Why Pet-Sitting Could Be Profitable
Why Pet-Sitting Could Be Profitable
by Tracy Reed
If you’re looking to turn your passion for animals into a profitable business, look no further. You can actually make a living out of pet sitting, which involves caring for people’s fur babies for a certain period of time. It normally requires you to visit an owner’s home to feed and look after their pet. Additional services like pet walking, boarding, and training can also be included as add-on services for this type of business.
According to a 2020 State of the Industry survey conducted by Pet Sitter’s International, pet sitters earned roughly USD 75,869 in gross revenue during 2019. Other reports show that independent pet sitters can earn up to USD 57,000 per year. Given these big numbers, it’s no wonder that the U.S. now has roughly 106,319 pet-sitting businesses.
You might already be thinking of setting up such a business of your own, but it does take a bit of time, effort, and money to get one running. For one, you’ll need to purchase basic pet supplies, preferably from a trusted supplier such as PrideBites customizable pet products, just in case your clients don’t have a complete set of them. Depending on what state you plan to operate in, you’ll also have to take care of certain legal requirements such as business licenses and business liability insurance packages, among others.
But even if it may seem like a lot of work at first, a well-managed pet-sitting business can be highly profitable due to the following reasons:
Low Start-Up Costs
Compared to other kinds of businesses, pet sitting is relatively inexpensive to start from the ground up. Based on data from the U.S. Small Business Administration, most micro-businesses cost roughly USD 3,000 to start. By contrast, pet sitting requires much lower capital. While costs may vary from person to person, many pet sitters say that they started their businesses with investments of less than USD 1,000.
This makes sense, considering how pet sitting doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Since clients are likely to have their own pet supplies, you won’t need to spend a lot on pet products. Plus, you don’t need to have a storefront, since pet sitting normally takes place inside a client’s home, your home, or in public places like parks. Hence, you won’t have to worry about renting or maintaining an additional space as your base of operations.
Flexible Work Hours and Services
Running a pet-sitting business means that you get to be your own boss. You can choose the kinds of services you offer and decide how often you want to work. Even if you don’t work every day of the week, a good business model can help you generate large revenues and build a strong customer base.
For example, you can choose to charge by the hour, by the kinds of services you provide, or both. You can provide your services solely during weekends or holidays to cater exclusively to clients who travel frequently during these peak holiday times. While this kind of schedule will keep you busy on non-working days, it’s a good option if you want to free up your weekdays so you can enjoy your downtime during off-peak days and hours.
Conversely, you can offer pet-sitting services only during weekdays for clients who work long hours. You can even combine these business models as you see fit, depending on your own needs. The beauty of this type of business is that the work schedule is all up to you.
A Wide Range of Promotional Channels
Due to the nature of this kind of business, pet sitting can be marketed via a wide range of promotional channels. This can help pet sitters build bigger client bases and, in turn, generate more profits.
For beginner pet sitters, word-of-mouth works especially well. You don’t necessarily need to have a Rolodex of prospective clients; instead, you can start promoting your business by offering your services to family members, friends, neighbors, and even present and former co-workers. Satisfied clients are also likely to recommend your business to fellow pet owners in need of a pet sitter.
Additionally, you can partner with veterinarians, groomers, and pet store owners in your area. Placing your business cards, posters, and other promotional materials in these pet-related establishments can be an effective way to attract potential clients because these locations enjoy heavy foot traffic. The popularity of pet sitting has also given rise to numerous websites that directly connect pet sitters to pet owners. With these websites, you can grow your client base without having to step outside of your home.
As shown in the points above, pet sitting can be a lucrative business as long as you follow the right practices. However, it’s not only a profitable profession—it’s also a highly rewarding one. After all, many pet sitters can attest that nothing is more fulfilling than giving animals the quality care and attention that they deserve.
