Looking for Pet Sitting business info

[Tina]

Does anyone here have a pet sitting business or know someone in the pet sitting business? My aunt and I are considering giving it a try. We both love animals and would rather spend our time taking care of them, then working 9 to 5 jobs. I'd like to hear from those who know something about it and how to get started (meaning joining associations, getting licensed and bonded, etc).

 

[Rajah]

I don't know, but I suspect someone at a good vet's clinic could help.

 

[epcotfan]

I worked for a pet sitting business for about a year and let me tell you what hard work it is! I ended up quitting because I couldn't see myself doing it for years and years. It was exhausting walking dogs all day. I would have to nap between jobs. The original owner wanted out after about 2 or 3 years and offered me the chance to buy the business. I turned it down. The new owner (who looks after my pets when I vacation) hasn't had more than 5 days off in 3 years. She is exhausted. She currently works from about 6:30am to 9:30pm 7 days a week.
As for being bonded and insured I guess it would depend on your business insurance. Unfortunately this isn't the sort of of business where you can take a day off whenever you want. I came down with the chicken pox and fortunately the new business owner was just starting out so she took my walks for me. Had she not been available I wouldn't have been able to take the time off.

Racking up clientel is what will make your business. We had many regulars. Once you have a few that will give you references that will help. Also advertising at vet offices and shelters helps. You really need to decide what your sales boundaries are. Meaning how far you will go or rather drive to "pet sit." The easiest mistake is to overadvertise and have too many clients. If you can't deliver that will dissapoint potential clients who may never call upon your service again.

Good luck in deciding on your business.

 

[Tina]

Thanks for your input. I'm a little concerned about never having time for myself again, but that is why my aunt and I are considering doing this together. Being able to cover for each other during illness or a vacation is critical. Honestly, I don't see us taking on a huge amount of clientele and we would limit our service to about a 10 mile radius (we live in a densely populated area of many subdivisions). I'm not looking for a multi-million dollar business. I just want to make a enough to not need the 9 to 5 thing. My husband makes a very good salary, so a few hundred a week would be fine. I also think with just the 2 of us, taking on too many clients would cause our quality of service to suffer. I've been doing some calculating (i'm the queen of spreadsheets) and I think we could get by nicely if we each limited ourselves to 3 extended care and 3 dog walks per day. That would give us each about $350 take-home per week after taxes and a percentage of profit for the business (we'd incorporate) expenses.

 

[cherylp3]

check out the following:

http://www.petsitters.com/

http://www.petsitters.org/index.htm

http://www.petsit.com/

My petsitter is a vet tech. I found her on the internet.
She mostly specializes with special needs pets ( she knows how to give shots etc.. )

I wish you luck.
Cheryl

 

[Shontell_Crawford]

A friend of mine started her own sitter business years ago....she stayed exhausted.
As previously mentioned, it is crazy hours, people homes aren't always the cleanest, and she even had people not pay, or checks bounce, etc.

Now that I've pointed out all the negatives...I'm a firm believer that you can do anything you want, if you really want it. Discuss your aunt's level of commitment, have a plan IN WRITING so you both won't feel like you are carrying the bulk of the workload...and GO FOR IT!

You do need to get bonded...but I'm not sure where to send you for that part, sorry.

Let us know when you start!

All the best,
Shontell

 

[ByTheSea]

we use Pets Are Inn

http://www.petsareinn.com/

Maybe you could start out as a "host family" and look into a franchise?

The service picks up our dog and brings her to a "host family" - no cages, etc. check it out!