Pet Sitter

If you have a love for animals then pet sitting may be for you. A professional pet sitter is someone who provides in home care for pets while their owners are away or for scheduled daily visits. This is a valuable and in-demand service that is growing. Pet owners are turning to in-home care for their pets to avoid traumatizing them by boarding them in an unfamiliar smelling small pen at a noisy kennel.

A good pet sitter spends quality time with their clients' pet providing exercise and food and water. They also know how to tell if a pet needs veterinary attention. Some pet sitters offer convenience services such as plant watering, bringing in the mail and newspapers, security check of the premises, and turning lights off and on. Many pet sitters offer additional services such as: overnight visits, taxi services for routine veterinary appointments or grooming services and pooper scooper services.

If you have never owned a pet but love animals and want to break into this field, a good place to gain some experience is to volunteer at an animal shelter to learn about different pets that people may have and how to care for them. You should only pet sit for animals that you have an understanding about the type of care they need. Not all animals are going to be friendly and special precautions may be needed before taking care of the animals. To get your feet wet you may wish to work for another pet sitting company before starting your own business. This will give you an inside look at how a pet service really works.

If you do wish to start your own business you will need to acquire insurance. This will cover any mishaps that may happen while the animal is in your care. Some states require a license but this may only apply to small businesses that have employees. Each state is different so do your homework.

You will also need to create a website and have business cards made. You can advertise your business by posting a flyer at your veterinary office, handing out business cards to people at dog parks, taking out an ad in your local newspaper or town newsletter. You can also spread the word through postings at grocery and pet stores. Pay scales for pet sitters will vary depending on services offered and geographical location.

While doing your research there are two professional pet sitting organizations that you should look into: Pet Sitters International and National Organization of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). Both of these organizations provide tools, information, support and networking opportunities to help you start your business right.