Home Business – Pet Sitting

16. Dec, 2009 0 Comments

So you want to start a pet sitting home business. Many people spend much money on their pets these days and would like to make sure their pets are taken care of while they are unavailable. This is what makes this business so lucrative—whether you just got laid off and are needing to work or you have a love for pets, this home business can provide you with great income potential with a startup of less than $500.

What to expect

For this business—all you need is transportation, a cell phone, insurance, a love for animals, and patience and you have what it takes to become a great pet sitter. It’s always best that you are familiar with the type of pet you will be sitting; I would hate to see if this was your first time around a dog or you just happen to have an allergic reaction.

A typical day consist of the following:

It’s 7am and the Johnson’s have dropped off MiMi for the day. MiMi is excited to see you and looks forward to enjoying the company of the other pets. You decide to place MiMi in a kennel until you open up for playtime; but before playtime, you let all the pets outside to relieve themselves. The dogs enjoy fetch, running around and a multitude of toys. After they all have been taken out for a walk and enjoy plenty of water for the day, it’s time to come back inside and have rest time inside their kennels. Each dog is given his or her favorite treat for good behavior. Because the dogs had a long active day, they are excited to take a nap. When the Johnson’s return to pick up MiMi , they are given a progress report to let them know how the day went.

Of course this is just an example (you can set your home business schedule the way like).

Insurance

Pet sitting insurance is very beneficial for a low monthly cost. It provides the following:

· Bodily injuries coverage
· Coverage for Damage caused by you (which includes injuries the dog sustains while in your care or damage to items that belong to the dog).

Income Potential

The average fee for a full time pet sitter is $175 per day and a visit would be $16. Of course the average rates vary depending upon where you live. Many business owners choose to do this business on their own, but some seek hired help.

Marketing your business

The best way of marketing your pet sitting business is through word of mouth and referrals. Many people choose to place an ad in the newspaper and provide a website for online information. Try talking with people anywhere you know there will definitely be dog owners:

· Animal hospital / Veterinarian
· Dog parks
· Obedience classes
· Neighborhood

Pet sitting Associations

The following organizations provide many pet sitting resources and will help to get your business up and running:

· PetSitUSA
· Pet Sitters International
· The National Association of Pet Sitters
· The International Association of Canine Professionals