Is a Pet Sitting Business the Right Venture for You?
There are dozens of jobs that involve working with animals. You can always work as a veterinarian or a paraveterinary worker, for instance, at a local veterinary practice. Another option is to start your own pet sitting businesses. Pet sitting businesses have become increasingly common in recent decades. As pet ownership in the United States continues to increase, so will the need for pet sitters. With that said, starting any business is a major decision — and a pet sitting business is no exception. Before starting a pet sitting business, you’ll need to determine if this venture is right for you.
What Is a Pet Sitting Business?
A pet sitting business is a commercial business that offers pet-related services while their owners are away. Research shows that nearly 60% of all U.S. households own at least one pet. Dogs and cats are the two most common types of pets. Some households, though, own other types of pets, such as turtles, hamsters, parrots, bearded dragons and more. Regardless, most owners can’t watch their pets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Maybe an owner has a job, or perhaps he or she is planning a vacation. When an owner is away, he or she may seek the services of a pet sitting business.
Common duties and responsibilities of pet sitters include the following:
- Take pets for walks
- Provide pets with fresh food and clean water
- Give pets any medication as indicated by the owner
- Bathing pets
- Take pets to veterinarian appointments
- Petting and offering companionship to pets
- Clean up after pets
Keep in mind that many pet sitting businesses offer other, non-pet services as well. When an owner is away from his or her home, you can offer to check the mail. It only takes a minute to retrieve an owner’s mail from the end of the driveway, but doing so will leave a lasting and positive impression.
Benefits of Starting a Pet Sitting Business
Starting your own pet sitting business comes with several perks. Pet sitting businesses, for example, have low startup costs. You won’t need to lease or rent a store in which to operate your pet sitting business, nor will you need to purchase expensive equipment or supplies. This is in stark contrast to running a veterinary business, in which case you’ll incur these and other expenses. There are still expenses associated with starting a pet sitting business, but you can expect to pay less money to get your venture up and running.
Another benefit of starting a pet sitting business is flexibility. You aren’t forced to work a traditional nine-to-five schedule. With a pet sitting business, you can choose when you want to work. If you have extra free time, you can take additional sitting appointments. If you’re busy with little or no free time, on the other hand, you can refrain from taking additional sitting appointments. Pet sitting businesses offer a high level of flexibility, which is one of the many benefits of starting your own pet sitting business.
Most pet sitting businesses have high client retention rates. Assuming you offer friendly and high-quality sitting services, clients will continue to book appointments with you. Clients will feel comfortable knowing that their pets are in good hands. They’ll see that their pets are safe and happy after the initial sitting service. As a result, the same clients will likely request additional sitting services in the future. With a pet sitting business, you’ll typically experience high client retention rates.
Common Challenges of Running a Pet Sitting Business
You’ll probably encounter certain challenges when running a pet sitting business. One of the biggest challenges is handling new pets. If it’s your first time offering sitting services for a pet, you may have trouble approaching the pet. And if you need to take him outside for a walk, you may not be able to put the pet on a leash. Fortunately, you can overcome this challenge by visiting the owner’s home before the actual sitting service. During this visit, you can introduce yourself to the pet under the owner’s supervision. Pets are usually more comfortable around their owners. Therefore, an introductory visit will help calm pets’ nerves.
Another common challenge of running a pet sitting business is insurance. At a minimum, you’ll need liability insurance. Liability insurance is designed to protect you from claims made against your pet sitting business. For pet sitting businesses, liability insurance isn’t particularly expensive. There are plans available for just $150 to $300 per year, which is a small price to pay for peace of mind knowing that your pet sitting business is financially protected.
You’ll also need to market your pet sitting business. You can’t expect clients to book sitting appointments with your pet sitting business unless they know about it. To spread the word about your new venture, you’ll need to invest in marketing.
