborhood is walkable, which matters when you don’t have a car. Everything Charly needed, from the library to the Ballard Locks, was within a few blocks.
Charly - Ballard explorer
Charly lives in Portland and has completed 15 sits in Seattle. She sat in Ballard over Thanksgiving 2025. "I loved walking to the Ballard Locks with the poodle I was pet sitting and seeing the local seal pop its head up from the water. I saw it multiple times." Charly has saved an estimated $1,880 on hotel costs during her ten-night stay.*
Melody’s Magnolia itinerary
Coffee
Go to The Outer Rim, it’s a funky sci-fi cafe in the neighborhood.
Lunch
The Fisherman's Green Market & Deli is great for sandwiches, and the kind of place that feels like a classic neighborhood lunch spot.
Walk
The forested trails at Discovery Park are amazing for a hike. Melody says it’s large and central, and you could spend a whole day there.
Farmers market
Try Magnolia Farmers Markets on Saturdays. It’s open June to October, and a good spot for seasonal produce and a chance to meet locals.
Beach
For a beach day, head to the beachfront stretch at Discovery Park.
Bookswap
Don’t miss the Little Free Libraries scattered across Magnolia. Most have books, but some have games, puzzles, and even sticks for dogs.
Viewpoint
Don’t miss the view from Discovery Park over Puget Sound. It’s magnificent.
Melody - Magnolia explorer
Melody lives on Bainbridge Island and has completed 19 sits in Seattle. She has done many pet sits in Magnolia, including her latest trip in spring 2026. "There are Little Free Libraries everywhere you go. Most have books, but some have games, puzzles, food for those in need, and even a stick library for dogs. You can take or leave something, or both." During this eight-day trip, Melody has saved an estimated $1,504 on hotel costs.*
More Seattle gems
Find even more things to do in Seattle with our own handy Seattle travel guide.
Explore Seattle with a pet by your side
From Ballard to Magnolia, find your own Seattle pet sit and discover new hidden corners with a pet by your side.
Click a city to discover hidden corners
Frequently asked questions
*How did you calculate the statistic on amount of money saved?
Estimated savings are calculated by multiplying the duration of each sitter's stay by the average nightly hotel rate for that city. There is no nightly accommodation rate for TrustedHousesitters members. These figures are illustrative and based on city-level averages; actual hotel costs vary by location, season and room type. Seattle federal lodging per diem: $188/night, FY2026 (standard rate, King County). Source: U.S. General Services Administration, FY2026 Per Diem Rates. https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates
**How did you calculate the statistic on accommodation-related emissions?
In Seattle, staying in a lived-in home instead of a hotel can cut accommodation-related emissions by up to 80% per night. Based on the following assumptions: 1. All nights are spent in Seattle 2. All nights spent pet sitting would have otherwise been spent in a large hotel. Seattle hotel energy usage and GHG information gathered from carbon intelligence software ClimateIQ. Seattle home energy usage and GHG information gathered from U.S Government owned National Library of Medicine. Based on 2024 data, GHG Protocol-aligned and specific to Seattle.
How does TrustedHousesitters work?
Our platform connects pet parents with sitters who like to spend time with wonderful pets and experience new places. There’s an annual subscription for both pet parents and sitters to join our community. This gives everyone unlimited access to our site. So pet parents can post multiple dates to find a sitter throughout the year. And sitters can apply to as many sits as they want and connect with many different pet parents.
Do I get paid to house sit while I travel?
No, our members are driven by a genuine love of pets, not money. They exchange loving pet care for a place to stay on their travels, gaining a wealth of experiences and memories to last a lifetime.
Both pet parents and sitters pay for an annual membership to get access to our platform and connect with each other, but no money changes hands between members.
Essentially, all that’s exchanged between pet parents and sitters is trust. Sitters get to stay in cool locations near and far, caring for pets while pet parents travel.
So we know everyone is here for the same reason: their never-ending love for pets and travel.
How do I become a house sitter?
The first thing to do is to register for free. Once you’ve registered, you can explore our platform and decide which membership plan is right for you. We offer three annual memberships – Basic, Standard and Premium.
After you’ve chosen and paid for your membership, you can create your profile. This is your chance to introduce yourself, describe your experience with pets and add external references. Your membership also covers the cost of getting verified – we recommend doing this as soon as possible to build trust with pet parents.
When you’re all set up, you can search for listings that match the dates you want to sit. You can also set up a saved search and we’ll notify you when house sitting opportunities become available for your dates.
When you find the ideal sit, you can apply by writing a personalized message to the pet parent, explaining why you’re the perfect sitter.
Find out more with 10 tips on how to become a house sitter.
What are my tasks while house sitting?
Your number one priority when house sitting will be taking care of the pets. Pet parents will give you clear instructions about daily walks, feeding times, playtime and cuddles. You’ll also send daily updates to them, so they know their pets are happy and enjoying their time with you.
As a house sitter, you need to keep the home you stay in clean and tidy too. Pet parents may also ask you to water plants, take out the rubbish and recycling, and collect the post for example.
We ask all pet parents to fill in a Welcome Guide with important details and instructions. We’ll share this document with you as soon as the sit is confirmed.
What if pets have very specific needs?
When you browse listings, make sure you read the details in the sitter’s responsibilities section. Pet parents usually list all their pets’ needs and requirements there – whether it’s giving them a pill with their food or an insulin shot.
This should help you decide whether you have the experience to meet specific pet needs.
We also recommend meeting pet parents face to face or via video to discuss responsibilities and expectations before you confirm a sit.