Pet Sitter Business

More and more pet owners are making use of a pet sitter to care for their animals when they are at work or away from home on vacation or business. Little initial investment is required and this is a relatively simple business to run. Now is a good time to become part of this thriving home business industry.

Use these straightforward steps to start a pet sitting business.

Planning your pet sitter business

• What sort of animals do you want to take are of? You need to decide the type of pets you will be happy and comfortable caring for. Some people limit themselves to cats and small dogs, others are happy to take care of any sort of pet. Decide what animals you are willing to take care of.
• What pet care services will you include? Consider the amount of time you can commit to your business and decide on what sort of services you can realistically provide as a pet sitter. Common pet care services include grooming, walking, feeding, administering medicine and cleaning up messes, pet taxi services to vets and groomers, purchasing pet supplies and overnight visits. A pet sitter business can offer many other services to the traveler besides pet care including picking up the mail and newspaper, watering the plants, switching lights on and off and just keeping an eye on the property when the pet owner is away.
• How long will your visits be? Pet sitting visits typcially last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. The length of your visits depends on the type of pet care you are providing and where the pet owner lives. The length of each visit will determine how many visits you can complete in a day.
• What hours will you be available for pet sitting? Work out the hours you can work each day. Are you available early mornings and evenings? Consider that pet sitters typically work over holiday periods and public holidays when pet owners are away from home.
• Decide what areas you will service. The smaller the area you work in the less your transport expenses, the more visits you can complete and the greater your profits. Decide how far you are prepared to travel to clients. Some pet sitters charge an additional fee for jobs outside their area.
• Decide on your pet sitting fees. You need to establish competitive pet sitter rates but at the same time make sure your business is sufficiently profitable. Find out more about Pet Sitting Fees.

What you need for your pet sitter business

• Get references If you are a new pet sitter you will need references. Have you ever done pet sitting for friends or relatives? Ask them for references. Volunteer to sit a friend's pets for free in exchange for a reference. Volunteer at local animal shelters or dog rescue centers to get some pet care experience.
• Purchase insurance Purchasing liability insurance is essential. it will be difficult to find clients without pet sitters insurance. Basically this insurance covers you for bodily injury to the pet or third party and for property damage. It costs anywhere between $150 and $300 depending on your location. Find out more about Pet Sitting Insurance.
• Develop a standardized contract Your pet sitting contract is a written service agreement that outlines the services you will provide to the client. You can adapt the contract to detail your services for each particular client. A comprehensive pet sitting contract can be downloaded at Pet Sitter Contract.
• Draw up a Pet Information Form In addition to pet information such as feeding requirements and special behavioral issues you need some contact information. This includes the contact numbers of the pet owners, veterinarian details, and who to contact if there is a home maintenance emergency.
• Finding pet sitter jobs This is going to be your biggest challenge. It is best to start small and gain the necessary experience. Use this guide to Finding Pet Sitting Jobs to help you get started with your first clients.

Learning more about a pet sitter business

• Learn about the pets Read up about the different breeds of cats and dogs you will be caring for. Get as much information as possible on the type of pets you will be looking after. Your local library and the internet are good reference sources. Speak to you local vet and ask if you can learn some basic pet first aid.
• Join Pet Sitter Organizations Join reputable pet sitting organizations such as Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) as this provides credibility to your pet sitter business and inspires confidence in pet owners. They are also a good resource for exchanging ideas, providing up to date information and finding answers to problems and questions you may have.

About a Pet Sitting Business

Tips for a Successful Pet Sitter Business

Pet Sitting Fees

Turn your passion for pets into a thriving home business

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