Pet Sitting Business Plan How to Set up a Pet Sitting Business
Hello dear reader, if you are looking for relevant information regarding pet sitting business plan, you have come to the right place. Keep on reading ahead to get rid of all your doubts regarding this startup idea.
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Moving on with the current topic, let’s discuss the scope of this Pet Sitting Business. Let me tell you that starting your own pet sitting business can be quite rewarding for you if you are already an animal lover.
For starting this business comfortably, you will have to get all the permits and licenses for your area as well as the basic equipment. You will have to properly market your services to the clients.
If you are looking for a profitable business idea to sustain your living and are already an animal lover, then we suggest you to continue reading this article and find out on your own if you would like to do this job in the long run or not.
Start by making a Pet Sitting Business Plan
The first and the foremost thing you will have to do is decide what types of pets you will sit and where you are going to provide your services.
The pet sitting business mainly focuses on dogs and cats. From here, you can make the majority of your revenue. Also, decide in the beginning if you are going to pet sit out of your home or will you do it at the homes of your clients. You can also go for both the options depending on the circumstances and resource available with you
Do note that as a pet sitter, you will have to spend irregular hours on the job which includes nights as well as the weekends, as patrons plan travel and outgoing activities to enjoy holidays and engaged in parties and other entertainment and recreational activities and they need some one who can take care of their pets during this time.
Decide if you would like to stay at home or simply visit at scheduled hours to take care of your client’s pets. If your client turns out to be choosy, they might ask you for other basic services, such as watering the plants or bringing the mail in their absence.
Many people who have pets consider them as their own kids, so it is important to take this job very seriously and show them the right amount of love and care that they deserve.
Get the Necessary Permits and Licenses for Pet Sitting Business
You will get all the necessary information at your local business licensing offices and inquire about the necessary licenses and permits for your particular area. Complete all the paperwork very carefully and pay the required fees to make your business legal.
You can search online to find local business licensing offices and their contact information. Start by searching your local Chamber of Commerce as they take care of a number of licensing needs.
You can also offer boarding services for pets in your home but the amount of paperwork for you to complete will be higher in this case.
Step 3. Buy the Correct Insurance
You will definitely need liability insurance for yourself. It will turn out to be very relevant in the future. In case anything happens with the animals while they are in your care.
Look for insurance that covers the animals’ medical costs if an accident takes place or a repair costs if a clients’ home gets damaged in some way due to the mishap.
Step 4. Decide your Payment Method
What payment method you are going to accept is also an important decision that you should add in your pet sitting business plan in the beginning. Also, choose if you are going to charge by the hour or by the day.
The pricing will be based on the kind of animal, the number of pets you sit and the amount of time you will be spending with the animals. You can also factor in the amount of time you will be commuting to your clients’ homes.
Also, check out the pricing structures of other pet sitting businesses in your area to get a good idea of a normal rate and pricing structures.
Step 5. Get ready with your Equipment
To get started with any business, you will first need a reliable car or another vehicle if you are planning on making visits to the clients. Start with buying extra leashes, toys, emergency medical supplies and extra food.
The clients will be providing you with everything in need, along with proper instructions how to take care of the pets. It is always a good idea to have backup supplies ready just in case.
Step 6. Name your Business Properly
You should choose something unique that best describes your business. You must pick a suitable name for your business that can be easily memorable but avoid at all cost cliche names.
You would also want a unique name so that you stand out from other businesses that your competitors might have. This can also help your business name to get find out easily in the online platforms.
Step 7. Adopt a good Marketing Strategy
Start by creating a website that could lists your services, relevant rates and your contact info. There are a lot of free hosting sites that offers templates that might be useful for you.
Choose a proper template and add all the relevant info about your pet sitting business. You can also customize it by adding relevant images to get started with your business.
It is equally important to have a professional-looking website for a pet sitting business so that the potential clients can trust that is a legal and reliable business.
Step 8. Create your presence on Popular Social Media Channels
You can create pages for your pet sitting business and try to keep the handles and URLs the same so that your Internet presence is easy to find. You can use these pages to share relevant information about your services.
Go for social media to look for potential clients by following pet-related pages or groups and interacting with other followers and members.
Step 9. Make relevant Business Cards
Business cards and flyers are also a must for you to advertise your business offline. Design proper flyers so that you can advertise your services and rates.
Always make sure to make some business cards with your contact info to keep with you at all times.
Step 10. Establish Network with Vet and Pet Groomers
You can ask around at other pet-related businesses to see if they will let you leave flyers and cards to advertise your services. You can try to make friends with business owners so that they can help you spread the word about your pet sitting business.
Some Additional Tips:
- You can create client contracts that state services, prices, and other agreements.
- You can hold interviews with potential clients and pets.
- Stay organized throughout and keep up with all the administrative work.
- Be reliable and be prepared with a backup plans.
- Hire employees when you find your schedule too tight.
There are still many things that you have to understand about pet sitting business plan but these were some of the basic points that you have to understand for now.
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