How To Become A Pet Sitter

No Experience Require

If you think pet sitting is just for kids earning some extra cash, then think again. The pet sitting and pet care industry is large, with no signs of slowing down. In fact, in 2022, the global pet sitting market was valued at $2.4 billion, and by 2032, it’s projected to grow to $6.4 billion—a whopping 166% increase in just ten years. So if you want to become a pet sitter that has no experience, then there’s room for you. But how do you start with no experience?

This blog will guide you through the steps to get started. While it’s absolutely possible to become a pet sitter with no prior experience, it’s not as simple as it once was. That is because today’s pet sitting industry requires dedication, training, and professionalism. Let’s dive in and explore how you can begin your journey.

What Is Pet Sitting?

Pet sitting goes beyond feeding pets and letting them out to potty. It’s about temporarily taking on the care of someone else’s beloved pet, ensuring their safety and routine while the owner is away. Many consider a limited definition for “Pet Sitter”, however, the roles and responsibilities have grown over time. One may now call a “Pet Sitter” a “Pet Care Provider” or, if properly trained, a “Professional Pet Care Provider”. There is no one right answer for what a “sitter” should be called because at the end of the day, the services and responsibilities remain much the same.

A pet sitter may provide a variety of services, including:

1. Dog Walking
2. Drop-ins
3. House Sitting
4. Boarding
5. In-Home Daycare
6. Pet Taxi Services
7. Medication Visits

The modern pet sitter does much more than basic care, which is why preparation is key.

Building the Foundation: What You Need to Know Before Starting as a Pet Sitter

Starting a pet sitting career may seem simple—ask a neighbor or friend if you can watch their pet—but success as a professional requires more. To stand out, you need to focus on these core areas:

Develop Your Character

Successful pet sitters possess the following traits:

• A love for animals: A passion for pets is a must.
• People skills: You’ll need to interact with pet owners professionally and kindly.
• Professionalism:
  • Always respect the client’s home and follow their rules.
  • Assume you are being watched by cameras and act accordingly, because there is a good chance you are being recorded.

Stay Organized

Use tools to manage your schedule and client information, such as:

• Google Calendar or Asana for scheduling.
• JotForm or Google Forms to collect all pet care information and instructions.
• Pet Sitting Software for scheduling and information collection (incomplete list):
  • Time To Pet
  • Gingr
  • Pet Pocketbook
  • Pet Sitter Plus
  • Precise Petcare

Communication and Punctuality

Be clear, responsive, and reliable. Trust is key in this business, therefore, your clients need to know they can count on you.

Education: A Big First Step

Pet First Aid and CPR Training

Before taking on your first client, make sure you’re trained in pet first aid and CPR. These skills are vital for handling emergencies and will certainly set you apart from others. Even if you start as a pet sitter with no experience, showing your commitment to pet safety is a huge step towards building trust with a client.

The RECOVER Initiative offers an excellent online CPR course for pet owners and professionals. It’s evidence-based and up-to-date, making it undoubtedly a top choice for new pet sitters. It only costs $35 at the time of writing, so take a moment to consider this potentially life-saving course.

Certifications

Consider seeking certifications to boost your credibility and confidence:

• NAPPS Certification: A comprehensive course covering pet care, business management, and safety. Cost: $245 for members ($395 for non-members)
• PSI Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS): Demonstrates knowledge in the professional pet sitting industry. Cost: $275
• Fear Free Pet Sitter Certification: Focuses on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Cost: $119 for members ($229 for non-members)
• DogNostics Career Center Certified Pet Care Professional (DN-CPCP): A large program of study covering a wide variety of topics for those in need of the knowledge and skills to work in the pet care profession. Cost: $350

Join Industry Organizations

Membership in professional organizations can provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and credibility; undeniably a great option to consider. Examples include those mentioned above:

• National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS)
• Pet Sitters International (PSI)
• Fear Free Pets

Membership Benefits: Finding Value in Your Investment

Becoming a member of the above organizations for an annual fee has its perks. If used to your advantage, there is value in the offerings within each organization, especially for a new pet sitter with no experience. NAPPS, PSI, and Fear Free Pets all offer similar benefits, though check out each one to find which works for you.

Common benefits include, but are not limited to:

1. Discounted Products and Services
   • Insurance
   • Training Programs
   • Business Solutions
   • Bookkeeping
   • Coaching
   • Identity Protection
   • Mobile Apps
   • Pet Sitting Software
   • Website Development
2. Annual Conferences
3. Webinars: live with Q&A sessions
4. Library Access
5. Business forms: customizable to your liking
6. Rights to use their logo
7. Listing on pet sitting directory
8. Facebook communities
9. Marketing Resources
10. Informational Handouts

Gaining Experience

Start small by offering your services to friends and family or using pet sitting apps like Rover or Wag. These platforms let you build your profile, set your services and pricing, and gain experience at your own pace. You are indeed your own boss. Rover and Wag are there to support you, so consider exploring these options. Despite the value in these platforms, some are turned off from them due to the fees linked with each platform.

• Rover: 20% fee for every booking
• Wag: Reportedly upwards of 40% fee for every booking

Keep in mind that without these fees, you are basically using their platform, their marketing, their technology for free. Therefore, the fee is your payment to them for their work to support you. It’s ultimately a small price to pay for the value they provide, especially if you are just starting out looking for some experience.

Get Insured and Bonded

Invest in pet sitter insurance upon starting in order to protect yourself and your clients. Even if you’re working through Rover or Wag, having this coverage is a smart move. If you become a member of NAPPS or PSI, then consider the discount offering on insurance through the Business Insurers of the Carolinas.

Screening Potential Clients

Not every client or pet will be a good fit. Therefore, use all communication and interactions with a potential client to look for whether they are a good fit for you. Be on the lookout for common red flags that should surely steer you towards saying “No”.

Look out for:

• Unresponsiveness
• Poor communication
• Poor attitude
• Impolite
• Unable to keep pet sitters in the past
• Don’t seem to value your time

One of the hardest, but most important practices to learn is to say “No”. It seems counterintuitive, but your business will be better off if you learn to turn down certain clients that don’t match your requirements.

Ask for Feedback

Request constructive feedback to help significantly improve your services and grow as a pet sitter. Positive experiences will almost certainly lead to referrals and repeat business.

Keep Learning

Continuously update your skills through courses, webinars, and industry events. Staying informed will keep you ahead in this competitive field.

Conclusions

Becoming a pet sitter with no experience is absolutely possible. Start by building your knowledge, gaining certifications, and joining organizations. With the right mindset, organizational skills, and dedication, you can grow from a beginner to eventually a leader in the pet care industry.

Take the first step today. Your journey as a pet sitter begins now!