| While the idea of a pet sitting business may | | | | watchful eye over the pet owners home by not |
| some odd to many, it is actually a very | | | | only caring for their animals but also |
| lucrative industry. The home-based & | | | | watering their plants, maintaining their |
| commercial pet sitting industries are | | | | aquarium, performing security checks, or |
| literally exploding in popularity in the U.S. | | | | mowing their lawn. In addition, you can |
| and abroad. | | | | arrange for doggie-day-care outings and |
| | | | arrange for dogs to play in the parks. You |
| Currently, pet sitting businesses are one of | | | | can also provide taxi services to the |
| the easiest, less riskiest & most profitable | | | | veterinary appointments and grooming visits, |
| businesses to start as there are no | | | | and also deliver pet food to homes & other |
| substantial costs to look after pets. Over 40 | | | | places. |
| million U.S. households own at least one dog, | | | | |
| and Americans spend over $34 Billion a year | | | | Before the first year is out, a home based |
| caring for their animals. In addition, over | | | | business could pull $100k USD income, while a |
| 47 Million U.S. households own more than one | | | | commercial pet sitting service at a public |
| pet. | | | | location can generate up to $500k USD and |
| | | | more. |
| The statistics and market trends speak for | | | | |
| themselves. The fact is owning a home-based | | | | You are ultimately the one that determines |
| or commercial pet sitting service can | | | | how much money you'll make in the business as |
| generate anywhere from several thousand to | | | | you'll be the one that attracts clients. |
| several hundred thousand dollars in | | | | |
| additional income, regardless of which region | | | | If you take an active approach, you will soon |
| or country you reside in. | | | | learn that owning and operating a pet sitting |
| | | | business can be extremely profitable. |
| There is a fast-growing trend, not only in | | | | |
| the U.S., but Canada, and other countries to | | | | If you are a little apprehensive about diving |
| find a loving, caring pet sitting service in | | | | into this kind of business because you don't |
| their area, and in most cases, price isn't | | | | know how to attract new clientele, do not |
| much of a factor. Many surveys have been | | | | worry. Start-Up costs for this business is |
| conducted, and pet owners are choosing | | | | minimal to non-existent using various forms |
| independent pet sitting services over the | | | | of advertising, including: |
| mainstream kennel. | | | | |
| | | | 1.) Listing your Business in the Yellow |
| Think about it? Why would a pet owner drop | | | | Pages, 2.) Distributing Flyers in the mail or |
| their little companion off at a kennel where | | | | door-to-door at places of businesses or |
| they are caged for most of the day, while | | | | residential areas, 3.) Community T.V. |
| they are off at work or on vacation. A pet | | | | Bulletin Boards, 4.) and Web Sites which you |
| that is not cared for equally as it is | | | | can develop for FREE plus many others. |
| accustomed to, whether it be for a day or | | | | |
| several days can impose a damaging | | | | From Internet Advertising, to Radio & T.V. |
| psychological effect. | | | | Pay-Per-Lead Programs, to Direct & |
| | | | Co-Operative Coupon Mailings, we can honestly |
| For about the same price, more or less, a pet | | | | say that it will be easy to find new clients |
| owner can look to Magazines, Newspapers, | | | | as demand is high. |
| Direct Mailings or the Yellow Pages where | | | | |
| they can bring their pet to a loving, caring | | | | As far as hard costs go, there really is |
| place such as a home pet sitting service. Not | | | | none, except Pet Food and maybe a few special |
| a jail cell. | | | | leashes. |
| | | | |
| As a pet sitting business owner, referrals | | | | As a pet sitting business owner, you will |
| will come gradually in a concerted manner. | | | | need to learn the business inside and out, |
| The most difficult part during the start-up | | | | including day to day operations, marketing |
| phase of this kind of business is finding the | | | | techniques, the skills you need to know for |
| first five to ten clients. After that, the | | | | short and long term success, avoiding costly |
| client referral snowball will begin as your | | | | mistakes, zoning issues "for commercial |
| clients will refer others to your business | | | | businesses", essential resources, etc... |
| and pretty soon, you'll need to hired help to | | | | |
| take care of all of the pets. | | | | If you've been looking to start your own |
| | | | business, and be your own boss, with a |
| Please keep in mind, that there are numerous | | | | minimal risk and virtually no startup costs, |
| types of services you can provide, such as | | | | with a potential to earn six-figures a year |
| visiting the owners home to take pets for | | | | doing what you love, then a pet sitting |
| walks when they are absent, or by keeping a | | | | business may be just for you. |