Pet sitting

[milos_mommy]

I think my thread on this got eaten in the great Chaz mess.

Those of you who petsit, do you have an actual business, or just do it off-the-books, out of your home?

Do you do petsit in your home, in their home, or either?

Do you also do training, or daily walks?

Are you insured or licensed? What would happen if a dog got injured/sick in your care?

How have you found clients? Word of mouth, fliers, business cards? Which worked best? If you did use word of mouth, how did you originally find clients?


Also, anyone who leaves your dog with a petsitter or has a petsitter come to your home, can you answer those questions about the service you use? How did you hear about it, are they insured, etc?

 

[Lizmo]

Those of you who petsit, do you have an actual business, or just do it off-the-books, out of your home?

I'm not a licensed business, but it's definitely not done off the books, so to speak. I keep a record of when I care for the animals, how long, etc.


Do you do petsit in your home, in their home, or either?

In the animals home. Never mine.


Do you also do training, or daily walks?

I will do whatever the owner wants. Some dogs I've known since they were puppies so I train with them some just because I also helped with that when they were young.


Are you insured or licensed? What would happen if a dog got injured/sick in your care?

No. I don't have *that* many clients beyond everyday friends. It is starting to grow so I might have to change that soon, though.

I know the animals vet and I also know my vet very well. Some of the clients use my vet, too.


How have you found clients? Word of mouth, fliers, business cards? Which worked best? If you did use word of mouth, how did you originally find clients?

Word of mouth. I recently got business cards and I leave a few (along with other promo freebies) after a job is done.

 

[PWCorgi]

I have only done one job since moving to Minnesota, I did it a ton in PA and honestly, I'd not prefer to do it on a regular basis again. I only did it this once because the person asked, and that's how I will continue to do it. No advertising.

Those of you who petsit, do you have an actual business, or just do it off-the-books, out of your home?
It's off the books, I don't pay taxes on it. :yikes:

Do you do petsit in your home, in their home, or either?
Their home.

Do you also do training, or daily walks?
I usually work with the dog on stupid tricks out of boredom. Same with walks.

Are you insured or licensed? What would happen if a dog got injured/sick in your care?
Nope. I always made sure that I had emergency contact people for the house and for the dog's emergencies.

How have you found clients? Word of mouth, fliers, business cards? Which worked best? If you did use word of mouth, how did you originally find clients?
In PA the "trainer" that I worked with when I was younger asked me to dogsit for her when she was at dogs shows, then when people in her class asked about dogsitters, she recommended me. I ended up with like 20 different clients and was scheduled months in advance, but I never had weekends to myself! In MN, my boss asked me to dogsit for her when they went on vacation.


Also, anyone who leaves your dog with a petsitter or has a petsitter come to your home, can you answer those questions about the service you use? How did you hear about it, are they insured, etc?
If I ever have to go anywhere I'm going to be begging Megan to take Frodo. I wouldn't ever be able to just look someone up in the yellow pages with Frodo.

 

[*blackrose]

I just do it off the books, through word of mouth kind of thing.

We will sometimes pet sit out of our house, but with the amount of pets we have (and the fact that they aren't friendly right off the bat with strange animals) makes that difficult at times unless it is a puppy and/or a "farm dog" that can be kept outside in a kennel. I typically do house visits for neighbors/friends and have stayed overnight for friends before as well.

No training, but I've never been asked. I'm up for whatever the owner would like to me do, basically.

Not insured or licensed, but if I ever wanted to do it for more than just an occasional buck I would probably look in to it. I make sure I have emergency contact information for the owners and discuss ahead of time that if something were to happen to their dog what steps they want me to take - if they have a vet in the area/if I could take it to my vet/etc. Since they're all friends/family/neighbors I've never had them sign anything, but if I were to start watching complete strangers animals I would probably want a signed form by them stating they give me the right to treat for any medical problems and that they will pay for said treatment. Sort of like the form we use for dogs that are dropped off for boarding at the clinic.

I originally put out fliers around the neighborhood, but now I go by mostly word of mouth. But again, I don't do this as a huge money making thing...just to help some people out by doing what I enjoy doing and making a bit of money.

I think my thread on this got eaten in the great Chaz mess.

Those of you who petsit, do you have an actual business, or just do it off-the-books, out of your home?

Do you do petsit in your home, in their home, or either?

Do you also do training, or daily walks?

Are you insured or licensed? What would happen if a dog got injured/sick in your care?

How have you found clients? Word of mouth, fliers, business cards? Which worked best? If you did use word of mouth, how did you originally find clients?


Also, anyone who leaves your dog with a petsitter or has a petsitter come to your home, can you answer those questions about the service you use? How did you hear about it, are they insured, etc?

 

[SpringerLover]

Those of you who petsit, do you have an actual business, or just do it off-the-books, out of your home?
Off the books, in my home.

Do you do petsit in your home, in their home, or either?
Occasionally I will go to someone's house but with animals of my own, it's just not convenient.

Do you also do training, or daily walks?
I train them because I can. I enjoy it, it gives them something to do. I try not to teach them behaviors the owner wouldn't like...

Are you insured or licensed? What would happen if a dog got injured/sick in your care?
Nope! I would take the dog to work with me.

How have you found clients? Word of mouth, fliers, business cards? Which worked best? If you did use word of mouth, how did you originally find clients?
Word of mouth. I'm picky about who I will watch, because I have that luxury. It is not my primary income.

When I go out of town, my good friend with a greyhound watches Buzz and I just always hope my mom's around to watch Bailey and my cats.

 

[SpringerLover]

If I ever have to go anywhere I'm going to be begging Megan to take Frodo. I wouldn't ever be able to just look someone up in the yellow pages with Frodo.

I will absolutely take Frodo. I'm just hoping we'll be LIVING together by then...

 

[PWCorgi]

I will absolutely take Frodo. I'm just hoping we'll be LIVING together by then...

True story bra! Then you'll HAVE to watch him muahahaa!