Dog Community

Any pet sitters/walkers here??

Posted : 3/11/2007 3:26:19 PM

I have been working as a pet sitter/walker for almost a year. I would like to "swap" stories and ideas with others. Anybody out there???????

badrap

Posted : 3/11/2007 3:53:49 PM

actually, i have a question for YOU[

]... how did you get started in the biz? how did you drum up clients? how do you manage a schedule? is this your only job?

i'm sort of wanting to try something like it myself, although i think the market in dallas might be flooded.

forpaws

Posted : 3/11/2007 6:49:40 PM

I am a pet sitter and walker as well as wild life rehaber, rescue worker as well. Keeps me busy 24/7.

My veterinarian got me started by taking care of his pets for two weeks and that is how it started.
PMail me for more information if either of you would like too.

Angel

willowchow

Posted : 3/11/2007 6:54:57 PM

I'm in my 2nd year with my pet sitting business. I work pretty steady with it but also at this point still work another job. But, could expand and do it as my only job if I wanted to.

Lori

ruby007

Posted : 3/11/2007 7:08:12 PM

I work mostly afternoons for the corporate clients. Those who leave early in the AM and arrive home late in the evening. I could work full time doing petsitting but I still maintain a job as a teachers aide in a local school. The school job is steady income with benefits so I really dont want to let it go just yet. As far as clients, word of mouth, groomers and vets all are good ways to start. I might add that I do work for someone and I also have jobs/clients of my own. There is a big market for this service especially with folks who work all day and those that do not want to kennel their animals when they go away.

forpaws

Posted : 3/12/2007 7:35:08 AM

I've been doing this for about ten years now. I fill in the spots with training, making dog treats and cat treats, fancy collars, for both cats and dogs, and other arts and crafts geared towards pets. In addition to this, I trained Dylan to be a tracking dog, for lost pets. I also help people find their lost pets.
Besides doing rescue work and volunteering at my vet's office in the OR. I also doin kennel work for certain clients who show dogs, so their for I take care of their pets and their boarding clients. Durring the summer months, I only take very well socialized pets to the beach for a fun filled day to wear them out once a week. So my whole life is geared around animals. Mostly word of mouth, however I do have some business cards in places that request them so they can hand them out to clients if their facility is over booked and cannot take their clients pets in for the week or weekend.
I find this job to be the most forfilling job. Don't get me wrong it can also be very frustrating when dealing with the public. And when one of my little charges passes away it affects me greatly. I treat all my clients pets as if they were mine. It is not an easy job and your weekends are not your own for the most part. Neither are holidays. So if you are thinking of getting into something like this, you have to add into the factor that YOU may not be able to ever really have a vacation. But I prefer it that way. I would rather be surrounded by my fur friends and help them than go off some place looking like a tourist. LOL

ruby007

Posted : 3/12/2007 9:33:08 AM

I agree, I have the best job in the world and think I am so lucky. I love meeting new pets. Meeting their needs is my pleasure.

ShelterDogs

Posted : 8/22/2008 1:18:28 PM

forpaws
I've been doing this for about ten years now. I fill in the spots with training, making dog treats and cat treats, fancy collars, for both cats and dogs, and other arts and crafts geared towards pets. In addition to this, I trained Dylan to be a tracking dog, for lost pets. I also help people find their lost pets.
Besides doing rescue work and volunteering at my vet's office in the OR. I also doin kennel work for certain clients who show dogs, so their for I take care of their pets and their boarding clients. Durring the summer months, I only take very well socialized pets to the beach for a fun filled day to wear them out once a week. So my whole life is geared around animals. Mostly word of mouth, however I do have some business cards in places that request them so they can hand them out to clients if their facility is over booked and cannot take their clients pets in for the week or weekend.
I find this job to be the most forfilling job. Don't get me wrong it can also be very frustrating when dealing with the public. And when one of my little charges passes away it affects me greatly. I treat all my clients pets as if they were mine. It is not an easy job and your weekends are not your own for the most part. Neither are holidays. So if you are thinking of getting into something like this, you have to add into the factor that YOU may not be able to ever really have a vacation. But I prefer it that way. I would rather be surrounded by my fur friends and help them than go off some place looking like a tourist. LOL

Damn here I am searching old threads on "dog walkers" and "pet sitters" because I want to start offering my services as a Dog Walker... only to find out I'll never be able to go on vacation! This doesn't sound like fun! Can't you just refer your clients to a reliable contact of yours while you're away?

willowchow

Posted : 8/22/2008 2:19:18 PM

ShelterDogs
Can't you just refer your clients to a reliable contact of yours while you're away?

You can but you also run the risk of then losing that client to the other person.

sl2crmeg

Posted : 8/23/2008 12:21:34 PM

willowchow
ShelterDogs
Can't you just refer your clients to a reliable contact of yours while you're away?

You can but you also run the risk of then losing that client to the other person.

The company I work for has a staff of four or so, with one big boss. We have a LOT of clients though :)

willowchow

Posted : 8/23/2008 8:47:19 PM

sl2crmeg
The company I work for has a staff of four or so, with one big boss. We have a LOT of clients though :)

That's a little different, that's using a different person from the same company--ie big boss still has the client and the income. If you work alone and want to go away and have someone else do the clients for you, you run the risk that they will then want to stay with that person. I haven't had it happen but I've had it happen where I helped out someone in a pinch and then a couple of the clients preferred me and wanted me to take them on--which I wouldn't/couldn't do.