Have soap ……. will travel. There is a white van with paw prints and a picture of a dog in a bathtub that I have seen driving the streets of my town. The wording on the van boasts a cleaner pup without dirtying your bathroom. This is the office of a mobile pet groomer and they are popping up everywhere.
I can see how this service is desirable. We all want our furry critters to be clean and fresh smelling but not too many of us want to take the time to travel to the groomers or worse yet, turn our bathrooms into a damp fur ridden mess complete with the ever so pungent wet dog scent. Of course there is the time spent cleaning the bathroom after cleaning the dog and add to that the many towels you will go through to dry said dog. It can make you think twice about your desire for a clean dog. What’s a dog owner to do? Call a mobile pet groomer of course! Not only is there less mess for the owner, the dog gets one on one attention and does not have to sit in a cage for hours waiting for their turn to be groomed or picked up. Yes, the cost for this service is a bit higher than that of a brick and mortar groomer but the pros of this service make up for it.
These vans come equipped to clean, trim and dry dogs and cats alike. While some require a hose hookup at the client’s location others come with water on board. You would park in your client’s driveway, go to the door, remove a filthy furry friend and return to your client a much cleaner and well groomed pet.
To be successful you will need to know how to groom various breeds. There are grooming schools that will train you or you could get a job in a brick and mortar establishment and learn on the job before striking out on your own. You will need to know how to use both scissors and clippers, how to trim nails, how to handle various breeds and temperaments, have patience and of course you will need to love pets.
As with any business be sure to follow the guidelines for business start up in your state and town, obtain all necessary registrations and insurance. Be prepared to purchase equipment, a van and business cards. The more people consider their pets as part of the family the more special services like mobile pet grooming will be in demand.
Showing posts with label working with animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label working with animals. Show all posts
Pets - a profitable business
At one time dogs were valued only for the work they performed - herding cattle and sheep, hunting, guarding etc.. Now they are seen as companions and even family members. They fill a void for some whose children have gone, those who find themselves alone after a break-up or divorce and even as practice for couples thinking of having a baby.
There is no denying it, the powerful bond between human and dog has never been stronger. According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association’s (APPMA) 2007/2008 National Pet Owner Survey, pet ownership is at it’s highest level ever with 71.1 million households in the U.S. owning at least 1 pet. This is up from 6.9 million in 2004. These numbers explain the explosion of doggie daycares, gourmet treat makers, pet boutiques, pet sitters, obedience trainers, pet salons, Doggie Day Spas offering massages for pets, custom built dog houses, pet hotels and poop scooping companies.
Spending on our furry companions is predicted to hit $50 billion annually by the end of the decade, according to APPMA. Peopel take their pets into consideration when making home purchasess and improvements and even where they will go on vacation. They choose to add lower windows so their pets can see out easier, doggie doors, cat walk installation and more. When purchasing a home they look for a nice sized backyard preferable fenced in, a neighborhood condusive to dog walks, the proximity of doggie parks and ammenities. When it comes to vacations those hotels that cater to pets is the one that is in demand.
If you have ever considered carving a niche in the pet industry, now is the time to go for it. If you already have a pet related business now is the time to add to your product/service line. Not in the pet industry but own a business? Get creative and make your company pet friendly. You will see a growth not only in your bottom line but in your life as well.
There is no denying it, the powerful bond between human and dog has never been stronger. According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association’s (APPMA) 2007/2008 National Pet Owner Survey, pet ownership is at it’s highest level ever with 71.1 million households in the U.S. owning at least 1 pet. This is up from 6.9 million in 2004. These numbers explain the explosion of doggie daycares, gourmet treat makers, pet boutiques, pet sitters, obedience trainers, pet salons, Doggie Day Spas offering massages for pets, custom built dog houses, pet hotels and poop scooping companies.
Spending on our furry companions is predicted to hit $50 billion annually by the end of the decade, according to APPMA. Peopel take their pets into consideration when making home purchasess and improvements and even where they will go on vacation. They choose to add lower windows so their pets can see out easier, doggie doors, cat walk installation and more. When purchasing a home they look for a nice sized backyard preferable fenced in, a neighborhood condusive to dog walks, the proximity of doggie parks and ammenities. When it comes to vacations those hotels that cater to pets is the one that is in demand.
If you have ever considered carving a niche in the pet industry, now is the time to go for it. If you already have a pet related business now is the time to add to your product/service line. Not in the pet industry but own a business? Get creative and make your company pet friendly. You will see a growth not only in your bottom line but in your life as well.
Exercise Rider
Do you love racehorses? Enjoy riding them? Do pounding hooves sound like music to your ears? If so then you may want to consider a career as an exercise rider. An exercise rider trains racehorses to carry out the trainer’s commands. The trainer sets the workout for the horse and the exercise rider carries it out. They must be able to teach the horse such things as pacing themselves, walking calmly, maneuvering through a space between two horses, expose them to various conditions they may encounter on the track in addition to breaking bad habits such as head tossing. They must also be able to recognize soreness or injuries and relay this information to the trainer.
Still interested? What I have gathered from my investigation of this intriguing occupation is that in order to break into this career you must immerse yourself in the horse racing business any way you can. Even if you have experience with horses, the racetrack is a completely different environment. Obtain a job at a thoroughbred farm or small training facility and learn whatever you can. If you prefer, go for formal training. Depending on where you live, a search online for exercise rider training can be tricky. I’ve read that some states require certification and some a license and yet others have licenses for varying levels of exercise rider. I suggest contacting a training facility or thoroughbred farm in the state in which you live and ask about the requirements.
From a number of bio’s of exercise riders that I have read I have noted that many of them started out as hot-walkers then moved up to groom before becoming an exercise rider. This may be the way to go. A hot walker is someone who warms up the horses before their exercise and walks them back to the stable after their workouts. A groom takes care of the horses in the stable. They brush and bathe them, feed and water them, apply hoof dressings and other odds and ends around the stable.
As an exercise rider you will be exposed to both older horses as well as younger horses that may be very obstinate or skittish and accidents can happen. Broken bones are not uncommon in this line of work. You will need patience, strength and a willingness to be humbled by the animal in which you are working with.
Still interested? What I have gathered from my investigation of this intriguing occupation is that in order to break into this career you must immerse yourself in the horse racing business any way you can. Even if you have experience with horses, the racetrack is a completely different environment. Obtain a job at a thoroughbred farm or small training facility and learn whatever you can. If you prefer, go for formal training. Depending on where you live, a search online for exercise rider training can be tricky. I’ve read that some states require certification and some a license and yet others have licenses for varying levels of exercise rider. I suggest contacting a training facility or thoroughbred farm in the state in which you live and ask about the requirements.
From a number of bio’s of exercise riders that I have read I have noted that many of them started out as hot-walkers then moved up to groom before becoming an exercise rider. This may be the way to go. A hot walker is someone who warms up the horses before their exercise and walks them back to the stable after their workouts. A groom takes care of the horses in the stable. They brush and bathe them, feed and water them, apply hoof dressings and other odds and ends around the stable.
As an exercise rider you will be exposed to both older horses as well as younger horses that may be very obstinate or skittish and accidents can happen. Broken bones are not uncommon in this line of work. You will need patience, strength and a willingness to be humbled by the animal in which you are working with.
Farrier
If you love horses and care about their health then becoming a farrier may be right for you. According to wikepedia, a farrier is “a specialist in equine hoof care, including the trimming and balancing of a horse's hoof and the placing of shoes to the horse's foot. A farrier couples a subset of the blacksmith's skills (fabricating, adapting, and adjusting metal shoes) with a subset of veterinary medicine (knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the lower limb) to address the care of the horse's feet.”
This career has peaked my interest so I did some research and have learned that trimming and shoeing a horse will determine how the horse travels and mistakes can lead to a horse being hurt or crippled. A farrier also deals with injured or diseased hooves where the only remedy is to fashion a special shoe which will need to be fitted to the horse. Some basic shop tools that are used in this line of work include files, an anvil, a grinder, a vice and a welder.
I have read that most horses are trained from an early age to stand patiently for a farrier but not all horses will. Some will fidget as a result of becoming nervous with a new person handling their legs and hooves. You will need balance and strength in order to successfully care for a horse’s hooves. If you work with neglected or abused horses then you have a whole separate set of issues to deal with. Some will gladly stand still basking in the attention while others are out right aggressive. A horse may have damaged nerves or other ailments from neglect that may make it near impossible to stand and hold their leg up in which case your balance and strength will need to come into play as you may have to support most of the weight of the horse while working on the hoof.
In my findings I have noted that certification is not required however, it can improve your status as a farrier. People are more confident in hiring a certified farrier. There are many schools in the US that are certified to train you to become a farrier. All you have to do is search on “certified farrier schools” and a number of schools will be at your disposal to explore. If you plan to become certified then you may want to find one that is “AFA” certified. AFA refers to The American Farrier’s Association. The AFA has varying levels of certifications that can be obtained ranging from beginner to expert. The AFA promotes equine welfare and provides continuing education for working farriers. Membership with them provides you with publications, discounts, insurance and more.
This career has peaked my interest so I did some research and have learned that trimming and shoeing a horse will determine how the horse travels and mistakes can lead to a horse being hurt or crippled. A farrier also deals with injured or diseased hooves where the only remedy is to fashion a special shoe which will need to be fitted to the horse. Some basic shop tools that are used in this line of work include files, an anvil, a grinder, a vice and a welder.
I have read that most horses are trained from an early age to stand patiently for a farrier but not all horses will. Some will fidget as a result of becoming nervous with a new person handling their legs and hooves. You will need balance and strength in order to successfully care for a horse’s hooves. If you work with neglected or abused horses then you have a whole separate set of issues to deal with. Some will gladly stand still basking in the attention while others are out right aggressive. A horse may have damaged nerves or other ailments from neglect that may make it near impossible to stand and hold their leg up in which case your balance and strength will need to come into play as you may have to support most of the weight of the horse while working on the hoof.
In my findings I have noted that certification is not required however, it can improve your status as a farrier. People are more confident in hiring a certified farrier. There are many schools in the US that are certified to train you to become a farrier. All you have to do is search on “certified farrier schools” and a number of schools will be at your disposal to explore. If you plan to become certified then you may want to find one that is “AFA” certified. AFA refers to The American Farrier’s Association. The AFA has varying levels of certifications that can be obtained ranging from beginner to expert. The AFA promotes equine welfare and provides continuing education for working farriers. Membership with them provides you with publications, discounts, insurance and more.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
