The Business Of Pet Sitting: How Professionalism Leads To Success

Posted on: 14 October 2016

It is very easy to fall into the trap of viewing pet-sitting as a hobby rather than a business. The sitter performs their tasks in a residential home and spending time with pets is usually very enjoyable. However, not taking the job as seriously as any other can cause the business to fail and may even lead to a lawsuit. It is important to remember that running this type of company requires as much knowledge and professionalism as any other business. 

Spend the Money

A professional pet sitting company requires investment. Start with a pet sitting course held by a qualified coach to fully understand the industry. Incorporate the company to separate personal assets from the business and use the tips learned in the pet sitting course to market the company effectively. Business branding, an informative website and a comprehensive business plan are as important for this company as they are in any other industry. 

Get Some Insurance

Pets get sick, mistakes are made and sometimes personal property gets broken. There is always the potential for problems to arise when pet sitting. The entire business is at risk if the sitter does not have liability insurance protection. 

Be Incredibly Organized

Organizational skills can make or break any business, including a pet-sitting service. Pet sitters must arrive as promised and remain as long as required, so schedule wisely. They need to know what the pet has for allergies, what their bathroom habits are like, and every other detail the owner stated as important. Tracking all of this as well as the emergency numbers for the pet and contact numbers for the owner is a necessity. Keeping detailed instructions and information for every client is important because the owner will feel less confidant when they need to resupply all the information each time they call. 

Maintain Complete Privacy

Do not bring friends or family into the home of the client. Clients will often feel uncomfortable about a stranger being in their home and around their pets when they are not around. Never discuss a client with anyone. Giving away personal information about a client or letting it be known when their home is empty will destroy the confidence people have in their sitter. Pet sitting companies with more than one employee should choose who will manage each client and only send them to the home for the care of the pet. The owner must be notified in advance if the employee is ill or otherwise unavailable and a substitution is sent. Discuss the potential for this scenario with the client beforehand to assure them that all employees are fully trained, screened and reliable. 

There is a great deal of potential profit in pet sitting if the business is run professionally. It is possible to watch a pet now and then for a little extra pocket money, but many pet owners are looking for more. They want sitters that can visit daily while they work, manage the care of the pets while they entertain, and care for them 24-hours a day during their vacations and business trips. This is a wonderful opportunity for any business-minded pet lover that is seeking the perfect way to earn a living. For more information, contact pet sitting coaches, such as Kathy Clarke.

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