How to Start a Pet Sitting Business
Did you know that you can make up to $25 in only 30 minutes just by pet sitting? In this article, you will find out how to make money consistently by starting your own pet sitting business. You don’t need too many resources to launch a pet sitting business, which is why it is one of the most convenient careers where you earn good money.
Why pet sitting is a good business
The pet-sitting market is an excellent business to go into, and there are shreds of evidence to prove it. Pets can be adorable, and they warm up to humans in a childlike manner, which makes it a fulfilling venture. Some pet sitters get so invested in the vocation that they pay more attention to pets than themselves. Among the many advantages of starting a pet sitting business are;
You can use a home office
Most people, even extroverts, would agree that any business one can start or run from home is probably the best for any fresh entrepreneur. For various reasons, being able to launch your pet sitting business from home is the way to go. It gives you extra comfort and saves you the cost of paying rent on proper office space. In most cases, you will be conducting your pet sitting business at your client’s residence, and as long as your clients can reach you, you won’t need to leave your house. Just create an office space at home where you can receive guests or clients and discuss them. And if you have enough room at your place where pets can run around and play, clients could drop pets off for you to look after. All these can be done at your residence.
No need for a degree
Another pleasant reason why anyone would love to go into this business is that it is not compulsory to have an educational background in any animal science-related field. There is no restriction based on what you studied or didn’t study in school. You might need to have at least one certification in animal care or animal science, but that is different from spending years in college. It would be an advantage to have a degree in zoology, for example, but as long as you know your way around pets, you could own a company. In addition, there’s no age limit, so even high school kids can start sitting pets for cash.
The disadvantage of pet sitting
Animals can be menacing
One of the reasons why some people stay as far away from animals as possible is because they are scared that they might be dangerous. While this notion is not entirely accurate, there is a bit of truth in it. There are times, even though they’re rare with trained animals when pets become the worst versions of themselves. It is common knowledge that some pets later become a threat to their owners, albeit rare. It’s not just you who could be in danger on such rare occasions; it’s your client’s kids, neighbors, and even passersby. There have been cases where animals loosen up their chains and cause bodily harm to people, and this is one of the challenges of the business.
What do pet sitters do?
Pet sitting business is a serious business; some people regard their pets as their babies. It will amaze you how much some pet owners spend on their favorite animals. For this reason, you should be aware of what your responsibilities are before you accept a client’s call. These duties are not for you alone; every member of your small company must be aware of these and more.
Feed the pets
Part of your primary assignment will be to feed the pets. Pet sitting is like babysitting in so many ways, and it can last hours based on the agreement you’ve had with your client. And if you will be pet sitting for an extended period, you must undoubtedly feed the poor pets. However, there are a few things to take note of before you open any can of food. The best way to feed pets is to do so, according to the directives of the pet owner. For many reasons, pets are fed differently. Some pets have a feeding timetable, while others have a specific portion of food that’s suitable for them- also follow other little details as directed by the owner of the pets.
Clean up after pets
This part is one of the least favorite things about running a pet sitting business. A pet sitter is responsible for cleaning whatever mess the pets make; after all, you can’t count on animals to clean up, or can you? Animals make a lot of mess, and at times, the dumps they make will leave you red-faced. Whether you’re sitting the pets at their owner’s house or outdoors for a walk, be ready to clean up messes. Some pets are not potty-trained, and this will see them leave piles of dung everywhere. If you’re walking pets, especially dogs, you have to carry a plastic bag around with you at all times, just in case. And when you’re feeding pets, remember they can be messy eaters, so be ready to do a little bit of cleaning when they’re done.
Walk pets
Pet walking- especially dog walking- is a different ballgame entirely, but there will come a time when you may need to take the pets out. However, not every pet can be taken outside, as it all depends on how much leeway you have with the animals. Also, some pet owners strongly forbid that someone else takes their pets outside, so be sure before stepping out with the animals. In a case where you are given a license to walk pets, or you are told that your shift falls during the pet walking hours, do it with care. You must make sure the pets do not get lost and that they get back to their owners in one piece.
Administer medicine to pets
Pets are not only fed and brought up differently, but they are also cared for differently. Some pet owners pay special attention to their pets, which is why they go extra lengths to keep them healthy. In other cases, some pets have medical issues that need taking care of, and they receive medical treatment for this. Sick pets will take medicine at some point, while others will take their vitamins at the stipulated time of the day. There is no way you will not come across pets that would need to take drugs during your shift. It will be your duty to give them these drugs according to the correct dosage. Ask the pet owner for the right dosage before agreeing to take the job, and while you are at it, keep the drugs away from the reach of the animals.
Make sure the pets don’t pose a threat to people… or themselves
There comes a time when an animal does the worst things you could think of, and that’s hurting other people. While you are on your pet sitting duty, you must make sure to keep the animals from causing harm to kids and even yourself. Sometimes, animals go rogue and turn on even their owners, but while you are in charge, it’s your job to contain the situation. If you feel that the pets should be on a leash (and the owner had provided one), or wear a mouth guard, use them. And if things turn uglier than expected, you could lock them up in a room if you must until their owner gets back. Also, while giving medicine to pets, make sure you keep them out of their reach when you’re done. Failure to do so might see them eat the drugs, and that could cause severe damage to the pets.
Who can start a pet sitting business?
This business isn’t one of those “anyone can do it” types. However, you could be the perfect fit for the job. While we’re not trying to discourage anyone from following what they’re passionate about, not everyone should go into this sort of business for obvious reasons. One of the most important reasons why it’s not for everyone is the health implications it could have. Some people are allergic to animals, and no matter how much you try to paint this business in bright colors, it’s just plain bad for their health. Allergies can kill; why risk your life?
Another glaring reason why it is not for everyone is that some people just can’t stand animals. Some will not touch a cute poodle with a ten-foot pole out of fear. Others just don’t like animals at all. There is no need to convince these sets of people to start a company in the animal care industry; it’d be a colossal waste of time. Having understood why this vocation is not for just anyone, it is high time you found out who’d find it easier to start a pet sitting firm.
Anyone with an academic background in any animal science-related field
Although having a degree does not guarantee anyone success in this business, it will be an extra advantage of launching your pet sitting firm, not having a background in any of the animal science-related fields does not mean that you won’t be allowed to run a pet sitting company. However, you won’t expect an animal scientist, zoologist, or veterinarian to have the same level of knowledge about animals as the average person. People with these sorts of qualifications are in a better position to sit and care for pets. It is just like having a pediatrician look after one’s child or babysit; any parent would be more comfortable leaving their kids in such hands. Apart from the advanced knowledge in the animal-science department, owners of pets would jump at the chance of hiring a more than qualified pet sitter.
Someone attentive
Every animal, just like humans, is different whether they are of the same breed or not. Some pets like to have their food prepared in a certain way, which could be further from most pets you manage. It’s just like how humans were brought up differently; the same can be said of pets. The owner of the pet you are to care for will give you vital information on how best to care for the pet. The data might include feeding, bathing, wearing cologne, how to handle them, and how to give out medicine to them. Aside from the upbringing (funny as it may sound), there is the total physical condition of pets that you must mind. For these reasons, and more, this business is for someone attentive. And if you’d be hiring pet sitters to help you with the pets, they must be equally cautious.
Someone who can take responsibility for pets’ shenanigans
Have you ever watched funny animal videos? If you have, you’ll see that animals can make a mess that looks like a human’s. The worst part is that they won’t take responsibility for it. Anyone who will be successful in this business will have to take responsibility for all the wrongs that pets do. Even when it’s evident that the pet you’re handling did make the mess, all eyes and the onus will be on you to fix it. Not everyone likes to be held responsible for what they didn’t do wrong; that’s why it takes someone who wouldn’t mind it to run a successful pet sitting business.
A pet lover
The most important thing about starting a business or choosing a career is that you must love what you do. When all things cease to make sense, and there is hardly anything to inspire one to keep working, one’s love for what he or she does would be what keeps them going. This fact is also applicable to starting a pet sitting business. There will be good and bad times throughout spending time with pets that will prove challenging and discouraging. Sometimes, the pets could be the problem, but your love for them will make you see past all their monkey business. Apart from the wrong sides to the industry, a pet lover will look for more ways to provide better care for the pets in their care. Whenever there is a new product on sale that’s healthy for pets, they’d be the first ones to know and recommend them to pet owners. Due to the interest, a pet lover has in animals, they would be the first to know if something’s wrong with the pets. A typical pet lover would find the hours they spend tending to pets fun. To a pet lover, pet sitting is the best job in the world.
Starting a pet sitting business
First of all, pet sitting is a legit business in this day and age; make a concrete business plan. It would likely backfire if you started your business without knowing what you’re up against and how you should prepare to face them. You must also figure out how much you want to charge clients before going ahead with your plan. Besides these steps, there are other things you must do to launch your business.
Understand the rudiments of pet sitting
Anyone who intends to start a pet sitting business would be remiss to ignore the basics of the trade. Pet sitting is a proper means of making ends meet, and just like any other business, it is essential to have a good knowledge of the vocation. The first thing to know is animals. Animals are what you are supposed to watch; therefore, you must know the basics of taking care of them. There is also the business aspect; since anything can happen in this business, you should protect yourself by signing a contract before taking on a job. In the pet sitting industry, there is a wage structure, which is standard practice, but it can vary. Also, soak up every detail the pet owner gives you, document them, and apply them strictly. A pet sitter keeps records of pet information; this also includes that of the pet owner, including home address, contacts, and transaction details. Get this information, and more, to be on the safe side.
Choose a niche
People have different tastes in animals; some are adorable, while others are entirely absurd. Some people choose to domesticate wild animals and make them their pets. People have lions, tigers, and even sharks as pets, which is why you must be clear about what your specialty is. Apart from rare instances, you must select the type of animals you can sit. For example, some people are allergic to cats, so if you’re one of them, make it clear that you only sit certain types of pets. The earlier you sort that out, the better for you and your company. When you select the type of pets you deal with, it would give you more time to learn more about them and develop better techniques to attend to the pets.
If you’ve read this article up to this point, then chances are you’re considering starting your own pet sitting business. Since you’re serious about it, start working towards having a registered company. Depending on where your business is situated, the registration process will be different. Visit the appropriate bodies responsible for granting a license to start a business in the area and follow their requirements until you get your license. With all the necessary details about your new business available, you can get your business registered, and your company can be taxed appropriately.
Be reachable and available
When you start your company, put yourself in a position where it will be easy to reach you. One typical and cheap way is to use online platforms. Start by opening a social media account for your business, and if you can, launch a website. Let your social media handles be where you can freely communicate with existing and prospective clients. Also, use it to reach out to other professionals and companies in the industry. As you launch your website, include your contact details and every additional important information you want clients to know. If you have off days, opening and closing hours, among others, let them know. You could also have them book your services on your website again. If you said you would be somewhere, be there.
Liaise with other professionals in the industry
In the animal care world, different people in various areas contribute to the wellness of pets. Some of these professionals are veterinarians, animal food makers, animal trainers, and more. As a pet sitter, you will need to be in contact with these professionals to help take your business to greater heights. One of the ways you can benefit from these professionals is that you’ll know more about animal psychology and better ways to take care of them. Also, whenever you need vital information, they could be accommodating. You can benefit financially by partnering with them as they could refer you to some of their clients. Another way you can enjoy working with industry gurus is that they could advertise on your social media platforms or website and pay you for your services.
Advertise your business
People can be protective when it comes to their pets, and this is why they don’t just let anyone sit their pets. Also, there are plenty of other pet sitters in the market; therefore, you have to promote your business. Use your social media accounts to promote your business. Make sure the pictures you upload there, and other things you are interested in show that you are passionate about pets. Also, list your business on platforms like Craigslist, Yelp, and others, to get more recognition. And don’t forget to encourage your clients to refer you to their peers; it’s one of the most effective ways to promote your new firm.
Conclusion
Sitting pets can be one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling businesses in the world. Whether you want to operate a full-time or part-time pet sitting business, the pay is not bad. Determine how much you want to charge and do an excellent job at it. Get more capable persons to join your team and expand the business. Remember, referrals are essential- encourage it.