Dog Community

Dog walking / Pet sitting?

Posted : 9/16/2008 1:20:56 AM

Anyways, I'm sure this topic has been discussed many a times, but please discuss it once more.. :o) How does one exactly *start* in this business. I've been thinking about it since I've already gotten three pet sitting plans (First one this end of the month is being discussed, unsure how she'll come to daycare with me but we'll figure it out, second is over the christmas week, and the third is four days over new years. ) So, especially with my ties with the daycare alot of people are asking around for pet sitters, not so much dog walkers cuz well, they are all daycare customers! (However, my post is about both!) So it could be profitable, of course. Because there is a big demand for it, and there is a lack of cheap quality dog walkers/pet sitters (which will now be referred to as: DW/PS!) out there. I already checked out some other DW/PS's websites.. and man they are expensive. 20+ for a simple 1 hr dog walk, and some even charging 50 bucks a night.

So what I was thinking was that I would start out pretty cheap (and a part-time DW), 10 bucks for 1 hr walk (group) and for a private walk that would be 15. Pet sitting I'm not really thinking about because right now it's more of a spontaneous thing when people casually ask me for references. Not really *seeking* jobs. This is all in the future.. since I'm scheming up financial plans for a care and what not, so really this is around 1.5 yrs away. However I think it's always best to plan ahead with everything. I already deal with strange dogs and their owners daily, however anything DW/PS specific that anyone would like to add would be awesome.. also..

Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Sienna? or .. what do you dog walkers out there use as a primary vehicle?

spiritsmom

Posted : 9/16/2008 1:02:06 PM

If you have to drive to people, you may want to consider higher prices. When you figure in gas and your time, you may find it costs you money. I am advertising lightly that i will do some pet sitting. there is a huge need around here, especially for someone who can do horses and all types of dogs. I had a horrible time finding pet sitters who were reliable, and now ours is almost completetly closing up because of gas prices. I suggested, stay open and charge more, everything else costs more, I would rather have the choice of a higher price than no sitter. I pay the vet $70 before he gets out of the truck, and $30 for the farrier if we are her only stop around here. I wish you the best of luck with your business. Julie

erica1989

Posted : 9/16/2008 3:15:58 PM

My 'fees' depend on the client. If I know the family, I do not charge as much - depending on their finacial situation. As a basis - I charge based on the number of dogs. Usually it's $15 a dog/night. I'm flexible, as this is not my sole source of income, just something I do on the side to 'help out'. I do not drive my sitting dogs anywhere, unless it's for an emergency (had to take two home for a possible hurricane last month). If I have to pick the dog up from the vet/groomer/etc. the family generally gives a bit more - because of gas. I do have a larger-jeep like car - a Chevy Tracker. I love my car, but I would not get a car based on dogsitting....gas gets more expensive with a larger car (mine gets really good milage, thankfully).

I don't do just dog walking, only over night dog sitting. I walk the dogs frequently during the day, number of times depend on my schedule. I normally sleep at the houses, or the dogs come with me to my home, but that's up to the owners what they would prefer.

I have a dog sitting resume saved on my computer, which I had out to new clients. I do not seek out new clients, they come to me via word of mouth, friends, work, etc. The resume helps new families feel more at ease about leaving their pets. I've never had any call my references, but it's always there if they want to. I give them my cell phone number, work number and e-mail address, should they need to contact me at any point in time.

hope this helps some.......

brookcove

Posted : 9/16/2008 3:24:33 PM

I can fix your paragraphs problem, most likely. I have a MacBook too. If you are using Safari, you can't use most of the functions for this forum application. Try using Firefox instead. Though, I'm not sure - Firefox 3 is unstable in Mac.

erica1989

Posted : 9/16/2008 3:26:52 PM

would adding < br > (without the spaces) help?

ot.... sorry =]

Okami

Posted : 9/16/2008 11:14:12 PM

Thank you spiritsmom and erica. :)

testing

out

firefox...

woohoo!! And btw, using < br > (w/o spaces, of course) didn't work on Safari.

Thank you brookcove.