Pet sitting can be great small business ideas, but where do you start? Nowadays, many people are leaving their homes and living nomad life. So, they cannot care for their pets at home. There are no such kinds of pets that stay outside the house or need not be taken care of daily; cats, fish, birds, and dogs can be on the list of pets. In this article, we will discuss how to start a pet sitting business for newbies who want to start a pet sitting business only after thinking carefully.
What is a pet sitting business?
A pet sitting business is a company that provides care for animals of all kinds. The company’s services can range from dog walking to overnight stays in the owner’s home. These businesses have become very popular in recent years as more and more people have had to work longer hours and travel more often. Pet sitting is a booming business, and for a good reason. According to the Humane Society, more than 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats are owned in the United States. With so many pet owners searching for reliable and trustworthy pet sitters, it’s no wonder that pet sitting is a booming industry.
How does it work?
There are many options available, depending on the type of service you’re looking for. You can book a single visit, ask for multiple visits per day, and ask your pet sitter to stay overnight. The price is based on the length of visit and the number of visits you choose.
- Search for pet sitters near you that are qualified to care for the pets you need help with.
- Read their profile and see their reviews from other pet parents. Check out their availability and make your request.
- Your sitter will accept or decline your booking, and if received, we’ll charge your card for the reservation total. You can then message your sitter with any questions!
- Meet up with your sitter at a time that works for both of you to exchange keys, get them acquainted with your home, and show them around the neighborhood!
- Enjoy your trip! Check-in on Rover’s mobile app while away to receive updates from your pet sitter. Check out when you get home and leave a review to help them book future stays!
What qualifications should you have?
One of the most common questions new business owners ask us is, “What qualifications should I have to start a pet sitting business?” We’ll answer that question fully in just a second. Still, before we do, it’s important to point out that the primary qualification for being a successful pet sitter is not formal education. Sure, it helps if you’ve studied animal care in school, but that’s not the most crucial factor. Instead, your personality and attitude are more important. After all, pet sitting is a service business. That means you’ll be working closely with people and their pets individually, so you have to have the right temperament to succeed in this industry. Ideally, you should be someone who loves animals and people! It would help if you also were responsible and trustworthy — especially since your clients will be leaving their pets in your care. If you meet those criteria and are willing to learn how to run a pet sitting business successfully, then you qualify!
How much does it cost?
Pet sitting rates vary widely and are dependent on several factors. The number of animals, their size, and the services required, such as administering medication or special care, all affect how much you’ll pay.
- Hourly Rates: $20-$45/hour
- Daily Rates: $50-$75/day
- Overnight Rates: $80-$100/night
- House Sitting: $25-$45/visit
- Extras (pick-up poop, pet taxi, dog walking): $5-$25
What are the benefits of having a pet sitting business?
Dog sitting is a great business to start! Here are some reasons why you should consider starting a dog sitting business:
- You get to work with dogs all day! Every day!
- It’s flexible – you can choose the hours and days you work.
- You can be your boss, making the rules and setting the pricing.
- Financial freedom – if you have a goal in mind, you can work as hard (or as little) as you want to achieve it!
- You’re helping people out during a difficult time – lots of people are away from home for weeks at a time, so they’re grateful that they can leave their dog in the loving hands of someone like you.
- You’re giving dogs a chance to live outside of a kennel or shelter, which is excellent for the dog’s well-being!
What are the risks of having a pet sitting business?
Besides the risk of a pet escaping, many risks and liabilities are associated with pet sitting. Here are a few examples:
- Pet sitters can be bitten by pets in their care, resulting in injury and sometimes requiring a trip to the hospital.
- Pets may injure other pets or people while under the care of a pet sitter.
- Many pets are not used to having people in their homes when they aren’t home, so pets may chew on furniture, carpets, electrical cords, or other valuables.
- Some pets will go on the floor or walls (or worse) if they are not correctly walked or taken out frequently enough while their owners are away.
- Pet sitters who walk dogs may be injured if they slip and fall while walking, especially if they are walking more than one dog at a time (See Dog Walking Liability).
What are the other qualifications you should have?
Aside from having a love for animals and being able to care for them, other qualifications are essential to running a successful pet sitting business.
- Should be honest, dependable, and trustworthy.
- Must have good communication skills and the ability to follow directions.
- You should be able to work independently and keep your clients informed of what is going on with their pets.
- It should be organized to keep track of your appointments and record any medical issues or changes in behavior that may need to be communicated with your client.
- Have a lot of patience to deal with unexpected situations. You never know what can happen when dealing with animals.
What are the benefits of having a pet?
Pets can be very beneficial to their owners. They have many different types of benefits to them. Here are a few benefits of having a pet
- Improve your mood. Many studies have found that people who own pets are less likely to feel lonely and are often happier and in better spirits than those who do not own any pets.
- Protect heart health. Pet owners have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and lower triglyceride levels (a type of fat found in your blood) than non-pet owners.
- Live longer with a pet. Studies show that pet owners tend to live longer than those without pets.
- Help manage anxiety and depression. Pets are good listeners, provide unconditional love, affection, friendship, and reduce stress which helps people manage their mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
- Help overcome loneliness by providing companionship. Pets can help you feel involved and needed – someone to look after and care for – which is particularly important for older people who live alone or are widowed or divorced.
What are the risks of having a pet?
Pet sitting is a business, and like any other business, it comes with risks. As a pet sitter, you will be responsible for other people’s pets — and their homes. You’ll have to take steps to protect yourself from the many risks.
- The most obvious risks are injuries suffered by the pet or the sitter. If a dog or cat bites you or an employee, or if you’re bitten by a dog or cat belonging to one of your clients’ neighbors, you can be on the hook for medical bills and other expenses.
- Accidents happen on trips as well. A car crash could cause injury to passengers, including pets, and damage your vehicle.
- Another risk is that a pet might get lost or stolen while under your care — and the owners might think you were at fault for leaving the door open or allowing them to go outside unsupervised.
- Then there’s theft from homeowners. Your clients may think less of you if things get stolen from their homes while you’re in charge of taking care of their pets and homes.
- Addressing these risks means ensuring your business correctly.
Summary: How to Start a Pet Sitting Business
I think it’s important to note that this is a growing trend, and the number of pet sitters will likely continue to rise in the future. Rather than let your dog suffer at home when you find yourself busy or away on vacation or leave your pet in a high-stress environment like a kennel, many pet owners choose instead to hire pet sitters. And why not? It gives their pets an extra layer of care and sometimes even saves owners some money on onboarding costs. Plus, if you’re well-connected socially, it can be quite a fun way to meet new people!yu
