How to Start a Pet Sitting Business

By Valerie Brooks

Instructions

Step 1:
Get a business plan together. For the pet sitter, this means deciding what areas you will cover. From an economic standpoint, choose towns that are within seven miles of your home or wherever you’ll be working from. These are the places you will target for business.
Step 2:
Decide which animals you’d like to work with. You can limit yourself to just cats or just dogs, but you’ll make more money if you service both. Consider whether or not you’re comfortable working with all breeds and whether you’ll work with birds, ferrets, rabbits and other small animals.
Step 3:
Become bonded and insured. The bond will cover theft if you employ any pet sitters to work for you. The insurance will cover the client’s pet and property. You can get both of these through either of the two professional pet sitting organizations, Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.
Step 4:
Decide what you want to charge per pet visit. The average is between $12 and $16. Consider how many and what kind of pets the owner has and how much work is involved in each visit. Some are simple feedings and walkings while others may involve giving medications and light brushing.
Step 5:
Design a business card and flyer. Choose a cheery layout with an animal picture on it, and include your company name, email address, phone number and state that you are bonded and insured and a member of one of the professional pet sitting organizations.
Step 6:
Visit local veterinary offices and pet stores and ask if you can leave a batch of business cards and flyers with them. You can also post them at supermarkets or other high-traffic places you feel pet owners would visit.
Step 7:
Consider setting up a website to give yourself more exposure. List your basic information but entice them enough to call you to get more information. Leave a professional outgoing message on your voice mail or business phone. Many pet sitters use their home number for business as well.

Resources

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