KEEP ANIMALS AND EARN MONEY AS A PET SITTER

Wondering how to earn extra money as a pet sitter? Here are my tips for becoming a pet sitter.

If you love pets, getting into a pet-sitting side business could be the perfect opportunity to boost your income.

People are busier than ever and can struggle to find someone they trust to babysit their furry friends. Since you like animals, you could take care of their pets in exchange for money in your pocket.

In this article, I will tell you how to make money as a pet sitter.

It’s not hard to do. You can give them food and water, play with them, take them for walks, or scoop up cat litter. Giving medicine or checking on their health, if they have any, may also be part of your duties.

Pet sitting can be a great way to earn extra money.

Here are some steps to take to make extra money as a pet sitter:

1.Choose the services you will offer

The first step to becoming a pet sitter is to choose the services you are going to offer. There are many ways to take care of a pet – from dog walking and daily visits to daycare, overnight services, bathing, and grooming.

The services you choose depend on what you like to do and how much time you have. For example, if you like dogs but don’t like bathing them, you might not offer this service.

You could also offer walks, pet sitting, or overnight pet sitting, which are other activities.

2.Decide how much you are going to charge.

One of the hardest parts of starting a side business can be deciding how much to charge. You don’t want the price of pet sitting to be too high, but you want to earn enough to make your time worth it.

I recommend downloading the Rover app and using it to bill for your services. You can check your competitors’ prices and what they offer, as well as read reviews from previous pet owners, giving you more confidence in their services.

Take a look at your area to see how much pet sitters charge. Try to match their prices to stay competitive. A pet sitter living in Paris might charge €25 or more per hour, but a rate closer to €10 or €15 per hour is more common in rural areas.

Each service may also be priced differently. You can charge by the hour to walk a dog but charge a flat rate for an overnight stay or to groom or bathe an animal.

3.Talk to everyone you know.

Now that you’ve established your pet sitting business, you need to find your first client. Family, friends, and neighbors are a good starting point.

Share an update on your Facebook page to let all your friends know about your pet sitting services. Local groups on Facebook can also be a good place to advertise. And don’t forget the good old flyer! You can hang a flyer at the grocery store or on the library bulletin board.

Rover.com is a great site to list your services. Create a profile on the site, and people looking for pet sitters in your area can easily find you.

4.Meet the Pet Owners in Person

Before committing, you should find out the details of the job to determine if it is right for you. Ask the pet owner which days they will need your services and what type of pet they own.

If you are available, the next step is to schedule an appointment to meet the client and their pet in person.

Here are some questions you can ask the pet owner:

• How often is the animal fed?
• What are the animal’s grooming needs?
• Is there any medical history you should know?
• Where are the pet supplies located?
• Has the pet received any special training or commands?
• Is the pet friendly towards other animals?
• What behavior should you encourage?
• Are there any bad behaviors to watch out for?
• Do you need to water plants or bring in mail?
• Does the house have a security or alarm system?
• Does the pet have protection against parasites and ticks?

Create a “pet information sheet” for the pet owner to fill out to make the process easier. This way, all the information you need will be in one place, and you can keep this document for the next time they ask you to care for their pet.

If you have pets at home, ensure your home is free of pests and insects. Also, make sure your pet is treated for parasites to prevent them from bringing them into your home.

5.Meet the Pet Owners in Person

As a pet sitter, it is essential that you are punctual. Your client is counting on you, and a late arrival may lead them to doubt your ability to take care of their pet.

You can either keep the pet at your home or go to their home. Talk to the pet owner to find out their expectations and make sure you do everything they ask. If the cat eats once a day at 6 p.m., feed it only once a day, and ensure it’s as close to 6 p.m. as possible.

Give pets the exercise they need, clean litter boxes and cages, and take care of any additional chores, like delivering mail or watering plants. And, of course, spend quality time playing and cuddling.

6.Add a Special Touch

Stand out by going the extra mile to gain repeat customers. You can send updates and photos to the pet owner while they are away. If food supplies are running low, send them a note so they can buy more on their way home.

If you keep the pet at home, it’s a good idea to leave the house cleaner than you found it. Check if the animals have knocked over flowers or magazines and pick them up.

Also, follow up with customers if you want the opportunity to care for their pet again. Send them a text message or a note in the mail to commemorate a special occasion or holiday as another way to keep in touch with past customers.

Conclusion

Keep in mind that many owners consider their pets to be part of the family, so you must love pets to be successful in caring for them. But if you can’t live without your furry friends, pet sitting can be a rewarding way to earn some extra cash.