Barkly Pets is worth signing up for if you live in one of its supported cities. The platform is smaller than Rover and Wag, but that's actually the appeal. Walkers keep 75% of each booking, and because there are fewer walkers competing for clients, your profile gets bookings faster than on saturated Rover markets. If Barkly serves your area, sign up alongside Rover. If it doesn't, look at direct-hire jobs since Barkly only operates in select metros.
What Barkly Pets is
Barkly Pets is a dog walking and pet sitting platform that operates in select U.S. metros. It's smaller than Rover and Wag, with a more curated walker network and a focus on professional, GPS-tracked walks with photo updates.
The platform was founded in DC and has expanded slowly to cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and a handful of others. Coverage is the platform's biggest limitation. If you don't live in a Barkly metro, you can't work for them.
How Barkly pays
Walkers keep 75% of each booking. Barkly takes 25%. Average pay per 30-minute walk is $13 to $25 depending on the market. Standard direct deposit twice a week.
| Platform | Walker keeps | $20 walk pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rover | 80% | $16 |
| Barkly | 75% | $15 |
| Wag (entry) | 60% | $12 |
Pay-wise, Barkly sits between Rover and Wag. It's not the highest pay in the industry, but the lower competition often means more bookings to make up the difference.
Where Barkly operates
As of April 2026, Barkly Pets serves these metros:
- Washington DC
- Seattle
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Plus a handful of other smaller markets that change periodically
Check barklypets.com for the current list. If your city isn't there, you'll need to look at other platforms or direct-hire jobs.
The pros and cons
What Barkly does well
- Less competition. Smaller walker pool means easier to land bookings vs Rover-saturated markets.
- Higher quality clients. Barkly tends to attract clients willing to pay premium rates for professional service.
- GPS tracking and photo reports built in. Reduces disputes, builds client trust.
- Free signup. No application fee like Wag.
- Decent customer support. Smaller team, more responsive than Rover or Wag.
What Barkly doesn't do well
- Geographic limitation. Most cities aren't supported.
- Lower booking volume than Rover. Even with less competition, total volume is lower because the platform is smaller.
- Uncertainty around platform growth. Smaller platforms can pivot or shut down. Don't bet your full income on Barkly.
Who should sign up?
Barkly makes sense if:
- You live in a Barkly-supported metro
- You're already on Rover and want a lower-competition platform to supplement
- You want GPS-tracked, professional-feeling walks
Barkly doesn't make sense if:
- You're not in one of its supported cities (you literally can't apply)
- You need it to be your sole income source
- You want maximum booking volume (Rover wins on raw volume)
Not in a Barkly city? Direct-hire jobs work everywhere.
Local dog walker positions hire in every U.S. zip code, pay $16 to $36/hr, and have no platform cut. Often a better fit than waiting for Barkly to expand to your area.
Get Matched Now Near MeHow to get hired on Barkly
- Check coverage. Confirm your city is supported on barklypets.com.
- Apply online. Submit your profile, experience, and service area.
- Pass the background check. Standard pet care background check, usually free for the applicant.
- Complete a phone or video interview. Barkly is more selective than Rover or Wag.
- Get approved and start building your profile. Booking ramp is usually faster than Rover but slower than Wag.
What Barkly Pets actually is in 2026
Barkly Pets is a smaller, premium-positioned pet care platform operating in select metros. Specific differences from Rover and Wag.
Quality positioning: Barkly markets itself as the premium choice. More vetting of walkers than Rover. Higher rates supported by client expectations.
Service area: select major metros. Not available in most US markets. Always check coverage before investing time.
Walker rates: typically $25-$50 per walk. Higher than Rover/Wag in same markets. Walker keeps higher percentage.
Booking volume: lower than Rover and Wag. Barkly walkers report fewer bookings but higher per-booking pay.
Walker requirements: more stringent than Rover/Wag. Pet care experience required. Sometimes interview process.
Insurance and support: comparable to larger platforms. Some walker reports indicate slightly better dispute resolution.
Whether Barkly Pets is worth applying to
Specific situations where Barkly makes sense for walkers.
Worth applying: experienced walkers with strong existing portfolios in markets where Barkly operates. Premium positioning fits experienced walkers better than new ones.
Worth applying: walkers wanting to focus on quality over volume. Fewer bookings but higher pay matches some walkers' preferences.
Worth applying: walkers in supplementing existing platform work. Adding Barkly to existing Rover/Wag setup adds high-margin bookings.
Probably not worth: brand new walkers seeking volume. Onboarding requirements may exceed your current qualifications.
Probably not worth: walkers in markets where Barkly doesn't operate. Time spent on application without market presence is wasted.
Probably not worth: walkers who prefer high volume of standard-priced bookings to fewer premium ones.
The Barkly Pets walker experience
What working as a Barkly walker is actually like based on walker reports.
Onboarding: more involved than Rover/Wag. Interview process, sometimes in-person evaluation. Takes 2-4 weeks typically.
Booking pattern: fewer offers but higher quality. Walkers report 3-8 bookings per week typical for active walkers.
Client communication: through platform, similar to other platforms.
Walk completion: standard documentation required. Photos, GPS tracking, completion confirmation.
Payment: similar to other platforms. Weekly direct deposits typical.
Tax reporting: 1099 contractor status. Standard pet care platform tax treatment.
Walker community: smaller than Rover/Wag communities. Less Reddit and Facebook discussion. Less peer learning available.
Long-term viability: smaller platform with less venture funding. Some walkers worry about platform stability over years. Worth considering.
Comparing Barkly Pets to other premium pet care options
Barkly competes with other premium-positioned pet care services. Comparison helps walkers decide.
vs Rover at premium rates: Barkly's positioning is more consistently premium. Rover allows premium pricing but requires building reputation.
vs local boutique pet care companies: similar quality positioning. Barkly has tech advantage. Boutique companies have local relationships.
vs independent walker with premium clients: very similar economics. Barkly handles client acquisition. Independent walker keeps 100%.
vs concierge pet care services: similar end client. Concierge services often pay walkers similarly. Different distribution model.
For experienced walkers comparing options: Barkly is one of several legitimate premium platforms. Worth applying if you're in a covered market and have qualifications.
Specific markets where Barkly Pets operates
Barkly's coverage as of early 2026 includes specific major metros.
New York City and surrounding boroughs.
Washington DC metro.
San Francisco Bay Area.
Boston metro.
Los Angeles metro (limited).
Chicago metro (limited).
Coverage outside these markets is minimal. Walkers in other cities should focus on Rover/Wag or local independent business rather than Barkly.
Walker pay reports from Barkly Pets
Specific income reports from active Barkly walkers.
NYC walker, established: $35-$55 per walk gross. 8-12 walks per week. Annual income $15,000-$30,000 from Barkly alone.
DC walker, year 2: $30-$45 per walk. 5-9 walks per week. Annual income $10,000-$22,000.
Bay Area walker, established: $40-$60 per walk. 6-10 walks per week. Annual income $13,000-$30,000.
Boston walker, year 1: $25-$40 per walk during onboarding period. Volume building. Annual projected $8,000-$15,000.
The pattern: per-walk pay is significantly higher than Rover/Wag in same markets. Booking volume is lower. Total earnings depend on walker's ability to maintain Barkly bookings alongside other work.
Most Barkly walkers report adding it to existing pet care work rather than relying on it exclusively. Hybrid approach captures both Barkly's premium rates and other platforms' booking volume.
The application and onboarding for Barkly Pets
Specific steps to apply to Barkly.
Step one: visit barklypets.com or call their walker line.
Step two: complete initial application form. Demographics, pet care experience.
Step three: phone interview. Discusses experience and motivation.
Step four: background check. Standard pet care background check.
Step five: in-person interview or video interview. Behavioral assessment.
Step six: optional working interview. Some markets include practical assessment.
Step seven: training and onboarding. More extensive than Rover/Wag.
Total timeline: 3-6 weeks from application to first booking. Longer than larger platforms but produces vetted walker community.
Acceptance rate: lower than Rover/Wag. Barkly screens for premium service candidates. Walkers without strong pet care backgrounds often don't pass.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Barkly Pets is a legitimate dog walking platform that's been operating for several years. It's smaller and less well-known than Rover and Wag, but the platform itself is real and walkers do get paid.
Walkers keep 75% of each booking. Average per-walk pay is $13 to $25 depending on market. Slightly less than Rover (80%), more than Wag entry tier (60%).
Currently DC, Seattle, San Francisco, and a few other metros. Check the Barkly Pets website for the current list before applying.
Different, not necessarily better. Rover pays slightly more per walk and has way more clients. Barkly has lower competition in the cities it covers. Most walkers in Barkly metros run both.
My final take
If Barkly serves your city, sign up. It's a useful supplement to Rover, especially in markets where Rover competition is fierce. The 75% pay split is solid, the platform is professional, and bookings come faster than on saturated apps.
If Barkly doesn't serve your city, don't wait for it. The platform expands slowly. Look at direct-hire dog walker jobs in your area instead. They hire in every zip code, pay better take-home, and start faster than any app I know of.