How to Start and Earn Money Through a Pet & House-Sitting Business

A fun job!

A pet and house sitting business can be very profitable. If you are looking to start one, or already have, one, here are some great tips to try.

Things You'll Need

• Phone
• Computer
• About $1000 or less in start-up costs (depending on advertising)
• Transportation
• Lots of TLC for pets

Instructions

1. 

   Decide to start your pet & house sitting business. Begin by coming up with a cute and eye-catching name. It could be something like "Purrfect Pet Sitting" or "Tender Touch Pet Sitting", etc.

2. 

   Contact your local small business administration (visit http://www.sba.gov/) for advice on getting the business started. They will help you with plan your business, get necessary licenses, market it and more. You can attend classes/workshops or receive one-on-one business counseling.

3. 

   Join the National Association of Pet Sitters. Become bonded and insured, a service they will help with. This is very important for your and your clients protection.

4. 

   Join Pet Sitters International. They also offer tools, information, and support for your business.

5. 

   Set your rates. Keep it reasonable since you are new, but don't underestimate your abilities either. The average is about 12$ per visit - you may set it as more or less depending on the cost of living in your area, etc. You might consider charging a "Holiday Fee" as well. Check out what other pet sitters in your area (if any) charge, and keep it at the same or less.

6. 

   Visit with (and if necessary) hire a CPA. He/she can help you with filing your taxes.

7. 

   Create business cards. You can get them made online for a very low cost (try ebay), or even make them yourself with a kit on the computer.

8. 

   Begin to advertise and market your business. Start light since you don't want to overwhelm yourself at first. One idea is place an ad in the "Yellow Pages" section of a newspaper - (they are small ads in Yellow Pages style) - you can purchase an ad that will run for a full month, for a fairly reasonable price.

9. 

   You might also look into running ads in free community papers/magazines, the Thrifty Nickel, and free newspapers geared towards Senior Citizens. (Most large towns and cities have them, check out the library.)

10. 

    Create and post fliers around town on bulletin boards in places such as grocery stores, pet groomers, etc. (Vets might not welcome them since they offer a kennel, but you never know.)

11. 

    Look into getting your business included in the phone book. Evaluate if the cost is worth it. You might even include a coupon such as 10% off services, etc.

12. 

    Consider getting a booth at a home and garden expo, community fair, etc. Even some craft fairs would be happy to rent you a booth. You can meet potential clients in person, hand out your business cards, etc.

13. 

    Another idea is to mail fliers to families in the area with pets. You can purchase mailing list (arranged by income, pets, etc.) from services such as InfoUsa (http://www.infousa.com/).

14. 

    Consider joining your local Chamber of Commerce. They offer numerous networking opportunities to get your business out there.

15. 

    Create a list of personal and employment references to give to potential clients in case they ask for them.

16. 

    Create a questionaire that you will provide to new clients when they hire you for a job. Include questions such as a pet's name, veternarian's information, what they like to do, where they might hide in the house, etc. Be sure to ask if they would like their mail collected, plants watered, sprinklers turned on, etc. Don't forget to get emergency contact information as well. You can either have them fill it out, or ask them the questions and you'll fill it out.

17. 

    Create a visitation log/form that you will leave at the home. It will include information such as the time you visited, how long you stayed, and any information such as "Fido wanted me to rub his belly" or "Barney refused to go for a walk."

18. 

    Patiently wait for your first job.

19. 

    When you get your first job, provide excellent, top-notch quality service, as you would with any job. Try to go above and beyond. Act as though there are video cameras in the home each time you visit.

20. 

    If you feel comfortable, ask your first clients if you can use them as a reference, or perhaps get a testimonial from them.

21. 

    Continue to promote your business, accept jobs, and provide A+ service. You might have to slow down on advertising because you'll get so much business through word of mouth! Never slack or let the quality of your job go down, always provide lots of tender loving care, and have fun!

Tips & Warnings

• Word of Mouth is the best form of advertising. Keep a good reputation.

• Create a website to help promote the business online.

• If you will be bring your children along on pet visits, only accept jobs from pets that are gentle and don't bite.

Resources

• Pet Sitters International
• National Association of Pet Sitters
• Small Business Administration