Pet sitting isn't just for the 12-year-old kid down the street anymore -- it can become a solid business for the home-based entrepreneur.
Your clients might need you to stop in once a day because they work far from home and Wags needs a midday break and walk. Or, you might spend three weeks cleaning a family's cockatoo cage, playing with the two cats and feeding the fish while the owners are on a long vacation. For the people who pay you for your service, it's a much better alternative than boarding their pets.
You'll need to love animals to succeed in this business. You should also be comfortable handling more than just cats and dogs -- some clients might want you to care for their iguanas, macaws, snakes, toads or even hissing cockroaches.
It will take time to develop a solid client list, but, if you do a good job, you'll find many people relying on you time and time again. Start by advertising your services with door-to-door flyers, notices posted at area grocery stores, libraries and community centers or even with a small ad in the local newspaper.
Because you're entering and working in other people's homes, you'll need to be professionally bonded. Training and certification will also help you gain credibility and provide your clients with peace of mind. You can learn more about everything you need to know through the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (202-393-3317) or http://www.petsitters.org).
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