How To Start A Pet Sitting Business

So you want to start your own pet sitting business, eh? I was in the boat as you a few years back. I did some research, figured things out, and launched a successful pet sitting business with my wife.

Get this... during our first year in business, we are proud to say that we've acquired over $100,000 in pet sitting services - all during our first 12 months out of the gate.

OK, now that you have a bit of background on me, let's get right into things...

First let's address What makes a good pet sitting business owner?

There are 4 qualities you'll want to make sure you master before you start a pet sitting business.

1) Become Trustworthy

If you only develop one quality, make it this one.  As a pet sitter, we are asking our clients to put a lot of trust in us.  We will gain access to their home while they're away, and be responsible for the well being of their pet.  If a client feels she can not trust you, you simply will not become her pet sitter.

2) Be Friendly and Social

We are lucky enough to spend all day with cats and dogs, but it's easy to forget the human in the equation.  You must display your outgoing social skills and be able to relate to the potential client so she can feel comfortable with you as her new pet sitter.

3) Look Neat, Clean and Professional

Even though you are working out of your home, you'll still need to clean up and look good when meeting with potential clients.  You'll also have the chance to talk to people while you're out and about.  You will make an initial impression with everyone you cross paths with.  Make it a good one.

4) Display Confidence and Become An Expert

A good pet sitter knows the industry and can instill confidence in a potential client that she is the best for the job.  A client will want to know that you are on top of things and have what it takes to do the best job possible.

Start a pet sitting business and you can drastically change the quality of your life.  Running your own pet sitting business from home allows you the freedom to be your own boss, set your own hours and secure your financial future.

Now let's take a look at some of the services you can offer to successfully start a pet sitting business.

All happy and successful people in life are in on a little secret. In order to succeed at anything you put your mind to, you must absolutely love what you do. If you do not find the passion in your day-to-day job, your business will quickly fizzle out.

The saying “Success is a journey, not a destination” has never been more applicable today.

As pet sitters, it’s important that we enjoy the journey as much as we enjoy the destination. In other words, it’s vital to the success of your business that you truly enjoy the service you are providing and not doing it half-heartedly just for the money.

Luckily, you have the benefit of choosing from an array of services to offer your clients that best fit your personality, lifestyle and goals.

Psychologists group successful people into two different categories: those that are goal oriented and those that are process oriented.

Goal oriented people, like business executives, will focus exclusively on the outcome of a project. They’ll be most interested in the bottom line with little interest in what it took to get there.

Process oriented people, like artists or performers, will focus more on the journey, including the day-to-day activities that lead up to the overall goal. Think about a painter in the middle of his masterpiece. His goal is to produce a beautiful piece of art, but if he does not love every minute that he stands in front of the canvas, it’ll glaringly show in the completed work.

Discovering the right mixes of services to offer will allow you to be more productive and spend your time more wisely. You’ll be able to excel at your job without spreading yourself too thin.

Choose the services you will genuinely find enjoyable. Nobody wants a service performed by someone who doesn’t really want to be providing the service to begin with. We’ve all been out to a restaurant with friends and family only to be greeted by a server who’d rather be elsewhere.

Choosing to offer only the most appropriate services for your time schedule, personality and business model will keep you mentally sane while keeping your clients overly satisfied and thrilled.

And we know that an overjoyed client will use your service again and again while being a brand representative for your thriving business (i.e. They will tell all their friends with pets about the amazing service they just discovered!).

There are plenty of services you can offer. Keep in mind that the more you offer will not necessarily translate into more profit. Offering the best service possible at the right price to the most amount of people will.

Choose your services carefully. You can always grow your business by offering additional services as time goes on.

Here’s a list of the most popular services to offer your clients:

• Dog Boarding
• Dog Walking
• Cat Boarding
• Cat Sitting Visits
• Special Needs Pets (shots, pills)
• Hotel Visits
• Doggie Daycare
• Sleepovers
• Pet Taxi
• Pooper Scooper Service

Furthermore, you can choose additional complimentary ‘extras’ for every client:

• Complimentary Meet-n-Greet/Play Dates
• Water the plants
• Bring in the mail/newspapers
• Alternate lighting and curtains each day (if client is away on vacation)

DOG BOARDING

You watch and care for a client’s dog in your home for a pre-determined number of days. The client will provide all pet amenities including food, bedding and favorite toys. Your job is to provide the love, affection, supervision and care.

DOG WALKING

At specified/pre-designated times, you go over to the client’s home and walk the dog for a pre-determined length of time. Most common times mid-day while client is at work and in the evening. Walks can range from 10-15 minutes for a quick potty break or a longer 30-60 minute walk.

CAT BOARDING

A client’s cat stays with you in your home for the duration of their absence. It’s important to note that cats in general do not like using other cats’ litter boxes. Therefore, please request that each client bring over their cat’s litter box for use while in your care. Additionally, remind the client to bring the cat’s favorite toys, scratching post and food.

CAT SITTING VISITS

Each day the client is away, you spend a pre-determined amount of time in the client’s home with the cat. During your visit, you’ll typically feed according to their schedule, change the water, scoop out the litter and play with the cat. Typical visits range from 30-45 minutes.

SPECIAL NEEDS VISIT

Some pets require pills, medications or shots. These services, if you are trained, educated and capable, could be additional fees for your service. Obviously, you should only do what you are comfortable doing and always get clear, specific instructions on all medical procedures. Don’t be afraid to have the client show you how something is administered or given to be sure you are best performing the job.

HOTEL VISITS

Sometimes a client will be a tourist or traveler in town (with their faithful companion) on business. You may be asked to keep the dog company at the hotel or take her out for some playtime while the family hits the town or the businessperson attends meetings all day.

DOGGIE DAYCARE

A client may feel bad leaving her sweet pooch alone in the home all day with only a quick visit from the sitter in the afternoon. She may opt to drop the dog off at your home for the day and pick him up on her way back from work in the evening. You will keep the dog company all day in your home while the client goes about her day.

SLEEPOVERS

Some pets just do better remaining in their own environment. In this case, the client will ask you to spend the night in her home with the pet. Exercise the utmost care and respect while at the client’s home. As a general rule, avoid rummaging through the cabinets and belongings unless specifically given permission to do so.

PET TAXI

The ultimate in pet transportation, there may be times you’ll be asked by the client to transport the pet to or from the vet, groomer, day care or other place. This service may also be an add-on to any other service you provide.

POOPER SCOOPER SERVICE

Yep, this is exactly what it sounds like and people are paying plenty to have others do it for them. Most homeowners let their dogs out a few times in their fenced-in yard. Well, you get the point. Let’s just say that they’re not picking up after the pup every time. This service works well as an add-on to your other core services. Or you can choose to pass on this one altogether.

Still with me down here...? Awesome!

So you remember I mentioned earlier that my wonderful wife and I (she really is wonderful!) started a pet sitting business? And that we were fortunate enough to rake in just over $100,000 in pet sitting services? And all that was in our first year out of the gate?

Well, we've put together a 30-step blueprint that spells out EXACTLY how we did it and what steps we took to get there. You can view the blueprint about how to start a pet sitting business on our website, if you wish.

You can also feel free to contact me directly at anytime with specific questions you may have.

Here are 2 additional links if you want to keep absorbing all you can about starting that pet sitting business of yours!

1) Our Pet Sitter's Business Blog - contains plenty of articles on how to market your pet sitting business website, gain more pet sitting clients and basically stay sane through it all.

2) Want to see just how much money is being spent on pet care in the USA alone? Hint: It's more than $40 billion! Get an inside look at the pet business industry and get your share today...