There are some people who have an absolutely undying love for animals! And I don’t mean the kind of love that is only limited to snuggles and play times. Owning a pet requires a lot of love, the kind where you don’t mind putting in hours of work. For most, it’s for companionship. For many, it’s for healing. But for some, it’s a job! Want to earn cash while doing what you love? Try Pet Sitting today.
Pet sitting has been the go-to job for heavy pet lovers. And if you are one of them, here’s how you can join.
What is Pet Sitting?
Pet sitting - just like baby sitting - is a service where you are hired to look after the client’s pet when they are away from home. Taking care of the pets include not only feeding them but also to play with them. Apart from the regular necessary duties, some clients would also make specific requests that you have to honour as well. Specific food types, daily walk in the park, scheduled play time are all examples of requests that the client might ask. The pay is dependent on how much you set the price to be and how much they are willing to pay.
In terms of location, you’ll be spending your time in the client’s house. One of the many benefits of pet sitting is that the pet would be less anxious. Since the pet remains in its familiar territory, the chances of anxiety is low. It also saves the travel trouble for both you and the pet.
How Do I Sign Up To Be A Pet Sitter?
There are many websites offering a place for you to be their pet sitters. One of the international brand is PetBacker. PetBacker offers a variety of services when it comes to pets. If pet sitting is not for you, you can sign up for other services as well such as pet boarding.
Apart from PetBacker, here are also a list of other websites that you can sign up for;
- Rover.com
- Wag!
- Petme
- Pawshake
- Tailster
What Do I Need To Start Pet Sitting?
Pet sitting comes with its responsibilities. And it can get nerve wrecking especially since you are looking after another person’s pet. But with that right tools, it can not only be easy, but also fun! Here are 8 tips on what you need to have and do when pet sitting.
1. Knowledge!
Having prior experience of owning a pet would definitely make a world of difference. If you have no experience with pets before, it is generally not recommended signing up as a pet sitter. But, you can start by taking care of your friend’s pets! If you are new to this, helping your friends for free would be the best and quickest way to gain experience.
Some people offer their services to a wide array of species, from reptiles to dogs and cats. This is thanks to their previous years of owning these animals. If you are new, make sure that you specify which species you are most comfortable to look after.
In any case, knowledge is king! Having experience means you have a certain amount of knowledge about how to take care of animals. This would give the ease of mind that every owner would look for when requesting for a pet sitter. With this said, make sure that you yourself is well-equipped about the dos and don'ts before jumping into the job. Also be clear about your decision to join and make sure that it isn’t just an impulsive jump of desire! Though it is fun, and you can earn money out of it, another person’s pet is under your care. And that comes with a big burden of responsibility.
2. Meet Before Hand
Before the appointment date, set up a separate appointment before that! Meeting the pet beforehand could give it a chance to be more comfortable around you. This would also give you a chance to catch a glimpse on the pet’s behavior which can be crucial in times of emergency. Seeing you interacting with their pet, the owners can feel more at ease too in leaving their pet in your hands.
Getting yourself familiarized with the location, surrounding and the pet itself can help prepare you for the worst. You’ll end up feeling more confident and ready to take on the job for the required duration!
3. Know The Pet
Certain pets require very specific needs and care beyond just feeding it at a specific time. Especially dogs or cats, some breeds are known to be high energy. This means that you would have to walk or play with them for a longer duration of time. Knowing the pet well and its specific needs can better prepare you to provide for the pet. You would also have a clear picture of what is to expect from the pet.
Financially, you can also increase the charges for certain breeds due to their special needs. High energy breeds for instance can allow you to increase the charge since you are also required to increase your energy and attention span. Of course, the price has to be reasonable. But knowing the pet well could give you the opportunity to earn more!
4. Communicate
It is absolutely normal for the owners to be worried when away. With this said, reassuring the owners during the time of your stay will also be part of your job scope. You would need to have really good communication skills to let the owners feel at ease.
Some things you can do is to consistently text the owners and keep them updated. Send them pictures and videos as well. It is always better to keep them updated before they themselves ask you for the update! As owners, all they need to know is that their pet is well-taken care of. And your communication is the only way to reassure that.
Sometimes, they might even ask for a video call to check on their pets, especially if it’s a dog or a cat. Be sure also to text the owners immediately if any emergency arises. It is better that they know about it immediately than having the information delayed.
5. Know Your Limits
Looking after a pet can be overwhelming. Plus the fact that some owners require additional requests to be made. With this said, it is crucial to know where your limits are. If the owner requested for something that you cannot provide for, be upfront about it. Addressing your limits and managing the owner’s expectations are key in bringing satisfaction to your service.
Don’t accept the request on a heartbeat but carefully think of you can truly fulfil it. Knowing your own limits is the first most crucial step in making sure that you do a good job. If you are unsure of your own limitations, things might get out of your control when the pet sitting starts getting hectic.
Some owners also expect you to perform secondary household chores. Don’t be surprised if you are asked to collect mails or watering the plants. It all depends on the owner, and it all comes down to your decision. Coming clear about what you can or cannot do will set up a clear picture. This can give the owner an ease of heart.
With this said, it’s best to write down clearly your own limits, so you can stick by them. Especially if you are unsure, writing your limits and boundaries down can help you to map out your final decision.
6. Emergency Plans
Animals are always unexpected. You have to map out all possibilities and be prepared of the worst. The first step to prevent any unwanted circumstance is to ask the owners if their pet has any health complications. And if they, ask how severe it is and what should you expect or do if something were to happen. Also identify the nearest vets available in that area.
Unless it is time for walks, try to keep the pets away from going outside. Better be safe than sorry! Apart from health complications, there are many other things to be concerned about. The pet running away, sustaining an injury or falling ill are some examples of said concerns. It is best to keep the pet in doors to prevent any unnecessary trouble.
7. Expand Your Network
Though you should ask the owners if you need something, you also wouldn’t want to bother the owners for every single little thing. This might create unnecessary doubt in the owners. It’s only an invitation for unnecessary trouble. With this said, having your own network can be really helpful! Get in touch with other Pet Sitters, especially experienced ones.
There may come a situation where even the owners themselves wouldn’t know what to do. So having your own network of friends within the job field will really come in handy for tricky situations.
8. Confident
Last but not least, be confident! The only way to ease the mind of the owners is if you are confident about what you are doing. Of course, the confidence shouldn’t be one that is baseless. Once you are well-equipped and know the dos and don'ts, your confidence would come.
It might be harder for beginners but the more that you do it, the easier it becomes. A doubtful and unsure pet sitter would only cause worry in the owners. You might even accidentally cause unnecessary troubles from the doubts and overthinking. So just be confident! And if you are not, then do your research and prepare yourself.
