Do you love pets? Are you looking to make some extra money? Pet-sitting is a great way for you to make a few extra dollars while taking care of a family’s furry friend. It’s not too hard to get started, and your part-time job will be fun, too!
First, loving animals, especially cats and dogs is a must! You should be experienced taking care of pets and willing to do what it takes to make the pet (and owner happy). A flexible schedule is important too. If you are already really busy or have a job in which you can’t depend on being out of work by a certain time, pet-sitting may not be right for you.
Second, you want to have some references. If you are just starting out, you can get references from family members or friends whom you have helped in the past with their pets. Keep in mind that if you are applying for a job as a cat-sitter, that person will want references from someone you cat-sat for and if you are applying for a job as a dog-sitter, that person will want references from someone you dog-sat for.
Third, get the word out that you are available. Advertise at work, through friends, family, your place of worship, through clubs you belong to, etc — Put up fliers and create business cards. Another way to get business is to register for pet-sitting work at a website dedicated to this. Two popular websites are www.sittercity.com and www.care.com. It’s helpful to post a photo, give detailed information, and both of these websites offer the opportunity for you to run a background check for about $10. If you get a job from one of these sites, encourage your client to write a review since it will encourage others to use you.
Lastly, another way to increase your business is once you get a job, keep business cards handy as you take the dogs for a walk or pop in to care for the animals. You might be surprised to find that many neighbors will ask you questions, such as, “I noticed you are walking Spike today — ” It’s a great opportunity for you to hand your card out and explain your services.
Pet-sitting is a fun and rewarding part-time job. The more comfortable you are with the animals and meeting the needs of their human clients, the more successful you will be.