Questions about pet sitters/sitting (boxer, poop, vets, barking)

[resiska]

Hi everybody -

I was wondering why a person would choose pet sitting over boarding at a kennel or at a veterinarian?

I am a pet sitter looking for clientele and I would like to know how to attract more pet owners to the idea of using a pet sitter or farm sitter. Though I have quite a few years of experience managing and caring for others animals, I don't feel as if people would take me seriously. Is there a better I can portray myself than I have done in my website: Moderator cut: no advertising Thanks for the help if you give any,

Laura Pinell
ETPS

[DawnMTL]

Hi Laura,

The number one reason for me: Keeping my dog in HIS own environment.

It's so stressful for a dog to be (a) out of his environment, in a strange place; (b) surrounded by people he doesn't know; (c) surrounded by other animals that he doesn't know; etc... I could go on and on.

When I go out of town, I have someone stay in my house with my dog. My dog doesn't like many people but he LOVES her. The fact that he gets to stay in *his* house, even if I'm not there, is a perfect situation for him. (He was boarded once -- long story; there was no choice -- and he came home with laryngitis from barking so much, and his perky tail was down between his legs for a week. He was an absolute mess until he realized that he was REALLY home.)

[chicagomichauds]

Originally Posted by DandJ

Hi Laura,

The number one reason for me: Keeping my dog in HIS own environment.

It's so stressful for a dog to be (a) out of his environment, in a strange place; (b) surrounded by people he doesn't know; (c) surrounded by other animals that he doesn't know; etc... I could go on and on.

When I go out of town, I have someone stay in my house with my dog. My dog doesn't like many people but he LOVES her. The fact that he gets to stay in *his* house, even if I'm not there, is a perfect situation for him. (He was boarded once -- long story; there was no choice -- and he came home with laryngitis from barking so much, and his perky tail was down between his legs for a week. He was an absolute mess until he realized that he was REALLY home.)

Keeping him at home is also my number one reason for using a pet sitter. I've seen the effects of using both with my previous dog, and with the sitter, it's as if we never left home! He was always very relaxed, excited to see us but calm overall. With boarding him, not only was he completely stressed when we picked him up, but he also caught kennel cough, in spite of his vaccination against it.

[Fontucky]

Resiska, do you pet sit at your place or at the pet's house?

[jordan5]

We have used our pet sitter for the past 5 years now. When we first got our lab, we boarded her once and she came back so upset and confused we decided against boarding her again. Then we got a boxer mix from our SPCA and she was the type of dog who got so upset being left in a strange environment...she was so upset at the shelter, that boarding was never an option. Now with our new puppy, we'll either use a pet sitter or we're lucky that my parents are HUGE dog lovers (the other 2 dogs I spoke of live with them)..so our new pup will probably stay with them if we go away anywhere...but back to the pet sitter we use, when we first started, she met with the dogs 2 or 3 times (about an hour each time) so they grew accustomed to her and we knew she was good with them. So I would say that is most important..having the dogs in their environment so that they are comfortable and reassuring the owners that the dogs trust and get along with you by doing an initial visit or something..good luck!

[steelstress]

I'm looking for pet-sitter, and the local service will do other things besides take care of your pets. They bring in the mail/paper, water plants, poop-scoop the yard/house, open/close drapes and turn off/on lights so my place appears occupied. They also have employees experienced with small/exotic animals (have dogs and rats).

I prefer a sitter because my dogs aren't exactly social butterflies with other animals and people. One is just a one-person dog (I'm that person) who takes a while to warm up to a regular visitor, my other dog has special needs (blind,deaf), who is painfully shy and requires a special diet. They would NOT do well in boarding or even doggie daycare.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by resiska

Hi everybody -

I was wondering why a person would choose pet sitting over boarding at a kennel or at a veterinarian?

I am a pet sitter looking for clientele and I would like to know how to attract more pet owners to the idea of using a pet sitter or farm sitter. Though I have quite a few years of experience managing and caring for others animals, I don't feel as if people would take me seriously. Is there a better I can portray myself than I have done in my website: East Tennessee Pet Sitters ?

Thanks for the help if you give any,

Laura Pinell
ETPS

Laura,

My husband is a pet and plant sitter as well as home watcher and does pretty well considering what he expected to get out of his little business. Here are ways he has added to his business: 1-he joined the small business Association in town, he is active in church, for starters. He has put ads up at the local grocery stores and has a web site. What he tells people: it is better for your pets if you can keep them in a familiar enviornment..plus while caring for your pets I am watching over your home, whether I visit once a day, twice a day or stay over nights. Another thing, make sure you keep your rates at a level where it is less expensive to use a pet sitter than to actually board the animals.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by steelstress

I'm looking for pet-sitter, and the local service will do other things besides take care of your pets. They bring in the mail/paper, water plants, poop-scoop the yard/house, open/close drapes and turn off/on lights so my place appears occupied. They also have employees experienced with small/exotic animals (have dogs and rats).

I prefer a sitter because my dogs aren't exactly social butterflies with other animals and people. One is just a one-person dog (I'm that person) who takes a while to warm up to a regular visitor, my other dog has special needs (blind,deaf), who is painfully shy and requires a special diet. They would NOT do well in boarding or even doggie daycare.

This is exactly what my husband does, and I think most good pet sitters. OF course the one thing he tells people who are considering doing this for a side job, you absolutely have to love animals because the sense right away who does really love them.

Nita

[Driller1]

We live so far out in the sticks we have to board the dogs if we go away.

They like where they board. In fact, when we get there they are all happy.

One thing I love is the kennel has a video hook up. I can see the dogs any time I would like. Or, I can see a general scan of the kennel.

Even if they are out in the runs I can hit their cage number and view three.

[Bookmen]

It's interesting that you don't think people will not take you seriously. Maybe it's not a part of the culture where you are, but everyone I know uses a pet sitter rather than a kennel, and I think most people rely on word-of-mouth for choosing a sitter. No one wants to leave a pet with an untested "stranger."

The website will only get you minimum business, but you can personalize it a bit by adding some testimonials from customers. Even if you haven't done pet sitting for them, they will know your character and how you relate to animals.

Also, you can offer an introductory, no obligation "meet and greet" for potential customers to get to know you.

Are there places where people regularly walk their dogs or a dog park where you can meet folks and pass out flyers?

Do you know vets who will recommend you?

Once you get a core of satisfied customers, the business will take off. With that in mind, consider a lower introductory rate perhaps.