Heres two questions for you,
- Do you love animals?
- Do you want to work for yourself?
If the answer to both of these questions is Yes, then why not set up a local pet sitting service.
Many people don't like to leave their beloved pets in catteries or kennels when they go on holiday, and would much rather that they were looked after in their own home, in familiar surroundings.
If you are competent with cats, or love all breeds of dogs for example, you could specialise in these animals, or if you love all animals then you could look after anything. As long as you have the commitment to give the animals the necessary care and attention that they need, for example brushing, walking, feeding, cleaning out, and you must prove yourself to be trust worthy and caring.
You should invest in Public Liability Insurance, to make sure that you are covered in case anything should happen while you are looking after an animal. You should make sure you are covered for being in someone else's property too, in case of any accidents that may occur, so you are not liable for costs incurred. Should an animal be taken ill while you are taking care of it, you need to be covered in case a pet's owner holds you responsible in any way. An insurance policy is not too expensive and will give you and your clients peace of mind. You will find that most people will only look for people that are insured, and you should advertise this fact on any leaflets or advertising material that you use, and have your certificate to hand, should a client wish to see it.
If clients are happy with the service you provide and their pets are well looked after, you will find that customers will return to you as they will have peace of mind that their pets are happy and comfortable and are being left with someone who will give them a personal service.
You could find yourself with a build up of clients quite quickly, as this sort of service is usually promoted through word of mouth from satisfied customers, and you could also advertise cheaply by putting up a poster or card in local pet shops. If you put in the time and effort, your business will grow, and you will have a job you enjoy with many satisfied customers.
