In-home pet care and house-sitting is a booming business.
There are many pet owners not comfortable leaving their finned, feathered or furry friends in a loud, uncomfortable kennel or at someone else's home while they take a vacation or travel for business. Worrisome hounds, panicky Persians and feather-plucking parrots are often more relaxed and better behaved in their own environments while their human companions are out of town. In-home pet care and house-sitting is a growing and profitable service industry. With quality customer service, liability insurance and a lot of love, you can develop your own successful pet-sitting business today.
Instructions
Establishing a Clientele
1. Investing in insurance when you establish your business could save you money in the long run.
Buy personal liability insurance to cover yourself while you are in someone else's home. Not only does the insurance protect you in the case of an accident, it also gives your clients peace of mind by showing them you are serious about caring for their pets.
2. Professional-looking business cards keep your name in your clients' minds.
Purchase business cards with your business name and contact information. On the card, include the fact that you are insured. If you have extra start-up money, get magnet business cards so your clients can put your card on their refrigerators for quick reference.
3. Establish online presence with a website or social-media page.
Establish a website or social-networking page to get your name out to the general public; keep the page updated and helpful. Also, purchase Internet advertisements. word-of-mouth advertising is great, but Internet advertising expands your pet-sitting businesses reach. Also place ads in your local newspapers and any other print publications that offer a relatively low-cost way to raise public awareness about your business.
Meeting the Client
4. Meeting clients for the first time is the same as a job interview; dress accordingly.
Dress professionally when meeting your clients. Keep in mind you will have access to their homes when they are not there. Establishing trust, with a professional demeanor, is crucial.
5. Update your notes each time you are scheduled to pet- or house-sit.
Keep up-to-date records about each client, notes Mike Ice, owner of Friend of a Friend Pet Care, of Lancaster, Pa. Records should include the pet's name, gender and age; client's name, phone number and emergency number; vet's name, number and address; pet's medications, feeding schedule, litter-cleaning schedule and special instructions. Carry the records with you each time you go to the client's home in case contact information or instructions change. When the client sees you are meticulous, you will establish more trust -- and return business.
6. Taking on extra tasks while the clients take a vacation can increase your marketability.
Find out if there are any extras you can do for clients while they are away---bring in mail, water plants, cut grass and shovel snow. Go the extra mile for your client and you will be her No. 1 contact for pet-sitting needs.
7. Give your clients an estimate of your charges.
Establish payment guidelines immediately, whether you wish to be paid per visit, per day, per week and whether premiums are charged for medications or overnight visits. This way, there's no confusion when clients get home and take out their checkbooks -- and it ensures you get paid on time.
8. If you meet the pets while their owners are home, there will be less anxiety the first time you visit on your own.
Plan a pre-visit with your clients and pets so you can learn the house layout; see where the pets sleep and eat; and note where leashes, dishes and medications are kept. Get to know the pets while the clients are home, so when you visit the first time on your own, you will not be a stranger.
On the Job
9. Calling your clients mid-week gives them peace of mind.
Check in with your clients during their time away if you have been instructed to do so. Knowing you are "on the job" while they are away is comforting.
10. Clients often leave additional instructions before leaving.
Follow the clients' guidelines completely; and respect their privacy and their property. Leave their homes in as good of, or better, shape than when you got there.
11. Clients like to have their keys back quickly after a vacation.
When your clients return, get their keys back as quickly as possible. It gives you a chance to pick up your payment quickly.
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