Care to Your Dog!

Most everyone at one time or another has dreamed or thought about owning their own business; being their own boss; setting their own schedule. Most legitimate or franchise businesses take a lot of capital to start with and these get rich opportunities are nothing more than throwing your money down a black hole.

Most everyone has a passion and love for animals and most everyone has some type of animal for a pet. In today’s society where two-income families have become the norm and young professionals delaying marriage and/or children, many own pet’s and taking better care of them than ever before. This is a great opportunity for you to tap into this growing market and start a pet sitting service business.

Why not take your love for animals and turn it into a profitable business. With over 120 million dogs and cats in the United States there is a huge market for this type of service. This number doesn’t include other types of pets such as fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, birds, ferrets, rabbits and other pets that require care and attention.

As a pet sitter you’re your own boss. With being a pet sitter comes independence and pride in being your own boss. No time clock to punch; no boss looking over your shoulder. You decide when and where to work. Having a business will not only give you a sense of confidence but the self-satisfaction you’ll receive in your abilities to run a business.

Most pet owners will be more than happy to pay for this service if they know their pets are well cared for while they are away.

You can either start out on a part-time basis, full-time basis or only occasionally. You can generate additional income with either of these options.

In the past when pet owners had to be away they either had to leave their pets at unfamiliar kennels or impose on a friend or neighbor to care for them. With a pet sitting service you can provide them with the best alternative in caring for their pets in their own environment enabling the pet owners to travel and knowing their pets are in good hands. People don’t mind paying for a good service that allows them to be worry-free when away from home.

Unlike many other business opportunities, pet sitting can be started with limited cost. It is not necessary to spend a lot in starting a pet sitting service. There’s no inventory and a small investment.

These days the cost of travelling is far less than it used to be. In fact more and more of us are taking advantage of all these low air flight prices and package deals and are now going away on vacation several times a year for long vacations and mini weekend breaks. This is great for us but what about our pets?

Pet ownership is increasing every year and this means that there are more animals out there that require looking after while we are away on vacation. Of course there are several options open to the pet owner, you could pay out for kennelling or you could ask a neighbour or family member. Both of these options are acceptable if you are in the position to pay the kennelling fees or have very good relationships with your neighbours. But if not, then there is another option, Pet Sitters.

Pet sitting offers many benefits over kennelling and asking friends and not just for you but also for your pet. Here are just a few of them:

Your pet will feel happier remaining in their home environment.

Your pet will have structure to their day and receive regular human contact and care.

The sitter will know what to do in and emergency and be able to give any existing regular medications.

The costs involved are far less than kennelling.

There is no need for your pet to travel anywhere, often a cause for stress.

You will not feel as if you are imposing on your friends.

Your home will be regularly visited while you are away.

Of course ensuring that you hire a pet sitter that you can trust is not as easy as it first sounds. There are many people advertising themselves as pet sitters who have no formal qualifications or experience and who may have other motives for wanting to access your home. The best way to find a trust worthy pet sitter is via a recommendation either from friends and neighbours or from another animal professional such as a vet or groomer.

There are also some specialist companies set up who act as agents for pet sitters who monitor and regulate their Sitters regularly. They can also provide a backup sitter if your regular sitter is unable to attend your pet due to unforeseen circumstances. This may add to your piece of mind.

Before you hire someone to look after your pet while you are away it is important that you meet up with them to ask them questions about their experience, qualifications and to see how your pet reacts to them and visa versa. This will help you make your final decision.

Once you have hired your pet sitter a written agreement should be made between you both highlighting what services your sitter will carry out and how often and the costs involved. It should also include details of your pets likes and dislikes, there eating habits and routine, any medications which need to be given etc. You should also show your sitter where everything they will need is kept in the house, like cleaning equipment, the food and litter and the pet’s toys and bedding. You should also provide your sitter will full contact details for yourself, a neighbour, a nearby relative and the local vets, along with a copy of your pets medical papers and record of vaccinations.

To ensure that everything will run smoothly and that your pet will be properly looked after and not feel stressed while you are away there are a few last minute things you will need to do.

Make sure you have supplied enough food and litter for the sitter and have left it in a convenient place.

Make sure doors are closed to rooms you do not whish your pet to enter.

Make sure a small light is left on or is timed to come on for the comfort of your pet.

Ensure that familiar toys are left available for your pet while they are on their own.

Leave a few items of your clothing lying around, the familiar smell will reassure your pet.

Inform a neighbour that a pet sitter will be visiting your home and leave a spare key with them and your contact details in case of emergencies.

With all of this in place, your vacation should be a happy and relaxing experience for both you and your pet.