Top 10 F.A.Q. for Pet Sitters:
What is a pet
sitter?
Pet sitters are individuals that provide pet and home
care services. Many specialize in certain specific types
of services, while others will offer an array of
services useful to different types of pet owners. Here
are examples of some of the services pet sitters can
provide:
-
Visits to the pet
owner's home, usually 20-30 minutes each, to care
for pets and the home during the owner's absence.
-
Provide walks and
exercise at midday or other times as needed for
dogs.
-
Keep an eye on
owner's home (house-sitting), perform security
checks, water plants and lawns and tend to aquariums
as needed.
-
Provide
doggie-day-care services and accompany dogs to play
groups or special parks.
-
Care and boarding
of pets in the pet sitter's home.
-
Provide pet taxi
service to and from veterinary appointments and
grooming visits.
-
Sell and/or
deliver pet food, supplies and goods if offered as
an additional service to pet owners.
Do I have to operate my
own business to be a pet sitter?
Owning and operating your own pet sitting service is the
ideal goal for most people interested in this
profession. You will reap the benefits of being your
own boss, control your own schedule, offer services you
enjoy and monitor the growth of your business.
However, should you decide business ownership is not for
you, working for an established pet sitting service is
an option. You will care for pets under the direction
of a pet sitting service owner.
Pet
Sitting Business A-Z is pleased to offer business start-up
consulting materials through our exclusive
"Starting
A Pet Sitting Business A-Z"
eBook for those who wish to learn to operate their
own business. It's also great for those that wish to
work for pet sitting services, giving you training and
an edge over other applicants!
Do I need an office and
space for animals to be a pet sitter?
Most pet sitters operate their business from a modest
home office (or desk) equipped with basic supplies and a
computer. Because pet sitters typically conduct the
initial interview and perform all services at the
client's home, it is not necessary to have a formal
office.
Unless a pet sitter offers doggie-day-care or boarding
of animals in their own homes, clients and their pets
will never need to come to the pet sitter's home.
Is there a need for pet
sitters?
Yes! Pets are everywhere, in every city, town and rural
area. Pet owners that use a pet sitting service enjoy
many benefits. Beloved pets are cared for in the
comfort and safety of their own home. This is
especially important for older and very young pets, as
well as those that tend to be nervous and do not
tolerate kennels. Some pets require special handling or
medications to be given or have physical limitations due
to arthritis or other ailment. Pet sitters provide the
type of personalized and professional attention required
for these animals. Pet sitters are often called upon to
care for exotic and unusual animals.
In
addition to having pets lovingly cared for, pet owners
enjoy the benefit of having their home visited, plants
watered, security checks performed and newspapers and
mail brought in. Professional pet sitters relieve the
pet owner from relying on neighbors, friends and family
that may not appreciate the burden of responsibility.
Pet sitters often carry liability insurance and are
bonded for extra piece of mind.
How much can I earn as a
pet sitter?
How much you can earn as a pet sitter will depend on
several factors. A pet sitting service business can be
as large or as small as the owner wishes for the service
to be. Here are some factors that affect income:
-
How much time the pet sitter has and how many
clients can be accommodated by that time.
-
Will pet sitters
(or partners in the business/family) be hired to
help with assignments as the business grows, or will
the owner perform all pet sits personally.
-
The
addition of services that provide sources of income
aside from pet sitting:
Pet
taxi, pet food supplier/delivery, errand service,
pet photography, doggie-day-care, dog walking
services, grooming, etc.
-
Promotion and
advertising efforts that provide exposure and
introduce the service on a continuous basis.
-
Quality of
service, professionalism and reliability which
provide excellent references and word-of-mouth
referrals.
There are pet sitters
that provide limited services and earn several hundred
dollars per month. Others have developed businesses
that earn in excess of $5,000 per month!
Why can't I just start this business without training?
Pet
and home sitting is a big responsibility. Not only is
the health and welfare of pets in your custody a factor,
but also the security and safety of a client's home and
property. Learning how to properly handle these
responsibilities, complete with the wisdom of actual pet
sitters that have experienced varied situations, will
only make you a better service provider.
Reducing your potential for making mistakes and being
able to identify health related issues with animals are
areas to consider. Learning how to operate the
business, promote it, and handling the day to day
routines will make you more successful and instill
confidence from your clients.
It
is important to invest some time in education, whether
through books, workshops or working in animal care to
better prepare you for this important work!
How will your featured
Startup Guide help me succeed?
Pet Sitting Business A-Z.com has created an online business
start-up formula!
Tips, tricks of the trade, guidelines, templates,
marketing samples and loads of ideas have been assembled
to give you the essentials to start your new profession
with the best advantage.
Whether you choose to operate your own pet sitting
business or prepare yourself to become an
employee/independent contractor pet sitter, the Pet
Sitting Business A-Z Business Startup Guide has everything you
need. Get started today!
