Do you wish to get free lodging in your subsequent trip? Or are you searching for methods to make additional money? Maybe you’re a digital nomad looking for methods to cut back housing prices. In that case, it’s time to discover ways to turn into a pet sitter.
Pet sitting permits you to receives a commission (in cash or lodging) in alternate for caring for cute animals. It’s actually a win-win state of affairs. With loads of gigs accessible globally, pet sitting is an effective way to journey.
I’ve pet sat around the globe; I spent every week taking care of a Husky combine in Glasgow, a month and a half with a Frenchie in Tokyo, just a few weeks with a rescue cat in Brussels, and weeks with a Saluki in Kobe. It’s by far my favourite approach to journey.
On this article, I’ll share the necessities to turn into a pet sitter, how yow will discover work, how a lot pet sitters receives a commission, and extra.
What’s a Pet Sitter?
Firstly, earlier than we get into the best way to turn into a pet sitter, chances are you’ll be questioning what a pet sitter is, and what the distinction is between a pet sitter and a home sitter.
Pet sitters take care of somebody’s pet whereas they’re away. This often entails staying on the pet proprietor’s residence, however this isn’t all the time the case; it may well additionally embrace dropping in to examine on the pets, enjoying with them, checking the cat litter, or strolling the canines.
Pet sitting also can embrace letting the animals keep at your individual residence, however this requires a safe and secure set-up. Whatever the particulars, pet sitter duties usually contain offering the animals with security, meals, water, affection, and playtime.
In distinction, home sitters take care of somebody’s residence whereas they’re away; this nearly all the time includes staying on the property. Their duties can embrace caring for a pet, nevertheless it additionally consists of watering the vegetation, protecting issues clear, and taking care of the backyard.
I’ve expertise with each home sitting with a pet and pet sitting solely (the place I dropped in to examine on an animal). Each varieties of jobs have professionals and cons however the principle distinction is that though you get free lodging with home sitting, you’re extra prone to receives a commission as a pet sitter.
Now that we’ve established what pet sitters and home sitters are, let’s get into how one can begin pet sitting.
Necessities to Grow to be a Pet Sitter
In the event you’re questioning the best way to turn into a pet sitter with out a diploma, chances are you’ll be asking what certifications, programs, or expertise you want as a way to be up for the job.
Fortunately, most shoppers don’t require you to have any official pet sitting certifications or programs, nevertheless, there are some experiences and traits which might be important for thriving as a pet sitter, together with:
Expertise with Animal Care: With a purpose to safe pet sitting gigs, you will need to emphasize your previous experiences with pet care. This consists of feeding, strolling, cleansing, grooming, and enjoying with pets. In the event you’ve by no means owned any pets earlier than, you possibly can acquire some useful expertise by pet sitting in your mates or volunteering at an area veterinary clinic.
A Love for Animals: In the event you’re right here to be taught to be a pet sitter, I think about you have already got a robust love for animals! Pet homeowners like to see their pet sitters have a transparent and apparent affection for his or her beloved animals.
Accountable and Reliable: One of the vital traits that pet homeowners are searching for of their pet sitters is accountability. They’re leaving their valuable animals and residential within the care of a stranger, and so they want to have the ability to belief their pet sitters fully.
Versatile: With a purpose to work as a pet sitter, you need to be versatile. The pet proprietor could have a last-minute request or your in a single day pet sitting dates could get modified and even canceled and so flexibility is vital to thriving as a pet sitter.
Nice at Speaking: Pet homeowners love receiving frequent updates on how their beloved pets are doing, so being an ideal communicator is crucial. From private expertise, I discovered that pet homeowners particularly love receiving photographs of their cats enjoying or canines out on walks, because it exhibits that they’re having a good time and are blissful. Being a very good communicator can also be required if and when emergencies or issues come up.
(Elective) Pet Sitting Certification: Having a pet sitting certification undoubtedly isn’t a requirement. I’ve been pet sitting for years with out one. Nevertheless, it may well actually enhance your credibility as knowledgeable, so it’s nice for these critical a few profession in pet sitting. Some certifications embrace the NAPPS and the CPPS.
(Elective) Pet First Support Course: Whereas taking and passing a pet first support course isn’t important if you wish to work as a pet sitter, it’s an effective way to extend your credibility and reliability, which in return, could make it simpler to search out shoppers.
I pet sat for 2 years earlier than I acquired my pet first support certification, so don’t really feel pressured to get it straight away. That being mentioned, having the certification elevated my odds of securing new shoppers, and it made me extra snug with caring for pets with medical points.
Easy methods to Grow to be a Pet Sitter (5 Steps)
Now that we’ve gone over the necessities of turning into a pet sitter, let’s get into the 5 final steps on the best way to get your first pet sitting place.
These steps will show you how to safe new shoppers no matter whether or not you’re a brand new or skilled pet sitter. The following pointers have helped me get pet sitting gigs around the globe, together with constant canine sitting jobs in Vancouver and home sitting gigs in Japan.
I’ve each confidence that these steps will show you how to discover constant pet sitting jobs as effectively.
1. Be part of A number of Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Web sites
To begin with, as a way to discover pet sitting jobs regionally and around the globe, you need to be a part of a number of home/pet sitting web sites.
Fortunately, there are numerous web sites to select from. Some decisions embrace Trusted Housesitters (use this hyperlink to get 20% off), Nomador, MindMyHouse, Home Sitters America, Home Sitters Canada, and Home Carers. Try the following part to be taught extra about the very best pet sitting web sites.
Alternatively, should you’re questioning the best way to turn into a canine sitter in your individual metropolis, you possibly can search for native jobs on web sites reminiscent of Certainly, ZipRecruiter, and Rover.
Once I first began out as a pet sitter, I used to be primarily involved in discovering free lodging whereas touring. I solely used Trusted Housesitters to search out pet sitting gigs, and due to it being the most important pet sitting platform on-line, it was straightforward for me to search out alternatives.
Nevertheless, I discover that it’s simpler to search out paid pet sitting jobs regionally. General, it’s finest to make use of many alternative web sites to develop your choices. Click on right here to enroll with Trusted Housesitters and obtain 20% off the membership charge.
2. Create the Excellent Profile
When you’ve joined a pet sitting web site or two, it’s time to arrange the proper profile.
Before everything, be certain that your profile is well-written and error-free, as this can convey your professionalism. Nevertheless, don’t overlook to incorporate a bit persona.
Speak about your earlier pet care expertise, expertise, and why you’re involved in pet sitting. Embrace any testimonials or previous pet sitting evaluations (should you’re a complete beginner, get some references from mates or co-workers; see step 3!). And don’t overlook to incorporate some photographs of you with some cute animals.
Bear in mind to focus in your strengths. I all the time emphasize my expertise, accountability, and love for animals in my profile. In the event you’ve taken any pet first support programs or certifications, remember to spotlight them.
3. Safe Your References
Subsequent, it’s time to safe your references. That is a very powerful a part of getting began as a pet sitter, as having previous references, evaluations, and testimonials makes you appear extra reliable and reliable.
In the event you’re questioning the best way to turn into a pet sitter with none expertise, you possibly can all the time search for some native alternatives. Pet sit in your mates or household, discover native job postings, or supply to stroll your neighbor’s canine and easily ask the homeowners to jot down a evaluation afterward.
You can even ask for some character references from your mates, household, or employers. Once I first began pet sitting, I requested my previous boss to jot down me a reference to focus on my reliability and accountability.
General, no matter whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled pet sitter, it’s important to incorporate references and evaluations to construct belief with potential shoppers.
4. Discover and Apply for the Greatest Jobs
So, you’ve joined just a few pet sitting web sites, written a killer profile, and included your prime references. Now, it’s time to seek for your excellent pet sitting job.
Most home sitting web sites let you specify your search to locations, dates, size of keep, and species of animals. Many pet sitting web sites may also allow you to specify the kind of job, reminiscent of home sitting with pets, drop-in visits, or canine strolling.
After you’ve discovered and browse via some nice pet sitting job listings, it’s time to use to them. To take action, you’ll must ship the pet homeowners an enticing and informative software message.
Introduce your self, discuss their pets, spotlight your previous related expertise, and clarify why you’re the best selection for them. Be certain to ask some questions concerning the job itemizing (and particularly, their furry member of the family), and finish the message by saying that you just’d love the chance to interview.
I all the time prefer to tailor my software message to the itemizing; I point out their pet’s identify usually, and I emphasize my earlier related pet care expertise. For instance, if the job itemizing is for a timid feline, I spotlight my expertise caring for nervous and shy rescue cats.
5. Put together in your Interview
After the pet homeowners have thought of all their functions, and in the event that they really feel you might be a very good match, they’re prone to attain out and ask should you’re involved in an interview. You’re one step nearer to securing a pet sitting job. All you need to do is ace the interview.
So, what’s one of the simplest ways to organize for these pet sitting interviews? I prefer to go over the job itemizing and notice something vital that they could convey up.
Do the pets have any well being points or behavioral issues? In that case, be ready to reply questions in your comfortability and expertise with a majority of these pets.
Whereas the questions and tone of the interview differ per pet proprietor, some normal questions embrace:
- Why are you curious about pet sitting for us?
- What’s your earlier expertise with canines/cats/different animals?
- What are you planning on doing in the course of the pet sit?
- In the event you’re touring from abroad, what are your journey plans like?
And keep in mind, don’t beat your self up should you don’t get the job in the long run. Pet sitting will be aggressive! Hold making use of, and also you’ll finally land the proper pet sitting gig.
Whether or not you’re questioning the best way to turn into an authorized pet sitter otherwise you’re hoping to safe some home sitting gigs in your subsequent prolonged trip, these 5 suggestions are the very best steps to get began.
Easy methods to Discover Work as a Pet Sitter
Now that we’ve gone over the best way to turn into a canine sitter and the best way to turn into a cat sitter, let’s develop on the place to search out work as a pet sitter.
These are the 5 finest web sites to search out pet sitting gigs:
1. Trusted Housesitters
In the event you’re turning into a pet sitter within the hope you’ll get free lodging abroad, then you need to use Trusted Housesitters. The largest pet sitting platform accessible, Trusted Housesitters permits you to discover an abundance of home sitting alternatives around the globe.
With a 24/7 vet hotline, nice customer support, and an easy-to-navigate web site, Trusted Housesitters is among the finest pet sitting web sites on the market. Nevertheless, you do need to pay an annual membership charge to entry Trusted Housesitters’ plethora of alternatives; it prices $129 per 12 months.
I personally prefer to view this membership charge as a small funding; I pay $129 upfront, nevertheless it saves me 1000’s of {dollars} on lodging a 12 months. I’ve used Trusted Housesitters to journey to international locations like Japan, the UK, and Belgium on a funds, so it’s undoubtedly value it.
Goats On The Highway readers obtain an computerized 20% off the price of the membership charge with Trusted Housesitters. Use this hyperlink for the low cost and particulars.
2. Rover
In the event you’re involved in getting paid to pet sit regionally, then I like to recommend you take a look at Rover. A web site the place you possibly can listing your pet sitting companies like home sitting, pet boarding, canine strolling, doggy daycare, and drop-in visits; it’s one of the simplest ways to generate profits as a pet sitter.
Rover helps you to get began totally free, however they take a proportion of your wage out of your bookings. They provide 24/7 help (which incorporates vet help), the Rover Assure (which incorporates reimbursement for up $25,000 value of vet charges), and give you entry to an abundance of potential shoppers – it’s value looking.
3. Nomador
For these nonetheless questioning the best way to turn into a pet sitter, Nomador is among the finest web sites to get began.
Full of worldwide home sitting alternatives, it’s the proper platform for vacationers and digital nomads. It does, nevertheless, has a membership charge of $85 per 12 months.
4. MindMyHouse
Much like Nomador and Trusted Housesitters, MindMyHouse is a global home sitting web site that’s excellent for these seeking to turn into a pet sitter.
With an easy-to-use web site and many pet sitting alternatives, MindMyHouse is an effective way to get began. It’s additionally one of many cheaper choices accessible and prices simply $29 per 12 months.
5. Native Job Listings on Certainly or ZipRecruiter
Lastly, top-of-the-line methods to search out paid native pet sitting jobs is on job platforms reminiscent of Certainly or ZipRecruiter. By looking current job listings, yow will discover native corporations hiring pet sitters and canine walkers for affordable charges.
Nevertheless, the alternatives accessible to you’ll differ primarily based on the place you’re positioned and the time of 12 months. However, it’s one of the simplest ways to persistently discover potential, paid pet sitting jobs. This was the case for me, regardless that it took me some time to get employed.
How A lot Do Pet Sitters Make?
Now that we’ve gone over the best way to turn into a contract pet sitter, chances are you’ll be questioning what the common wage seems like.
Sadly, most home sitting with pet jobs are unpaid as your pay comes within the type of free lodging and utilities. Often, these jobs additionally include further perks, like free car entry, however, a lot of the listings discovered on web sites like Trusted Housesitters, Nomador, and MindMyHouse gained’t pay.
Nevertheless, when you acquire extra expertise and expertise as a pet nanny and home sitter, you’ll be capable of leverage your experience for cash. Skilled pet sitters can count on to make $25 to $80 per night time, relying on the world, shoppers, duties requested, and your testimonials.
Moreover, jobs that contain drop-in visits and canine strolling are undoubtedly worthy of cost. You possibly can count on to make $10 to $25 per 30-60 minute go to. You possibly can listing your companies and charges on web sites like Rover; simply notice that the upper your charges, the tougher it’s to search out new shoppers.
General, don’t count on to make an excessive amount of cash at first. I used to be home sitting with pets totally free for 2 years earlier than I began requesting cost, and though I may’ve began charging a lot earlier, I used to be primarily looking for free journey lodging.
Execs and Cons of Being a Pet Sitter
Up to now, we’ve gone over the best way to turn into knowledgeable pet sitter, the necessities of turning into a pet sitter, and the very best pet sitting corporations to select from. However how are you going to ensure if pet sitting is the proper match for you? What are the benefits and downsides of being knowledgeable pet sitter?
Execs of Changing into a Pet Sitter
- Free lodging and utilities: One of many largest perks of pet sitting is that you just get a free place to remain. In the event you’re pet sitting regionally, you possibly can deal with it as a staycation; you’ll lower your expenses on utilities, and also you would possibly even get to dwell some time in some luxurious properties. In the event you’re touring, pet sitting can let you go to new cities with out paying a dime for lodging.
- Spend high quality time with animals: In the event you crave the corporate of cute animals however don’t personal pets of your individual, pet sitting is one of the simplest ways to go. This was the best attract for me; after I first began out as knowledgeable pet sitter, I couldn’t personal any of my very own pets as a result of I used to be residing nomadically in Japan.
- It’s an effective way to make extra cash: Whereas it’s a bit unlikely you’ll make a full-time earnings off of pet sitting alone, it’s an ideal, straightforward, and handy approach to make some additional money.
- It’s versatile: As knowledgeable pet sitter, you will be self-employed. This implies you possibly can select your jobs primarily based in your private preferences, and with an abundance of pet and home sitting gigs accessible, there are numerous choices to select from.
- It’s top-of-the-line methods to journey: Pet sitting supplies you with the chance to go to the much less touristy areas of a metropolis and uncover some hidden gems. That is one in every of my favourite components of pet sitting; it allowed me to discover fully new areas of London and Tokyo.
Cons of Changing into a Pet Sitter
- The wage isn’t excessive, constant, or dependable: Whereas it’s nice to receives a commission to cuddle and take care of some animals, the wage isn’t nice. It additionally regularly varies between shoppers and seasons.
- You may need to take care of some tough shoppers: Whereas a lot of the pet homeowners I’ve met have been very welcoming and sort, you often need to take care of tough and fussy shoppers. It may be worrying and exhausting to take care of their typically limitless stream of calls for.
- You may need to take care of some misbehaved pets: Pet sitting a very mischievous or untrained animal will be fairly worrying. Caring for a poorly-behaved animal will be tiring; from cleansing up their messes to offering them with a wholesome outlet for his or her extreme power.
- Most pet and home sitting web sites cost a membership charge: In the event you’re questioning the best way to turn into a pet sitter with none expertise, it’s finest to hitch a home sitting web site. Sadly, most of those web sites cost a membership charge. I prefer to view it as a small funding for my private freelance pet sitting enterprise.
Easy methods to Grow to be a Pet Sitter: FAQs
Listed below are the solutions to some generally requested questions on the best way to turn into a pet sitter:
There aren’t any particular necessities to turn into a pet sitter, however some fascinating traits embrace a love for animals, expertise with animal care, familiarity with animal conduct and customary coaching methods, stellar communication expertise, and pet first support certification.
One of the best ways to start out canine sitting or cat sitting as a beginner is to realize as a lot pet care expertise as you possibly can. This will embrace strolling your mates’ canines or volunteering at an area veterinary clinic. Don’t overlook to ask them for references.
Pet sitters are undoubtedly in demand, particularly in massive cities. Pet homeowners know that their beloved animals are rather more snug staying at residence than at a pet boarding facility, and pet sitting corporations like Rover and Trusted Housesitters are persevering with to develop and develop to fulfill calls for.
Whereas pet sitting is mostly seen as a straightforward job, it undoubtedly comes with its challenges, particularly when deling with animals which have behavioral points or an extreme quantity of power. With a purpose to turn into a pet sitter, you’ll should be affected person, devoted, and accountable.
Sure, as knowledgeable pet sitter, you possibly can count on to receives a commission $25 to $80 per night time, relying on the placement, variety of pets, and particular pet companies requested. For drop-in visits, you possibly can count on to receives a commission $10 to $25 per 30-60 minute go to.
If you wish to canine sit in your individual residence, you’ll need to have an appropriate set-up. This consists of having a safe space only for the canine with all the necessities comprising a clear water dish, mattress, and enrichment (reminiscent of canine toys!).
Some duties pet sitters have embrace offering the pets with meals and water, enjoying with them, grooming them, giving them their drugs (if requested), strolling the canines, cleansing the cat litter, and protecting the homeowners up to date on their well-being.
In Conclusion
I hope this text on the best way to get into petsitting has supplied you with the means and the boldness to get began. Pet sitting is actually one in every of my favourite jobs on the earth; not solely do I get to save cash whereas visiting costly locations, however I get to spend high quality time with cute animals.
Whether or not you wish to begin pet sitting to save lots of on journey lodging or to make some additional money at residence, there’s nothing higher than getting paid to take care of a pet. So, open up your laptops and begin organising your profiles, it’s time to get began.
