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by Leah and Elina Furman
Published June 23, 1997
read more Small Business Brainstorms
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Animal lovers, listen up! Entrepreneurs with a soft spot for furry creatures are a lucky lot. Getting paid to feed and play with other people's pets, what could be better? Besides the obvious perks of never having to wear a suit and absolutely no human supervision, there's the matter of very low start-up costs. A pet-sitting service can easily be started right out of your own back yard, and you can bring in substantial currency as your reputation and customer base grows.
We all like to go on vacation every now and then. For some of us, it's a simple process pack up and go but for poor Fluffy, the issue is fraught with controversy. Pet owners understand their charges' concern, and are almost always grappling with the horns of a major dilemma; what to do with the dog, cat, or python, as the case may be. Dropping Fifi off at a friend's is too much of an imposition, but the kennel is so impersonal, it's downright cruel.
That's where you come in. Not only will you be providing care for the pet, you can also water the plants and get the mail. But since trust is of paramount importance, just you leave that disco ball where you found it. That's right, while the customers are away the pet-sitters will not play. The peace of mind your service has to offer will keep your clients coming back time and time again. So get out your pooper scooper, and get ready to make a pretty profit sitting pets.
Raking in the Dough
On average, a pet sitting service can expect to bring in a pretax net profit of $52,000. But that's just for starters; some pet sitting service businesses report profits of $110,00 to $200,000 annually. You may have to contend with a few difficult critters now and again, but what's a few barking canines when we're talking this kind of money?
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A thrifty capitalist could do much worse than this small stakes/high profit venture.
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Start-Up Costs and Financing:
Here's the best part of all; pet sitting services can be started for virtually nothing. You can even house the entire operation under your own roof, saving yourself tons of cash. The whole kit and caboodle can be set up on a measly $500. Some business owners report a start-up cost of $4,000 or even $5,000. But even at the high end of the start-up spectrum, a thrifty capitalist could do much worse than this small stakes/high profit venture.
Market Research:
While it's true that pet owners abound, you're still better off researching the local market before opening for business. Are there a lot of young, single professionals residing in the area? What about the about the well-to-do? These groups tend to log on more frequent flyer miles than any other, and are bound to spawn more potential patrons than you'll know what to do with. You should also keep an eye out for competition. Check out the local yellow pages and call up any contenders. Ask them about what kind of services they offer, which kinds of pets they sit for, and what territorial region their services cover. A robust interrogation may get you thinking about how to differentiate yourself in the marketplace, or reveal that all competition is null and void.
Trade Associations:
Registering for membership with one of these associations can considerably boost your business. Besides serving as referral services and resource centers, they will provide access to inexpensive insurance plans and offer discounts on certain products and services.
- American Pet Sitting Club: 61 S. Division St., New Rochelle, NY 10805.
- National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS): 1200 G St. NW, Ste. 760, Washington, DC 20005. 202-393-3317
- Pet Sitters International: 418 E. King St., King, NC 27201. 910-983-9222
License and Insurance:
You don't have to be a vet to succeed in this biz, but you will have to have some familiarity with the basics of pet care. You'll also have to look into obtaining a standard business license and various permits, as well as meeting certain tax requirements. If the home-based route is for you, check with a professional about city zoning laws before stocking up on plastic cushion covers.
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Insurance is top dog among issues in the pet industry.
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Insurance is top dog among issues in the pet industry. Forget the weak humor, and concentrate on the scary side of animal care for a moment not all pets are friendly to strangers. That's where a reliable insurance salesperson comes in. You'll need bonding and liability insurance, as well as automobile insurance that covers you while transporting pets for business purposes.
Finally, don't even think about saving money on lawyer's fees by drafting up the client-pet sitter agreement yourself. In case something goes horribly wrong, you'll need the added protection that only a well thought-out contract can offer. You shouldn't be held accountable for every little problem that arises, so protect yourself and your business by drawing up an air-tight contract.
Equip Yourself:
The beauty of the pet-sitting business is that it requires very little space and only the most basic equipment for operation. Anyone with a spare room can start a sitting service. Mandatory office equipment includes an office chair, desk, fax machine, two-line phone, filing cabinet, and possibly even a computer system to maintain a client data base. Since you will have many appointments to keep and a good deal of tooling around to do, invest in a few local maps and a scheduling aid. And don't forget the pet supplies; you'll need a pet carrier, a first-aid kit, and an extra leash.
Franchise Opportunities:
- Critter Care, Inc.: 2251 Drusilla Ln., Ste. B, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. 504-923-1144
- Pet Nanny: 1000 Long Blvd. #9, Lansing, MI 48911. 517-694-4400
- Pet-Tenders International, Inc.: PO Box 23622, San Diego, CA 92193. 619-298-3033
Services and Prices:
Determining which services you'll be providing to customers and what you will charge is your next step. In addition to pet care, some pet sitters offer the deluxe home maintenance package; bringing in the mail, starting the client's car once a day, collecting newspapers, and watering the plants. Your rates will depend on the services you provide.
When setting prices, keep geographic considerations in mind. Calculate the total amount of gas expended for each trip and figure that expense into your total bill. It may seem like a drop in the bucket, but drip, drip, drip before you know, it you're dry.
You should also factor in the number of pets per household. The more pets, the merrier your pocket book. Twenty bucks is the going average rate per call, but it's always a good idea to check out where the competition stands. And don't forget to ask about the services being provided when getting the cash breakdown. Sure, you're providing a humanitarian service, but that's as far as your resemblance to non-profit goes. You can't survive on applause, even if you are willing to jump through hoops for your customers.
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WEB RESOURCES:
U.S. Small Business Administration Online
A terrific resource with information about the Small Business Act, tips on starting and financing your business, local resources, and much more.
Pet-Sitters Yellow Pages
Research services other pet-sitters offer and the prices they charge.
Pet-Sitter Start-Up Kit
This company offers a kit with forms and tutorials to get you started.
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Getting the Word Out:
Your first couple of self-employed years will see a large portion of time spent in the pursuit of advertising and promotion. Once your customers are hooked and feel that you can be relied upon, you'll have enough business to last you a lifetime. There's no need to invest your life savings into a marketing campaign. Get your creative juices flowing, and you'll be surprised at how quickly the word will spread. Your first goal is to get as much free press as you can. Leaving your business cards or posting flyers at your local veterinarians' offices, pet grooming salons, and pet shops will get you noticed by pet owners all over the county.
Another great way to generate business is to write up a press release about your company. You'll want to make it as newsworthy as possible. Create a press release that reads like a newspaper article, citing the popularity of pet-sitting services. Local newspapers and radio stations will be more likely to feature your release free of charge if the promotional aspects are toned down. Don't offer special deals or discounts; save that pitch for when you've got prospective clients on the line.
If you have a few shekels to invest in marketing, consider renting bench space at local parks for your advertisement. Since parks are piled high with people walking their pets, this marketing strategy may be the soundest initial investment you can make.
Read All About It:
- Pet Sitting for Profit: A Complete Manual for Professional Success; Howell Book House/Macmillan, 1991.
- The Professional Pet Sitter: Your Guide to Starting and Operating a Successful Service; Paws-itive Press, 1994.
Leah and Elina Furman are freelance writers living in Chicago, and are the authors of The Everything After College Book, to be released by Adams Media in the fall of '97. Leah and Elina invite readers to visit their homepage at members.tripod.com/~ElinaF.
© 1997 Leah Furman and Elina Furman. All rights reserved.
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