Are you an animal lover? If so, you is perhaps fascinated by learning how one can earn a living as a pet sitter.
Working as a pet sitter will be an incredible strategy to earn some more money, and in lots of cases it might probably be a low-maintenance side hustle.
In this text, learn what a pet sitter does, how they do their job, and more as you select if working as a pet sitter is correct for you.
What is a pet sitter?
A pet sitter is someone who takes care of their clients’ pets after they should not available. Some people hire pet sitters for a day, a weekend, per week, or longer.
As a pet sitter, it’s possible you’ll look after the pets of people who find themselves at work and don’t need their pets to be alone for hours. You may also handle a pet when its owner is away at work or on vacation.
Pet sitters typically work as independent contractors. This signifies that you might be self-employed and subsequently must keep track of income, expenses, mileage and other details that include running a business.
What does a pet sitter do?
Working as a pet sitter will be certainly one of many great side hustles, especially when you are an animal lover. Depending on the style of pet, a pet sitter takes on different tasks.
When you’re employed as a pet sitter, it’s possible you’ll tackle tasks resembling:
- Dogs walking
- Playing with cats
- Clean cat litter boxes
- Doggy clean up
- feeding animals
- Clean reptile cages
- Administering medication to animals
In general, just spend time together with your clients’ pets. You can select whether you should look after the pets at your private home or within the animal’s home.
You can make a choice from short-term and long-term pet care jobs. Pet care is a job that requires quite a lot of responsibility, but will also be fun.
If you’re employed as a pet sitter, it is necessary to know that you’ll likely have access to the pet owner’s home.
They provides you with a key or access code so you possibly can are available and out to care to your pet. This a part of pet care comes with an extra responsibility.
It is subsequently vital that you simply leave the home locked as securely as you found it. Additionally, it is advisable regulate keys or other items belonging to the homeowner.
How does a pet sitter get work?
Pet sitters find work in a wide range of ways. First, some firms deal with connecting pet sitters with customers.
There are also other options for working as a pet sitter. We’ll first talk concerning the firms that connect pet sitters with clients.
rover
Founded in 2011, Rover primarily serves cat and dog owners. However, they will also be tasked with caring for other animal species on Rover.
Pet owners with guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and more may gain advantage out of your services at Rover.
When you create a profile on Rover, you set your schedule, your pricing, and the services you offer.
Bookings are made via Rover. You also receives a commission through Rover, and it takes two days after completing the service to your money to reflect in your Rover account.
From there you possibly can transfer the cash you earn to your checking account. Rover charges a fee of 20-25% of your earnings. You keep 100% of all suggestions earned.
Learn more: Rover review
Paw shaking
Pawshake offers similar services to Rover, but relies in Canada and parts of Europe. With Pawshake you possibly can handle dogs, cats, many small animals and horses.
This is a change from Rover, which does not book horse sitters. Like Rover, you possibly can design your profile on Pawshake to point the hours and days you are available, your fees, and the sorts of pets you look after.
Paw shaking charges you a 19% fee in your earnings. You will receive your payout inside 8 days of completing your services.
Facebook community pages will be great places to supply pet care services. You can expect to make more cash by promoting and dealing for yourself.
You do not have to share profits with a service like Rover, so 100% of your earnings are yours.
However, it is necessary to do not forget that it is advisable understand the risks of working alone and never working with a service provider.
Services like Rover and Pawshake offer insurance, additional security and control measures, and more.
So when you work independently and advertise on Facebook, Craigslist, and similar sites, you must consider security measures, insurance, and other details.
Around your city
You may also advertise your pet sitting business in your city. You can create flyers and distribute them locally.
Or you possibly can post your pet sitting information on bulletin boards at local stores and restaurants.
Please note the insurance and security details listed above. Additionally, do not forget that when you own your personal business, you will need to maintain track of income, expenses, mileage, and more for tax filing purposes.
How much money does a pet sitter make?
The beauty of pet sitting is that you would be able to resolve the fees yourself. The fees you charge rely on several aspects:
- The services you provide
- The geographical area during which they live and serve
- Your popularity as a pet sitter
- What other pet sitters charge
And more. Indeed.com reports that the common salary of a pet sitter within the United States is $15.91 per hour.
If you search online, you will find that pet sitters who share their experiences often charge $20 an hour.
Of course, the more you construct a very good popularity as a pet sitter, the more you possibly can charge.
Conversely, among the best ways to draw and retain repeat customers is to maintain your hourly rates reasonable and your service at a superb level.
Pet Sitter Costs
Yes, you possibly can earn a living as a pet sitter. However, there are some costs related to working as a pet sitter.
Among the prices you incur when owning a pet sitting business are the fees you pay whenever you create a profile on a site like Rover.
If you’re employed independently from a pet sitting service, you’ll likely must purchase liability insurance. There are also transport costs, e.g. B. Gasoline to your vehicle whenever you drive to customers.
Additionally, when you drive more, you’ll incur additional vehicle maintenance costs. You need more frequent oil changes, latest tires sooner, and more frequent vehicle inspections and maintenance.
Finally, there could also be operating costs, e.g. B. using Quickbooks for accounting. It’s vital to maintain track of those business expenses because you possibly can deduct them out of your tax return.
If you deduct business expenses and report your pet care income, you will likely pay less in annual taxes.
Pros and Cons of Pet Care
Advantages
- Set your schedule
- Select the services you desire to to supply
- Be your boss
- Work as much or as little as you wish
Disadvantages
- Pet care will be chaotic
- Business ownership requires additional work
often asked Questions
Is working as a pet sitter protected?
To stay protected as a pet sitter, the identical rules apply as for basic safety: let someone know where you might be going, whenever you will likely be back, and the way you possibly can be reached. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, it’s okay to show down a job.
What services should I offer as a pet sitter?
You resolve what services you offer as a pet sitter. Take care of dogs, cats or other animals in response to your comfort level.
Should I work for a service like Rover or work independently?
Some experienced pet sitters suggest starting out by working for a site like Rover after which branching out on your personal after constructing a solid client base.
It may make sense to work for a service provider first to grasp how the business works.
Who Should Work as a Pet Sitter?
Are you fascinated by working as a pet sitter? If you want animals, pet sitting may very well be an incredible part-time job or a complement to your side hustle.
However, to achieve success as a pet sitter, you not only must love animals, but you furthermore mght must take responsibility.
Being a successful pet sitter also includes maintaining a strict schedule, ensuring the protection of a pet’s home, and being aware of the pet’s physical condition.
Ultimately, to achieve success as a pet sitter, you will need to be self-sufficient and cozy running your corporation.
You have to be organized to maintain track of consumers, income, expenses, vehicle maintenance and mileage, amongst other facts.
Final thoughts
Working as a pet sitter takes work. But it might probably even be quite a lot of fun.
If you’re keen on animals, it’s like getting paid to spend time together with your furry friends! Just be responsible and reliable; Soon you’ll have a booming pet sitting business.
