How to become a pet sitter – Dogster

How do you become a pet sitter? What if you have no experience? We have answers from some of the top experts in the country.

“You should take stock of your pet care experience and knowledge,” says Beth Stultz-Hairston, president of Pet Sitters International (PSI), (an educational organization for professional pet sitters ). for your pets or the pets of your friends and family. What types of pets do you have experience with? What kind of relevant training have you had?

If you need experience or want to make sure pet sitting is in your wheelhouse, spend more time with pets.

“I strongly suggest that you volunteer at shelters or animal shelters,” says Amy Sparrow, president of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), the national nonprofit organization for professional pet sitters. . “Working in veterinarians’ offices, kennels and dog daycares.”

Pet sitters often transition into animal care from other industries. Suzanne Thomsen worked in American companies and then as a teacher. She wondered if pet sitting would be better than the lecture hall and the classroom.

The mother from North Carolina had experience as a caregiver raising her children and dogs. Four years ago, she got her first job as a pet sitter and now has a new ‘leash’ for a fulfilling career.

“I have my own schedules, no constant demands and deadlines, no political environment, no demanding superiors, no recalcitrant students,” says Suzanne. “Petsitting is a relaxed environment with loving pets who just want your love.”

But before you quit your day job, make sure you’re okay with not working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pet sitters work rain or shine, nights, weekends and holidays – the most popular hours go away.

Get a pet sitter certification and join pet sitter organizations

Although no federal regulations require pet sitters to have specific training, look for certifications that prove you are responsible and prepared for emergencies.

Formal training in pet CPR and first aid is essential. PSI and NAPPS offer pet sitter training and certifications that help you stand out from the pack.

“The pet-owning public needs an easily identifiable way to determine the most qualified, knowledgeable, and professional pet sitting options,” Beth says.

Join professional organizations to network and share information. Amy runs her own pet sitting business, but learned from others in the business as a beginner. “The smartest thing I did was join an association. I asked the established members what they wish they had done so that I didn’t make the same mistakes,” Amy says.

How to Start a Pet Sitting Business

First, decide how to run your pet business or service. Do you want to work for a company, create your own or work for yourself?

According to a PSI survey of its members, 99% of pet sitting businesses are independent and more than half are sole proprietors with no employees.

Even if you’re a sole proprietor or work as an independent contractor through a pet care app like Rover or Wag!, create a plan for your accounting, tax, and legal issues.

“One of the biggest drawbacks of aspiring pet sitters is a lack of business knowledge,” says Beth. “It’s important to research the tools and resources you’ll need to run a business effectively and efficiently.”

Hire an accountant and attorney or check with pet boarding associations or the US Small Business Administration for resources.

If you add employees, follow all local, state, and federal rules so you don’t end up in the niche. You may need to file a “do business as” registration with your city or incorporate as a business with your state.

pet sitter insurance

Be sure to purchase insurance. Even if you babysit your pet for a few hours a month, you are providing a service and you could be held liable if something goes wrong.

“General liability insurance is a must-have for any business,” says Janet Ruiz of the Insurance Information Institute. “It protects you and your business from common lawsuits arising from day-to-day business activities. This will cover you if the dog you were walking bites someone.

If you drive pets in your car or bring them home, your car or home insurance might not pay if something happens while you’re at work. Talk to an insurance agent about coverage. If you are certified, you can get a discount.

“We often see businesses fail when they don’t have insurance and suffer losses,” says Janet. “Companies with insurance are more likely to recover from losses.”

Amy has personalized pet and property coverage for her clients.

“I have clients in multi-million dollar homes,” she says. “I worry about a dog knocking over a vase or a dog starting to limp. Insurance covers that.”

How to find pet sitting jobs

The demand for pet sitters is at an all time high. Many pet care companies are rushing to hire more employees. Find a local pet sitter with openings or work on websites and apps that connect sitters with pet parents. Note that some companies take a cut of what you earn. If you want to start your own business, browse through the following before getting started as a pet sitter.

• Decide on a memorable name for your pet sitting service
• Create a logo
• Create a website
• Order business cards
• Start advertising: Post flyers at dog parks, on social media, and ask people to spread the word.

Ask for reviews after each successful pet sitting job. “Your reputation is your most important thing,” Amy says.

Suzanne started by creating a profile on Rover. “You set your parameters: the number of pets, the size of the pets and the distance you will travel. You set your fees,” says Suzanne.

Before a pet sitter can post a profile on Rover, they must pass a criminal background check, pass a pet body language safety quiz, and be approved by the company.

“Rover empowers our community of pet sitters and dog walkers to grow their businesses through our platform,” says Kate Jaffe, Trends Expert at Rover. “With the tools and resources we provide, pet sitters have the flexibility to set their own rates, schedules, services, and choose which bookings they accept, so they can build a pet care business that meets their unique needs.”

Stir! also requires caregivers to submit a profile, pass a pet safety quiz, background check, and have business insurance. Once your profile is approved, you can start working that day.

“It can take months or years for a carer starting out on their own to find enough business to make their business a reality,” says Keith Mosley of Wag!. “But pet owners submit on-demand service requests and scheduled requests on the Wag! app.”

Current rate for pet sitters

“What should I charge? is one of PSI’s most frequently asked questions of pet sitters.

The organization’s most recent survey found that the average fee for a 30-minute pet sitter visit was $24.18. An overnight visit averaged about $90.82. Pet sitting prices vary depending on where you live.

“It’s important to research the current rate in your service area,” says Beth. “It’s also important to calculate your overhead when determining your rates to ensure you can make a profit.”

Ask your clients to sign a contract specifying your role, your rate and your remuneration. “It’s just smart business practice,” Amy says.

A few tips for pet sitters

Network with other pet sitters to have backup caregivers in case you have to cancel.

Ask potential customers to complete a questionnaire about their pets. Be honest if you think you can’t handle the care of their animals.

Suzanne insists on meeting pets before accepting a job. She makes sure she’s a good match, so everyone is safe rather than sorry.

“Having raised two children and taught hundreds of students, I know how important their safety and comfort are,” says Suzanne. “It’s no different when you’re caring for a pet.”