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The idea began as a 4-H project but soon morphed into a successful endeavor. Our girls were ten and twelve when they started their little business: The Pet-Sitting Sisters. They offered pet visits in people’s homes (for up to a half-hour). They fed and cared for the pets, cleaned up after them, and took dogs for walks. (We did not offer boarding services in our home, although many people asked about this.) Over the years, the requests became more varied and they cared not only for dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, hermit crabs, and a turtle; but also for horses, sheep, ducks, and chickens. When our oldest daughter left for college, our son stepped-up. The business was renamed the Pet-Sitting Siblings. I’ve considered the challenges and the benefits below. It was a good first job for all three of our kids.
I soon realized that this could develop into a full-time family business if we wanted it to (which we didn’t). Through word of mouth, the little enterprise had quickly grown. There was a time when I think I could recall more pet names than people names in our neighborhood!
Since then, I have noticed that pet-sitting has become a marketed profession, and I can understand why. Pets are like family. Sending a beloved dog off to a kennel can trigger anxiety for both the owner and the pet. Not to mention the substantial cost of boarding. But with our busy lifestyles, fewer people are around during the day. So it can be hard to find a neighbor willing to take on this task. Pet-sitting in a client’s home is a valuable service.
The Challenges for Our Family
1. It gets gross. Enough said.
2. The glamour sometimes wore off.
Caring for a pet that wasn’t a “favorite” was a chore. Sometimes my kids accepted jobs simply because they were paid, and not because they loved it (a good learning experience).
3. It required a commitment on our part, as parents.
Unless the visit was right next door, my husband or I almost always went with our kids. We were not comfortable having them go by themselves into other people’s homes. We also helped our kids learn how to be responsible caregivers. Additionally, we made sure we were following tax regulations regarding our children’s income.
4. The demand was frequently during the holidays or at inconvenient times.
We didn’t travel much, so we were typically available. However, it can be ruff to decide if pet-pampering visits are acceptable interruptions on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.
Summertime visits at 6:30 in the morning were not fun. We would have preferred to sleep in. We provided four visits a day for one family while they went on a cruise. Four visits a day meant no other commitments for more than a few hours at a time. It was a looong ten days.
5. There were inherent risks and unexpected circumstances.
We love our neighbor’s dog, Jake, who knows us well. But he would stop eating when his family was away for too long. A grandparent now stays with him when his “people” go on vacation. Poor Jake was too anxious to eat when no one was home.
We also realized that it’s a considerable responsibility to be locking up someone’s home while they’re away. We checked and double-checked that doors were locked, and garage doors were closed.
Once, in the dead of winter, a pipe froze in a neighbor’s basement. At another home, we left a closet door open, and our furry friend got into things he shouldn’t have. That same dog ran right through the screen of a door—when he gleefully realized his owners had returned.
We’ve also chased a dog, that was chasing a rabbit, through our neighborhood. She somehow twisted out of her collar. I’m sure we were a sight-to-see. Thankfully, we were able to corner her. She was “in the doghouse” that night!
If you have a dog, or you’re looking for a gift for a dog-owner, consider a no-choke harness! A harness is so much more pleasant for the dog. They can be redirected without being choked. They are also less likely to wiggle out of it chasing rabbits. (Your pet-sitter will appreciate this!)
The Benefits for Our Family
1. Our girls discovered the power of marketing.
They strategically passed out adorable (handmade) business cards during our city-wide garage sale day. We stayed in the neighborhoods that were close to ours, and the girls met their first clients. They were in business and they had their first job!
2. They recognized the importance of communication.
Initially, it was a lot of work for me to help facilitate communication with clients (before our kids had cell phones.) But eventually, the girls handled arrangements on their own.
Once we knew a customer well, the girls simply scheduled a time with them to complete the pet-sitting request form. (Here is our Pet-Sitting Request Form as an example.) This gave us permission to enter the home and care for the pet. It also asked for important details such as feeding times. The girls then added the pet-sitting schedule to our family calendar. At each visit, they kept running notes about how things were going. Then, at the last visit, they left a simple invoice.
3. It was a great excuse to get some exercise.
My husband and daughter loved walking dogs. Even a brisk outing in the wintertime was enjoyable. I’m not sure who had more fun: the dog, the dad, or the daughter! Pets are good for our well-being.
4. We made new friends (furry and not-so-furry).
We still receive a Christmas gift from one of our clients-even though she has moved to another town and her dog, Snuggles, has passed away. Many of the pets, and their owners, came to be near and dear to our hearts.
There are lines in our neighbor’s yard, where the grass is worn down, and the dirt shows through. The lines lead to us. Sweet Sully is a golden retriever who is a regular visitor at the gate between our yards. My son spends many happy moments talking to his furry friend.
Similarly, Jake notifies us when he is out for a walk and nearby. He howls as he approaches our yard. His nose once appeared at our back door while we were studying at the kitchen table. He had escaped his leash and stopped to say “hi.”
5. Our kids more fully appreciated the value of a dollar and the value of a commitment.
They looked forward to payday and made plans for how they would spend, save, or give the cash. But sometimes they had to say “no” to fun with friends because of a pet-sitting commitment.
6. We had our “pet-fix” without owning a pet.
It’s similar to grandparents who say they love having grandkids visit—and then sending them home. We soaked up all the delight of having a pet, without the long-term responsibilities.
My husband carries dog biscuits in his coat pockets, and my son spends his own money on cat treats. We don’t have a cat or a dog, but almost every family on our street does!
7. Pet-sitting helped us consider the obligations of pet ownership.
We’ve met families with so many pets that they struggled to properly care for them. With vet expenses, behavior issues, and parents that work over-time; things can quickly get out-of-hand.
One dog we cared for was kenneled for the vast majority of the day. Three other dogs each got too old to walk. Until we had cared for a pet in these circumstances, we hadn’t contemplated these challenges.
Purr-fessional Policies
Initially, we woefully undercharged at $3 per visit (although the kids were paid extra almost every time). Here in the Midwest, I would suggest charging at least $5, or up to $10 per visit. What does it cost for someone to kennel a pet in your area? Consider that and set your fees lower. Keep in mind that pets can pick up kennel cough, and the experience can be anxiety-provoking (besides being expensive!). While pet-sitting is a valuable service, you’re not providing all-day care like that of a boarding kennel.
It’s important to keep the travel radius small. Time is valuable, and twenty minutes of driving is twenty minutes of your day (plus the cost of gas). Additionally, I think it’s safer to work for clients that are neighbors, or who know your neighbors. If you live in town, it should be easy to find clients within a few blocks of your home.
Also, consider limiting your availability to certain hours. We didn’t schedule visits during the school day, even though we had flexibility with homeschooling. It’s hard to say “no,” but the job needs to be practical for your family. Our pet-sitting visits were primarily on weekends, during the holidays, and in the summertime when families were vacationing.
A Paw-sitive Experience
I think pet-sitting can be a good first job—when kids are eager to have a “real” job but too young to work on their own. For us, the little business was worth the big effort. I do wish I had known more about what to expect, so I hope you find this information useful.
Pet-sitting can offer terrific learning opportunities for kids working along-side their parents. First, consider all of the challenges as well as the benefits of pet-sitting. Then discuss marketing strategies, the paperwork, and the policies that need to be in place. Lastly, look forward to making some new furry (and not-so-furry) friends!