This startup guide focuses on Pet sitting Business. The
job of a pet sitter is to care for animals in the absence of the owners.
The amount of effort and financial reward depends on many
factors. Some are the duration of the sitting contract, type of animal and
labor costs. Although pet sitting isn’t seasonal there are top periods when
sitters make lots of money.
Favorite season for the pet sitters are during holidays,
celebrations and summer vacations. And owners who tend to leave their pets for
longer periods.
Other functions of a pet sitter are grooming, feeding and
veterinary services. Other services are feces management and litter changing.
The sitters provide exercise and recreational activities
for pets. Common pets handled by sitters are dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and
amphibians.
The business is not proliferated so there is lots of room
for new entrepreneurs. Among add on services a common practice is dog walking.
Pet sitting is fast becoming a specialized enterprise
opening the door for niche sectors like kennels and animal hotels. Many upward
mobile individuals prefer hiring a qualified sitter to take care of their pet.
The average amount a pet sitter charges depends on the
added services. Starting a pet sitting service is profitable, rewarding with
low startup capital. Here are steps to get your pet sitting business up and
running.
Write
a Business Planning
Although the business does not require huge funds you
still need to plan your business. First
define what services or animal care your business offers.
Analyze your
market base to have a clear picture of your customers. And study the market
potential in your immediate community.
Are there many pet
sitting agencies in your locality? Remember too many cooks in a kitchen spoils
the meal.
You need to define
what added benefits and services to provide. How about pricing, are your prices
competitive enough to make profit.
Also develop good relationship with animal lovers in your
community. Develop a powerful marketing campaign to reach potential clients.
You don’t have to break the bank to create an excellent
marketing campaign. Build awareness, use proper pricing and network with
associations, vets and animal shelters.
Develop a good backup plan for emergencies and create a
practical work schedule. Don’t forget high quality equipment like kennels, dog
chains, bowls, dog soap and brushes.
Pet owners are very particular about who they hand their
beloved pets. Showcase your qualifications, image and credentials to build
trust.
Business
Name
A good business name immediately conveys what your
company is about. Don’t over flog the name make it simple interesting and
memorable.
Every country has its own rules and regulations guiding
animal care. Some countries have stringent rules while others have lax or non
existing rules. Find out what is obtainable in your country or locality.
Generally small pet sitting jobs around your neighborhood
requires no licensing to operate. Join trade associations in your area for
advice and support. Some offer soft loans to members and legal representation.
Prepare
a Service Contract
A service contract highlights the tasks you performed
while pet sitting. The client needs to see proof of added value since animals
can neither talk nor complain.
The paper work includes cost of service, types of service
and hourly rates. To avoid undue disagreements collect payment upfront from new
clients. You also need insurance cover on workplace accidents
How to
Determine your Rates
There are a few factors to consider before arriving at a
price. Uniformity in price does not work because the added services requirement
of clients defer.
To arrive at a holistic price factor the type of animal,
and danger level. A small Chihuahua is easier to handle than a Rottweiler or
pet python.
Factor added services like healthcare, feeding and litter
changing. Other things that add to pricing are duration of care, and number of
animals.
Go Online
No business is complete without an online presence. Build
a website as a marketing tool to reach more customers. The website offers
visibility and a 24h marketing platform. Because your services are location
based target your site to your community.
Use a good website developer to build an attractive site.
Use the site to showcase your products and service including your mission
statement and message.
Without optimizing your website your visibility will be
low. You can add a blog to write quality content, and use search engine
optimization methods.
Try advertisement using Google Adwords and Facebook
adverts for a wider reach. Do you know you can even make money on your site
through advertisement networks or advertisement placement?
Your
clients
As a rule, try to meet your clients and the pet before
taking the contract. Follow up with customers, seek feedback and hire help when
needed. Look the part show competence and offer reasonable prices.
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