I already pet sit, but I want to start an offical business, what things do i need to know? Would like to hear from a anyone who has this businesss. do i need training in first aid? insurance? Anything you could tell me is great.
2006-08-31 11:35:06 · 8 answers · asked by IndigoSapphire 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I had a pet sitting business for 7 years.. it is a lot of fun...but a lot of work as well. I did have a lot of pet knowledge before starting it as I worked as a vet tech for several years, so was able to handle emergency type situations,as well as treating diabetic animals and animals on medications and animals on fluid treatments...so animal experience is a big plus! You will need insurance and should also get bonded. Here are a couple of good websites to get you started. The pet sitters associations offer insurance and bonding at reasonable rates.
http://www.petsit.com/index.html
http://www.petsitters.org/
http://www.pattimoran.com/
2006-08-31 15:50:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely get insurance. There is a free comparison chart at www.petsits.com/insurance.htm.
Set your policies. There are lots of decisions you need to make (will I do every other day sits for cats, what hours will I be available, will I insist on payment before servcie, etc, etc).
Make up your legal contracts. It's a good idea to get a lawyer to check them over.
Open a business account. All business stuff needs to go through that bank account.
Check to see if licensing is required in your town, your county, and your state.
Join some pet sitting groups to learn more. There is a list of great message boards at www.petsits.com/messageboards/ . Other large pet sitting associations include Professional United Pet Sitters, Pet Sitters International, and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.
Buy some pet sitting business books. I like The Professional Pet Sitter by Mangold, but many of the ones you'll find are good (just do a simple search for pet sitting at Amazon.com for list).
2006-09-02 16:17:54 · answer #2 · answered by petsitscom 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had my own pet sitting business for 10 years. I recommend buying Patti Morans book, "Pet Sitting for Profit". Make up business cards. Register your business name. Get bonded. Insurance is possible, but expensive. Have forms to fill out that include the clients name, address, phone number, emergency contact, and pet info such as name, breed, age, medications, etc. Write out feeding instructions carefully. Give an estimate of fees and what they include or don't include, such as watering plants or bringing in mail, etc. Be as detailed as possible. Keep good records. If you have a business, you'll be expected to pay taxes if you make more than a certain amount. You may need an accountant to help you set this up. Advertise everywhere! Be creative! Good luck! :)
2006-08-31 12:01:34 · answer #3 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I see a lot of caretakers/pet sitters/dog walkers come into the animal hospital where I work. It's amazing how many of these so-called "professionals" have no clue what to do in an emergency, or even how to recognize one.
Please, if you are serious about providing the best service for your clients and their pets, GET TRAINED.
Financially-speaking, you should keep a credit card number on file for each client for emergencies and get an authorization form for immediate medical treatment if it is ever needed.
2006-08-31 11:48:48 · answer #4 · answered by K P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to know how to efectively and safely handle dogs in all types of situations, you need to be familiar with the breeds, you need to know pet first aid and CPR, you need to have liability insurance, you need to know how to properly put on and use various collars such as prongs, gentle leader/haltis, training (choke) collars, harnesses, etc. You need to know how to handle yourself and the pets in an emergency situation, you need to know how to properly care for various types of pets, you need to know how to keep very accurate records and ledgers, you need to know how to interact with various types/personalities of people
2006-08-31 12:10:49 · answer #5 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should probly find reseach on when animals are sick find types of medicene, and ask someone to build a buliding
2006-08-31 11:41:36 · answer #6 · answered by nothingtosay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get ready for absolute chaos...And money...
2006-08-31 11:53:26 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
where the pooper scooper is
2006-08-31 11:40:09 · answer #8 · answered by brussellstuff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋