| Reasons to start a pet sitting business can be | | | | and when a pet requires veterinary medical attention. |
| different, depending on whom you ask. Some | | | | Becoming associated with a veterinarian who can |
| motivation comes from those affected by the | | | | provide emergency services is recommended by the |
| national rise in layoffs. For others, it might be the | | | | Humane Society of the United States. Always check |
| desire for a mid-life career change, or as a response | | | | with a licensed veterinarian if you are a pet sitter, |
| to The American Pet Product Manufacturers | | | | and have any questions about the care of a pet |
| Association estimation that Americans will spend an | | | | including administration of medications. In addition, |
| overall total of $43 billion on pets in 2008. | | | | becoming Pet CPR certified can be a valuable asset |
| Whatever the reason, small businesses nationally | | | | to your business. For more information about Pet |
| have created 60-80 percent of the net new jobs | | | | CPR courses, please contact your local American Red |
| over the last decade, and they are the core of how | | | | Cross chapter. |
| the United States is growing. | | | | The Humane Society of the United States provides |
| Pet sitting has been named as one of the fastest | | | | some very good tips for pet owners in search for a |
| growing home-based businesses according to the | | | | pet sitter. Do you have written proof of commercial |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entrepreneur.com's report | | | | liability insurance and bonding? What is your training |
| 'Become a Pet-Sitter or Dog Walker' explains that the | | | | and experience? Is there a backup in case of |
| outlook for pet sitters and dog walkers has never | | | | emergencies? Do you provide related services such |
| been better. Both pet sitting and dog walking are still | | | | as grooming, dog walking, dog training, and play time? |
| in their infancy as recognized professions. But with | | | | Do you have a contract spelling out services and |
| only about 3 percent of households nationally using a | | | | fees? Can you provide phone numbers of other |
| pet sitter or dog walker, there is plenty of room for | | | | clients as references? Be prepared to answer any of |
| new pet sitting and dog walking businesses to | | | | these questions from prospective clients. |
| emerge and grow. There are no statistics on the | | | | Once you establish your business, how do you get |
| number of dog walkers, but some estimates put the | | | | your clients? If you have a pet, chances are likely |
| number of bonded and insured pet-sitter businesses | | | | you network with other pet owners in the |
| nationwide at 10,000. | | | | neighborhood, at the dog park, and at your |
| Pet sitting and dog walking can be very profitable | | | | veterinarian's office or training class, where the |
| and rewarding, especially in large major metropolitan | | | | opportunity to get new clients is unlimited. Word of |
| areas where pet walking in particular has become | | | | mouth is one of the very best ways to market your |
| more popular. The national average is about $16 per | | | | services, most importantly because it is FREE! As you |
| visit, and it usually customary to charge an additional | | | | get one client it will certainly multiply into more as |
| $1 to $3 for each additional animal in the household. | | | | they are sure to share their positive experiences with |
| Do the math, and at 6 visits per 7 day work week, | | | | other pet owners in need of your services. |
| is $672 per week or $34,944 per year. Add a few | | | | Your organic marketing approach, paired with an |
| more pets per household, and you are making well | | | | online presence will sure to make your business grow. |
| over $35,000 while working for yourself, and with | | | | Clients expect you to be online, so they can shop |
| some of the cutest clients in town. | | | | your services, and learn more about you. With |
| Professional pet sitters care for people's pets either | | | | approximately 90% of Americans using the Internet, |
| for the day or for longer periods of time like during | | | | a website for your pet business is not a luxury, it's a |
| vacations or business trips. Many professional pet | | | | necessity. |
| sitters also double as dog walkers they often offer | | | | There are also several national pet sitter and |
| other services like cleaning up accidents, changing cat | | | | professional pet associations such as PetSitUSA, Pet |
| litter boxes, administering pet medications, bringing in | | | | Sitters International, The National Association of |
| newspapers and mail, watering plants and taking out | | | | Professional Pet Sitters, and The International |
| trash. | | | | Association of Canine Professionals that can get you |
| A background in pet care work such as veterinary, | | | | started on the right track, and offer tips and advice |
| pet shelter, dog training or boarding care is of course | | | | about important insurance, bonding requirements, |
| very useful and usually recommended. A well-trained | | | | training, as well as networking opportunities. |
| and experienced pet sitter or dog walker must be | | | | So, for those with an entrepreneurial spirit and a love |
| able to interact effectively with all types of dogs and | | | | of pets, now has never been a better time to follow |
| cats large and small and be comfortable with other | | | | your dreams of starting your own successful pet |
| pets such as birds, rabbits, ferrets, snakes, etc. It is | | | | sitting or dog walking business. |
| also extremely important to be able to determine if | | | | |