Put on your thinking cap and let's start a pet sitting business!

Pet Sitting Business: Basic Guidelines

Consider the following before opening a pet sitting business.

1. Training - just because you've taken care of a friend's Chihuahua or Bichon Frisé as a teen, it doesn't make you a dog care expert. With the numerous dog breeds out there, you may want to familiarize yourself with the different personalities of dogs; some are friendlier than others; some require more exercise than others. Be a voracious reader; keep a collection of books or encyclopedias that you can consult when the need arises.

2. Decide if you want your pet sitting business to be full time or part time. Pets need tender, loving care round the clock. If you can invest the time and effort and make it a labor of love, success comes more easily. Don't run a pet sitting business for the purpose of making extra money on the side. There is no price tag for commitment and care.

3. If you're planning on taking more than one pet at a time, check with your municipality if you're allowed to do this. You may have a large piece of land but your city's zoning laws prohibit a pet sitting business in your particular area. Your neighbours could complain and you might be endangering the health of others.

4. Do your homework. There must be other pet sitting business owners in your area. Find out discreetly how much they charge and what their fee structure is. You don't want to price yourself out of the competition. Speak to pet sitters about problems they've encountered and how they solved those problems.

5. Because certain dogs need regular exercise, visit the dog parks in your community and take note of their opening hours.

6. Have the right equipment! If you're taking in dogs only, you'll need to give some thought as to dog collars and leashes, food bowls, toys and treats. You may need a dog cage if you plan on taking them to the country.

7. When you advertise your pet sitting business, you may want to specify what pets you'll take, which breeds, and your price for each. You could charge an hourly fee or a fixed fee for the day. This is important because you wouldn't like to take on a pet of which you know nothing about. How many would take in say, a boa constrictor?

8. Learn how to spot a sick pet. This is for safety, health and personal liability issues. You may not want the pet owner to accuse you of neglect. This is why you may want to screen both pet and owner. Ask owners about the eccentricities of their pets and what you need to watch out for.

9. Some pet owners would rather have you come to their homes instead of dropping their pets off at your place. Decide if this is something you might consider doing during certain days of the week. Going to the pet owner's house might save you the trouble of fitting out your place. The only downside is it limits you as to the number of pets you'd like to care for in any given day.

10. Don't stop marketing your business. Even if you have enough pets on your hands, pet owners can be fickle or economic conditions may force them to forego pet sitting. Ask your customers to refer you to other customers. Leave your business cards in vets' offices.