How to choose a dog walker or pet sitter in Las Vegas

Hiring a dog walker or pet sitter means giving a near-stranger your keys and your dog. Las Vegas adds its own complications: guard gates, high-rise front desks, schedules that run around the clock, and a summer that can hurt a dog within minutes. Work through this checklist before you book anyone.

1. Licensing: who issues what

Business licensing in Southern Nevada happens at two levels, and it helps to know both.

• The state. Nevada generally requires a state business license before a business starts operating (NRS 76.100). Some very small home-based businesses are exempt because of how little they earn (NRS 76.020), but they still have to file a certificate of exemption every year (NRS 76.105).
• The city or county. The local license comes from wherever the business is located. That could be the City of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas or Boulder City, or Clark County for unincorporated communities like Paradise, Spring Valley and Enterprise. Each sets its own rules.

Unincorporated Clark County also has an animal-handling requirement. Under County Code 10.30.190, owners of pet-service businesses, a group the county says includes groomers, boarders, trainers and professional pet sitters, must complete a free Animal Handler Training Course before they get or renew a license. Staff who handle animals have six months to complete it, and it has to be renewed every two years. Owners who already hold a license must complete it by their next renewal or February 4, 2027, whichever comes first. The cities have their own requirements.

You don't need to memorize any of this. Just ask: “Who issues your business license, and what's the number?” A professional will answer straight away.

2. Insurance and bonding

Ask for proof of liability insurance that covers pet care, and read what it actually covers. A bond is a separate product that's generally aimed at theft. Ask whether the policy would pay if your dog were injured, if your home were damaged, or if your keys or gate remote went missing.

3. Access: gates, fobs and front desks

Many valley neighborhoods, from Summerlin to Southern Highlands to the Henderson foothills, sit behind guard gates. Strip-area and downtown towers often have a front desk and elevator fobs. Before the first visit, work out exactly how your walker gets in: a guest list entry, a gate code, a building authorization form, a lockbox. Then plan what happens if any of them fails. Ask how keys and codes are labeled and stored. The safe answer is never with your address attached.

4. A schedule that fits a 24-hour town

If you work casino, hospital or airport shifts, your dog's day doesn't run nine to five. Ask whether the provider covers early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays, how much notice they need, and whether off-hours visits cost extra. Find out who covers when your regular walker is sick. Owners on rotating shifts should ask whether they can book week by week.

5. A real heat policy

Any walker working in this valley should have a summer plan without being asked: walks around sunrise and after dark, shaded routes, water on every walk, and shorter outings or indoor play on extreme heat days. If they can't explain how they judge whether the pavement is too hot, keep looking. Our heat safety guide explains what to look for.

6. Meet first

A good provider will want to meet you and your dog before the first booking, and many don't charge for it. Watch how they greet your dog, go through the leash, food and medication routine, and do a short practice walk together. Your dog's reaction counts for a lot.

7. An emergency plan in writing

• Agree which vet they should call and which 24-hour emergency clinic they should use if your vet is closed.
• Put in writing how much treatment they can authorize if they can't reach you.
• Make sure they have your backup contact and know where the carrier and leash are kept.

8. Terms, updates and red flags

Ask for written terms covering price, visit length, extra-dog and holiday fees, cancellations and how you'll get updates (photos, texts or GPS walk maps). See our Las Vegas price guide for what local businesses charge. Walk away if someone skips the meet-and-greet, wants a lot of money upfront, dodges questions about licensing or insurance, or lets dogs off-leash in public places.

From our directory

As of Oct 30, 2026, we list 29 dog walkers and 10 pet sitters. Of the walkers, 18 include a licensing or insurance note, 6 offer online booking and 3 show a public rating. Of the sitters, 6 include a licensing or insurance note, 4 offer online booking and 1 show a rating. A licensing or insurance note repeats what the business itself published, so confirm it with them. We review every listing before it goes live, but we don't background-check providers.

Counts include businesses based in each area and those that list it in their service area, as of Oct 30, 2026. See all areas.

If you want help with leash manners before you hire a walker, browse dog trainers.

Last updated Oct 29, 2026. This guide is general information, not professional, legal or veterinary advice. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.