Pet Care Is a Booming Business, and Now’s Your Chance to Get Started

A quick look around the dog park on any Saturday afternoon, and you will quickly see that people love their pets. But, what do they do with these adorable animals when they must go on vacation, on a business trip, or be away at work  for a long day? They call in a pet sitter.

That’s where you come in.

There are many reasons that becoming a pet sitter or dog walker makes sense, especially now. During the pandemic, more Americans than ever brought new furry friends into their home. Pet sitting is not only a great source of income, but it’s also a great opportunity to allow your own pets social time. Dawn of Pet Sitter Frederick has a Maltese named Bella that loves the company just as much as she does.

Getting Started

Starting any new business takes a bit of legwork in the beginning. If you’re not yet sure what exactly you’d like to do, pet sitting is a great starting point, and it allows you to play with animals, go for walks, and even transport sick and injured pets to the doctor when their owners are away. Once you have decided on the type of business you’d like to start, spend some time looking at the rules and regulations in your location. It’s also a smart idea to invest in general liability insurance as well as licensing and bonding.

When you’re launching a new business, you’ll also need to ensure that you get your administrative tasks streamlined before you start taking on customers. This should include taking the time to create customized invoices and establishing a social media presence.

Your invoicing procedure will give professional credibility to your company, it also helps you get paid quickly and if you use the right processing software, you’ll be able to take many different payment methods. Look for an invoicing template to get your invoice together quickly and easily with your business name, branding materials, and clearly defined payment terms.

When it’s time to create your social media accounts, you’ll want to have, at minimum, a Facebook, Instagram, and Google My Business. Each of these should have information about your company and share photos of what you do. ASPCA Pet Insurance shares how to take the best pet pictures without the red glowing eyes that can otherwise throw off the perfect portrait.

Other Business Ideas

If pet sitting isn’t in the cards, such as if you rent an apartment and can’t bring animals home, then you aren’t out of luck. There are lots of ways that you can get in on the business (and puppy snuggle) action. A few of these include:

• Mobile grooming. We all want our pets to look their best, and many people are willing to pay $70-$100 or more to give their pooch a pampering. You do not need a formal education to become a dog groomer in Maryland, but Vocational Training HQ says it can help you further your career.

• Online pet product store. Pet products are big business, too. If you have a creative eye and want to provide pets with the very best, consider launching an online store with your very own pet product designs. You might, for example, laser engrave leather dog collars or use the vinyl to customize pet food bowls.

• Dog training. The American Kennel Club explains that becoming a dog trainer starts by working with your own dog. You can then apprentice with other people’s pets and then get dog trainer certification.

As you can see, there are many different ways to make a living doing what you love and the animal industry. Getting started isn’t always easy, but once you have your business idea defined and your invoicing and social media presence down pat, then you have a solid foundation to start a brand-new career.

Pet Sitter Frederick offers loving, attentive care to your canine or kitty companion with rates starting at just $20 for a pet pitstop, you won’t find a better value in Frederick, Maryland.