Do you love animals? Are you an experienced pet owner? If so, starting a pet sitting business may be the perfect opportunity for you! In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about starting your own pet sitting business.
Here are 7 simple steps to help you create your own pet sitting business. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Form Your Business Entity
Step 2: Get Insured
Step 3: Price Your Services
Step 4: Get The Word Out
Step 5: Obtain Contracts from Customers
Step 6: Develop Internal Processes
Step 7: Handle Accounting Like a Boss
Step 1: Form Your Business Entity
The first step to starting any business is to form a legal entity.
This will protect you from liability and help you secure funding. There are several options for business entities, including:
- LLCs
- Sole proprietorships
- Partnerships
- Corporations
Consult an attorney or accountant to decide which structure is right for your pet sitting business. This first step is essential to making sure your business is legitimate.
Step 2: Get Insured
Now that your business is legal, you need to protect it with insurance.
The pet sitting business is an excellent opportunity for those who love animals. It can be rewarding to help care for pets while their owners are away.
It is important to remember that there are risks associated with this type of business. Pets may get sick or injured, and property could be damaged. It is helpful to understand issues to be aware of such as:
- Animal first aid
- CPR
- Behavioral problems,
- Health concerns
However, this does not fully prevent the risk of accident or injury. This could be costly to your business, especially if this occurs while the pet is under your care. Therefore, it is crucial that you have pet insurance if you want to start a pet sitting business. Try finding quality info online before you get started like this cat dental checklist.
Some examples of pet insurance include:
- Veterinarian expense reimbursement coverage
- Animal bailee insurance
- Lost key insurance
- Personal and advertising injury insurance
As of 2021, the number of pets insured was 3.45 million. That number is only increasing, with an average growth rate per year of nearly 24%.
Step 3: Price Your Services
When pricing your pet sitting services, it is important to consider what you are offering and how much work is involved. Here are 5 pet business ideas to get you started on thinking what services to offer. Some factors you may want to consider include the following:
- The number of pets you will be caring for
- The size of the home or yard where the pets will be staying
- The distance you will be traveling to care for the pets
- Any special needs the pets may have
As a general rule, most pet sitters charge by the visit. This means that you will be billed for a certain number of visits each day, regardless of how long each visit lasts. This can be a good option for those with small yards or who live close to their clients.
If you are caring for pets in a large home or travelling a significant distance, you may want to consider charging by the hour instead. This will ensure that you are compensated fairly for your time and effort.
Whatever pricing structure you choose, be sure to communicate it clearly to your clients up front. This will help avoid any confusion or misunderstandings down the road.
Step 4: Get The Word Out
Getting the word out is one of the most important aspects of starting any business. For a pet sitting business, this means advertising your services in different ways, such as:
- Online with a great website
- Business Cards
- Local newspapers
- Word-of-mouth.
- Flyers
Make sure you have catchy advertising slogans and an effective marketing campaign to reel in potential customers. The more people who know about your business, the more successful you’re likely to be!
Step 5: Obtain Contracts from Customers
Once you have an interested customer, it’s essential to get them to sign a contract to ensure that both parties are on the same page.
A contract should include:
- Details about the specific services being provided
- Fees required for all services
- Any pertinent information between you and the customer.
- Details regarding liability insurance for both you and the customer
By securing customer contracts, you can ensure that your pet sitting business runs smoothly and that both customers and pets are happy with the service.
Step 6: Develop Internal Processes
Developing internal processes is an important step in creating your pet sitting business. Here are some examples of internal processes that will be helpful:
- Booking appointments
- Keeping track of client information
- Handling payments
- Handling cancellations and no-shows
Step 7: Handle Accounting Like a Boss
It’s crucial to keep track of your income and expenses so you can stay profitable. There are a few different ways you can handle accounting for your business. You can:
- Use a spreadsheet to track income and expenses
- Use a software program like QuickBooks or FreshBooks
- Hire an accountant
So how do most pet sitters handle their accounting?
- A recent PSI study found that 52% of pet sitters chose to do their own accounting, with some pet sitters citing their reason being previous accounting experience
- While 48% chose to hire an accountant because it is easier to manage, to support other small businesses, and because it saves time.
Based on this data, it is important to choose a method that suits your particular needs within your business.
Wrapping It Up
Starting a pet sitting business can be rewarding and profitable to become your own boss. You can get your business up and running quickly by following these steps!
Do you have any tips for starting a pet-sitting business? Share them in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to start a pet sitting business?
There is no set cost to starting a pet sitting business, but there are some general expenses you will likely incur. These may include marketing and advertising costs, equipment and supplies, and membership fees for professional organizations. You could feasibly start your own pet sitting business for under $500.
2. What are the requirements to start a pet sitting business?
The requirements to start a pet sitting business vary by state, so be sure to check with your local government agency for specific requirements. Generally, you will need to register your business as a sole proprietorship or limited liability company, and you may also need to obtain a business license and/or insurance.
3. What should I include in my business plan?
Your business plan should outline your business goals, strategies for achieving those goals, and an estimate of the associated costs. It should also include a section on your target market and how you plan to reach them.
4. What kind of training do I need?
There is no specific training required to start a pet sitting business, but it is advisable to have some experience working with animals. You may want to consider taking courses in animal behavior or first aid for pets.
5. Can I run my pet sitting business from my home?
Yes, you can run your pet sitting business from your home as long as you have adequate space for housing animals and meet any zoning requirements. Be sure to consult with your local municipality about any applicable regulations.
