pet sitting | APSE Association of Pet Sitting Excellence

When Your Pet Sitting Side Job Becomes Full Time
Posted October 22, 2011 By Joshua in Pet Sitters With | No Comments

This is a guest post written by Ashley Spade.

I used to make a fair amount of money pet sitting for friends, but as a law student I don’t have time to commit more than a few weekends a year to my friends’ animals.

However, I’ve learned over the years that pet sitting can be a lucrative and enjoyable venture.

The following pet sitting advice will serve you well whether you have a one-person business or an operation large enough to use payroll software for your employees.

Service Agreements (Know your Limits)

One of the most important things you need to determine as a pet sitter is what services you’ll provide. For instance, I love cats and dogs and have even taken care of fish, but I don’t want to take care of snakes or lizards.

If you’re a solo practitioner, you can obviously make your own rules about what jobs you do and do not take. Starting a business can be quite the undertaking, but it can be worthwhile as long as you’re not faced with working for a pet sitting service that refuses no pet.
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9 SEO Tools Every Pet Sitter Must Use
Posted July 22, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Sitters With | 2 Comments

When it comes to marketing your pet sitting business, one of the best ways to approach the subject is by focusing on your pet sitting website.

I’m sure you know by now that I am all about using your website as the core of your marketing strategy.

I’ve been able to build a successful website that generates 99% of our business and I understand a lot of this can be confusing, stressful and frustrating.

One of our goals at APSE is to help as many of our members succeed by simply improving their websites.

And I’m thrilled to read all the success stories so far. On that note, I present 9 free online tools you can use right now to help with your website SEO and marketing efforts.

Take some time to explore and understand the various tools. Each will help a separate important factor in your hunt for search engine domination!
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More Than Just Dog Walking – Many Pet Sitters Also Offer Dog Adventures and Hikes
Posted July 21, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Owners With | 1 Comment
You are no doubt familiar with the daily walking services offered by most pet sitting services that provide a way for your dogs to get out for some regular exercise and a midday break.

But did you know that some pet sitters also offer fun dog adventures such as hikes and swimming excursions. These type of trips usually last 2-3 hours and give dogs a strenuous work out – in fact some services even provide these activities as part of a fitness training program for your dog!

Some of the benefits of getting your pooch involved in these trips other than the exercise are:
- Socialization – adventure trips usually involve several dogs that are taken together so your dog gets to spend some quality to with canine companions.
- Fun – your dog gets to explore new places and get involved in activities that normally they may not be exposed to.
- Mental stimulation – many of these trips also engage the dogs in training such as agility or water games so that your dog comes home mentally and physically tired. This may aid in combatting any behavior issues arising from boredom in your home.
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Boarding A Dog? Consider This Before Leaving Your Dog Behind
Posted July 20, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Owners With | 1 Comment

Quick: When you hear the term ‘boarding a dog’ what comes to mind?

Most likely, you’ll think of a kennel, boarding house, vet’s office or other caged environment that watches many dogs at once.

Did you know that boarding a dog can be more personal, humane and attentive than it once was?

It’s true. Many dog owners may not realize that professional pet sitters offer cage-free dog boarding in their home while you are away.

So, picture this: Instead of leaving your dog in a caged or otherwise stressful environment, consider calling your local professional pet sitter who will take your furry family member into their home.
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Pet Sitting Report Card – Everything You Need To Know
Posted July 19, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Sitters With | No Comments

What is a pet sitting report card?

A pet sitting report card can take many forms but is essentially a tool that a pet sitter uses to communicate to the pet owner exactly what happened at the pet sitting visit.

The report card is generally a hand written message left for the client at the end of the visit but these days may also take the form of a text message, an email, a blog post, or a text message that includes a photo of the pets.

It’s very important to use some type of pet sitting report card for your clients because it confirms for the client that you were at their home when you said that you would be and did what you agreed to do.

One of the most common client complaints is that the pet sitter either did not spend enough time visiting the pet, or did not arrive at all for the visit. If there is physical evidence in the form of a note in their home from you their sitter that documents that you were there and what you did while you were there, this will immediately dispel these fears and make them more comfortable using your service.
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What Pet Sitters Can Learn From Google
Posted July 18, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Sitters With | 1 Comment

Google recently came out with a video called “Meet the Doodlers.”

If you don’t yet know, the Google Doodle refers to periodic variations on the Google logo that, as they put it, makes searching on Google more fun and enjoyable for its users.

Wow, right?

It’s just a web search, yet the search giant considers ways to make it more fun and enjoyable for us!

Understand what’s going on here: It’s no accident that Google is miles ahead of its competition. This isn’t to suggest the their doodle approach alone is the reason for that but it’s certainly part of their attitude and worldwide appeal.
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Overnight Pet Sitting | 9 Pet Sitters Explain It All For You
Posted July 16, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Owners With | 2 Comments

Overnight pet sitting can be a real treat for any dog or cat. Think about it: No animal likes to be left alone for an extended period of time – even if their food and water dish are filled to the brim.

Pets are social animals and overnight pet sitting provides real comfort to your dog or cat through the night when you are away.

As APSE member Pamela Ranheim puts it, the benefits of overnight service is that the pets will have someone with them all night. This really allows them to stay as close to their routine as when the owners are home.

There will also be someone in the home which adds a level of added security. For dogs that have separation issues, elderly pets or pets with health issues it really makes a big difference.
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How Much Should I Pay A Dog Sitter?
Posted July 15, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Owners With | No Comments
“How much should I pay a dog sitter?” is a very common question, and one we have the answer to!

Even though the amount you should pay someone to care for your pets is a tough question to answer.

You have many options when it comes to hiring a dog sitter.

You could:
- Organize a friend or neighbor to check in on your pets
- Hire a neighborhood teenager looking for a way to make a little extra money
- Or place them in the care of a pet sitting professional.
It’s important to note that just like everything in life, when you hire someone to care for your furry family members you often get what you pay for.
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Take Time to Plan Pet Sitting Business Success
Posted July 13, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Sitters With | No Comments

Do you struggle to find time to do everything you know you should be doing to market your pet sitting business?

This may seem counter intuitive – but taking some time to step away from the business each week to plan ahead will actually save you time and help you get more done.

Planning will also take the pressure off you during the week. You’ll spend less time worrying about what you should be doing and you will make more effective use of the time you have.

Reserve a specific block of time each week where you can step away from running your pet sitting business and plan your marketing activities for the week. Tell family your plan so that you won’t be disturbed and can focus on your plan.
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House Pet Sitter | The Importance of a Skilled Professional Pet Sitter
Posted July 12, 2010 By Joshua in Pet Owners With | 1 Comment

Most pet owners can attest to the fact that a professional pet sitter is much more than someone who pops over every now and again to let Sparky out the back door, or change Fluffy’s water.

Look beyond the responsibility to the pet and you see the great need for a competent house pet sitter.

A pet sitter’s responsibility is vast. She is hired to not only look after your furry loved ones, but is also responsible for keeping your house, property and belongings safe, secure and in tact.
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