Finding reliable pet care should feel simple, transparent, and affordable. Pet parents should know what they are paying, feel confident in the person caring for their pet, and have a reason to keep their booking safely documented on the platform.
Hello Marshy offers a fairer Canadian alternative to Wag. Pet parents pay no Hello Marshy platform booking fees, providers keep more of their earnings, and every booking supports local Canadian pet care providers and a growing Canadian startup.
Wag charges pet parents several additional fees
The service price shown on Wag may not be the final amount a pet parent pays. According to Wag Help Center information, pet parents may be charged additional booking or service-related fees depending on the type and timing of care.
- $2.99 for walks and drop-in visits
- $14.99 for sitting and boarding
- $29.99 for sitting or boarding requested within three hours of the start time
- $10 to add a meet and greet to sitting or boarding
- $30 for boarding pick-up and drop-off
Additional charges may also apply depending on the booking, including fees related to multiple pets, holidays, late-night care, special events, and taxes.
These fees can make the total cost noticeably higher, particularly for pet parents who need recurring dog walks, regular drop-in visits, or extended overnight care.
Hello Marshy charges pet parents 0% booking and processing fees
Hello Marshy charges pet parents 0% booking fees and 0% payment-processing fees. Pet parents pay the rates their sitter sets, including any sitter-set charges for additional pets, holidays, or special services.
This means pet parents are not charged an additional Hello Marshy platform fee each time they book a walk, drop-in visit, house sitting, daycare, or boarding stay.
Wag's provider commission can lead to higher prices
Wag has historically taken a 40% commission from pet care providers. If a provider charges $50, they may keep only $30 before accounting for taxes, transportation, supplies, insurance, and other business expenses. To earn approximately $50 after a 40% deduction, they would need to charge around $84.
Providers may feel pressure to raise their rates to make a booking worthwhile. This can affect pet parents, even though the commission is technically charged to the provider.
Hello Marshy wants to help pet sitters keep more of their earnings so they can provide the best possible care. Hello Marshy charges providers only 12% on its Free plan. Providers can also choose a membership that allows them to keep 100% of their booking earnings.
When pet sitters keep more of what they earn, there is less pressure to increase their prices simply to cover a large platform deduction.
High fees can make private bookings more tempting
When pet parents pay added booking fees and providers lose a large portion of their earnings, both sides may be tempted to arrange future services privately through text, cash, e-transfer, Venmo, or another payment method.
However, moving the booking off-platform can come with an important risk. Wag mentions that a service must be booked and initiated through the Wag platform to qualify for consideration under the Wag Guarantee. A private arrangement made outside the platform may leave the pet parent without access to that protection.
Hello Marshy's lower pet sitter fees and zero pet parent booking fees give both sides more reason to keep messages, bookings, and payments securely on the platform.
Keeping everything on Hello Marshy provides:
- A record of messages and care instructions
- Documented booking details
- Secure online payments
- Access to Hello Marshy support
- Greater accountability if a concern arises
Pet parents should not have to choose between avoiding high fees and keeping their booking properly documented.
Support local Canadian pet care sitters
Hello Marshy is a Canadian pet care startup connecting pet parents with local sitters, walkers, and boarders.
When you book through Hello Marshy, more of your payment goes directly to a Canadian pet sitter in your community. You are helping local sitters grow their businesses, earn meaningful income, and build opportunities around the work they love.
You are also supporting a Canadian-owned platform designed around the needs of local pet parents and pet sitters, rather than sending a large portion of each booking to an established American company.
Hello Marshy vs Wag for pet parents
| Fee or feature | Hello Marshy | Wag |
|---|---|---|
| Pet-parent booking and processing fees | 0% | Booking fees apply by service type, as listed below |
| Walk and drop-in booking fee | No Hello Marshy fee | $2.99 |
| Sitting and boarding booking fee | No Hello Marshy fee | $14.99 |
| Last-minute sitting or boarding fee | No separate Hello Marshy fee | $29.99 within three hours |
| Meet-and-greet platform fee | None | $10 when added to sitting or boarding |
| Boarding transportation | Priced by the provider | $30 flat fee for boarding pick-up and drop-off |
| Pet sitter platform fee | 12% or 0% with membership | 40% |
| Off-platform bookings | Not eligible for Hello Marshy support or platform protections | May not qualify for the Wag Guarantee |
| Primary market | Canada, currently serving the GTA | United States and Canada |
| Local impact | Supports Canadian providers and a Canadian startup | Supports a large U.S.-based platform |
Why Hello Marshy is the better choice
Hello Marshy is a Canadian pet care startup built to create a fairer experience for pet parents and pet sitters.
Pet parents pay no Hello Marshy booking or service fees, while sitters keep more of what they earn. Each booking supports local Canadian sitters and helps grow a Canadian-owned platform focused on transparent, community-based pet care.
Wag may charge pet parents additional fees while also taking a large share of sitter earnings. This can increase costs and encourage off-platform bookings that may not qualify for the Wag Guarantee.
Browse local pet sitters across the Greater Toronto Area and receive $10 off your first booking.
Find trusted pet care near you.
Search Sitters
