pet sitting job?

Question

I'm planning on starting a pet sitting business during the summer along with this other girl and I'm wondering would you trust or dog or cat with two 13 year olds for a few days (like just to feed play clean their poop and walk them) once a day. And if so how much would you pay them?

p.s. I have a 4 pet cats and my friend has 2 cats and a dog

Answer 1

ehh sorta.
im 14. me and my friend tried that before.
did not work out so great. being completely responsible
for someone else's pet is a hard task. if something happens it will be your fault.
try walking dogs instead.
that is wat worked for us.
this is how we charged people...
okay depends what size of dog.
large, medium, small...
then times...
45 min, one hour, two hours, or three hours...
for example
45 min for a medium dog is 10 large is 15 and 5 for a small dog.
one hour is 15 dollars for a medium dog 20 for large and 10 for small...
and so on...
let me know if this workss!

Answer 2

I would but only if I already knew them fairly well. Most 13 y.o. young folks are not as responsible as you sound, nor can they be counted on to put the care of someone else's dog/cat above their own sudden desires. For instance, although they should be walking the dog, a friend drops by and they both go out to the movies instead--or they get into a video game and forget the rest of the world. If I were you, I'd start by asking all your teachers, adult friends, adult relatives, local acquaintances (but make sure you now these people so you aren't getting into a bad situation unknowingly) if they need someone to pet sit or even just do daily dog walks, etc. I know that some of the people at work need someone to walk their dog daily because no one is home for 12+ hours a day. My niece does dog walking in Boston and she charges $25 per dog per week. You should also write up a contract stating exactly what services you will be providing for that person, how often, what happens if something unavoidable comes up and you can't do it, what happens if the payer cancels suddenly, etc. It's probably better for you if you charged by the week (5 days of dog care whether they use all 5 days or not) otherwise you'll need to be paid every day to make sure you get what you are owed. Like, what if you go to the house one day and the payer is home 'cause he's taken a day off of work so he will be walking his own dog that day--do you charge him even though you didn't walk the dog? Would you not charge if he gave you at least 24hours warning? What if the dog got suddenly sick or injured--what would you do? What will you do if someone doesn't pay or can't pay what they owe you? What happens if some horrible accident happens while the animal is under your care--you (or your parents) can be sued so you might want to consult your parents. I would highly suggest you NOT take a job from anyone you (and your family) do not already know and trust--too many sickos out there. You might want to also ask if your local vet(s) will hire you to walk the dogs in their care (if you could land that job, it would be a super good future work reference).

Answer 3

To be honest, if I had a 13 year old daughter I'd be more than a bit wary of her doing something like this for strangers in a city, maybe a bit paranoid. I guess you are gonna vet the potential dog owners, even so... If it's people you already know, maybe different. What's the objective? For her to make money or get the experience and responsibility? If the latter, how about volunteering at an official animal charity/dog pound? Still make sure the people she works with are OK! :) That kind of work won't pay but would look good on her record if she wants to pursue a career in that field. Sorry if I sound a bit paranoid, I'd be a terrible parent :)

Answer 4

i want to be totally honest with you . Just from what you wrote NO WAY would Itrust you.
Sorry but a dog especcially needs to be taken care of more than just once a day.
i have a 150 pound great dane do you think you ccan walk something like that and he needs to go for at least a 1/2 hour walk 3 times a day.
Can you get insurance so if my great dane got away and got hit bye a car what would you do??
This is a lot of what you need to consider.
Also My sister has a dog that isn't good with being walked and will take off on you what again would you do.
I would suggest you and your friend maybe try volunteering at a shelter or a vets office to get more used to different breeds of dogs before you really consider this.
Also you may wanat to check into any laws do you need a business license to collect money and advertise.
Good luck

Answer 5

I think 13 is a bit too young... just wait a couple years. I, a 23 year old, have been a pet sitter many times. I stay at the house and take care of the pets for $25 a day. If you can find someone who is ok with a 13 year old, I wouldn't charge any more than $10 a day.

Answer 6

Pet sitting is a big responsibility. Other than caring for your own animals, have you and your friend received any formal training? Do you have references? You sometimes have to go into people's homes when they are away. Do you have liability insurance?

Here are some websites you may want to check out.

http://www.petsitllc.com/

http://www.petsits.com/

http://www.petsitters.org/

http://www.petsit.com/

You might want to check if there is already a pet-sitting business in your area, and see if you could find employment with them, as they would probably have the liability insurance, and you wouldn't have to pay for it.

Best of luck!

Answer 7

if you will be sitting for people on vacation, once a day is not enough. Pet sitters are usually bonded & have insurance - I doubt you will be able to do that at your age.

You should also have considerable experience handeling many dogs other than your own before you'd have enough experience to pet sit

Answer 8

well probably. but i would want my dog to be put outside (you can play with them) but NO WALKS and you can clean up our poop in our backyard if u want! oh and i would charge $10per dog per day (cuz vets charge $17 per dog perday for your dog to sit in a steal cage with no love

Answer 9

I would, especially if you have taken good care of your own animals. I'd of course have to talk to your parents and their opinion on how well you take care of animals, but I would definitely give you a chance.