Some FAQs if you are considering being a Pet Sitter

What is a pet sitter?

Pet sitters are individuals that provide pet and home care services. Many specialize in certain specific types of services, while others will offer an array of services useful to different types of pet owners. Here are examples of some of the services pet sitters can provide:

• Visits to the pet owner's home, usually 20-30 minutes each, to care for pets and the home during the owner's absence.
• Provide walks and exercise at midday or other times as needed for dogs.
• Keep an eye on owner's home (house-sitting), perform security checks, water plants and lawns and tend to aquariums as needed.
• Provide doggie-day-care services and accompany dogs to play groups or special parks.
• Care and boarding of pets in the pet sitter's home.
• Provide pet taxi service to and from veterinary appointments and grooming visits.
• Sell and/or deliver pet food, supplies and goods if offered as an additional service to pet owners.

Do I have to operate my own business to be a pet sitter?

Owning and operating your own pet sitting service is the ideal goal for most people interested in this profession.  You will reap the benefits of being your own boss, control your own schedule, offer services you enjoy and monitor the growth of your business.

However, should you decide business ownership is not for you, working for an established pet sitting service is an option.  You will care for pets under the direction of a pet sitting service owner.

Do I need an office and space for animals to be a pet sitter?

Most pet sitters operate their business from a modest home office (or desk) equipped with basic supplies and a computer. Because pet sitters typically conduct the initial interview and perform all services at the client's home, it is not necessary to have a formal office.

Unless a pet sitter offers doggie-day-care or boarding of animals in their own homes, clients and their pets will never need to come to the pet sitter's home.

Is there a need for pet sitters?

Yes! Pets are everywhere, in every city, town and rural area. Pet owners that use a pet sitting service enjoy many benefits. Beloved pets are cared for in the comfort and safety of their own home. This is especially important for older and very young pets, as well as those that tend to be nervous and do not tolerate kennels. Some pets require special handling or medications to be given or have physical limitations due to arthritis or other ailment. Pet sitters provide the type of personalized and professional attention required for these animals. Pet sitters are often called upon to care for exotic and unusual animals.

In addition to having pets lovingly cared for, pet owners enjoy the benefit of having their home visited, plants watered, security checks performed and newspapers and mail brought in. Professional pet sitters relieve the pet owner from relying on neighbors, friends and family that may not appreciate the burden of responsibility. Pet sitters often carry liability insurance and are bonded for extra piece of mind.

How much can I earn as a pet sitter?

How much you can earn as a pet sitter will depend on several factors. A pet sitting service business can be as large or as small as the owner wishes for the service to be. Here are some factors that affect income:

• How much time the pet sitter has and how many clients can be accommodated by that time.
• Will pet sitters (or partners in the business/family) be hired to help with assignments as the business grows, or will the owner perform all pet sits personally.
• The addition of services that provide sources of income aside from pet sitting: Pet taxi, pet food supplier/delivery, errand service, pet photography, doggie-day-care, dog walking services, grooming, etc.
• Promotion and advertising efforts that provide exposure and introduce the service on a continuous basis.
• Quality of service, professionalism and reliability which provide excellent references and word-of-mouth referrals.

There are pet sitters that provide limited services and earn several hundred dollars per month. Others have developed businesses that earn in excess of $5,000 per month!