If you’re an animal lover, pet sitting can be a very profitable business.  However, you want to make sure that you’re ready to safely handle another life.  Before you start, use this pet sitting checklist to make sure that you are qualified.

Pet Sitting Clients

Before you begin sitting for someone’s pet, get acquainted with the family.  Visit the house, meet the owners and meet the animal before the first day on the job.  You want to make sure that you’re comfortable with the animal and the home before you agree to pet sitting.  Make sure that you and the owners have a clear agreement on what services you’re going to provide and what routine tasks you need to perform.  Particularly if you’re going to be spending the night, find out the house rules and expectations.  Make sure you know any special accommodations that the pet needs.

As far as payment goes, have a general discussion with the owners but ultimately put it in writing.  Putting the agreement in writing just prevents any conflict in the end.  Make sure that you and the owners agree on the services you will be providing and the final price.  Let them know that the contract is for both your and their benefits so there are no misunderstandings.  This is true because if you don’t do what you’re supposed to then they are not obligated to pay you.  Keep a copy of the contract and give them one as well.

Feeding While Pet Sitting

Before you start pet sitting, you should have clear instructions from the owners on the feeding routine.  It is a very good idea to have the owner write down the feeding schedule and all of the details involved so you have it on-hand.  You’re only human and you can’t expect to remember every little detail.  However, if it is in writing then you have it for reference.

If there is more than one pet, it is especially important to have detailed and clear instructions: who, where, what, when, and how?  Find out what time you should feed the pets.  Find out what pet gets what food if it is not all the same.  Find out if you should stand around until they’re done eating or if you can leave them unattended.

Pet Sitting And Medication

While you’re pet sitting, you may need to give some medication.  Have an extremely detailed list of how you are supposed to handle the medication.  You need to know where it’s stored.  You need to know what time it’s taken and what dosage.  Find out if there’s any special attention the pet needs afterward.   Just to be safe, ask if they can show you the medicine process while they’re still home just so you’re totally comfortable.

Pet Exercise While Sitting

Get detailed instructions on how to exercise each pet.  How often should they be walked and for how long?  How should you clean up after the pets?  Also, is there a fenced yard or a park where the pet should play?   Just make sure that you are comfortable and you know what you’re doing.

Overall

This can be a super fun and fulfilling job.  You just have to make sure that you can take care of another living thing.  When pet sitting, always remember to think of the pets as if they were your own, don’t put them in any type of danger that you wouldn’t put your own in.  Treat the pets as you would like yours treated if it was vise versa.

Tags: Pet Sitting

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