Be a Pet-Sitter to Earn Extra Cash

Everyone seems to have one or more pets these days. Some are satisfied with a tiny little dog that hardly takes up a foot of space in a house; others think they need to adopt every homeless cat that comes their way; and still others opt for a dog that would pass for a horse if you stuck a mane on his neck and a saddle on his back.

Whatever type of pet a person fancies, there will eventually come a time when they need a pet-sitter for their animal friend. If you love animals, that's where you come in.

"Unfortunately, I am the type of person that has to close my eyes when I read a newspaper and come to the page filled with pictures of homeless cats and dogs that need a loving home. I know for sure that if I allow myself to look in their sad little eyes, I will not be able to resist. How do they get those animals to look at the camera with such pleading expressions, anyway? The point is, I am a sucker for a furry little face that says, "Please adopt me."

One way to solve this problem is to become a pet-sitter. It's kind of like having grandchildren. You can indulge yourself whenever you choose by visiting the place where the child/pet spends his or her days, and you can leave when you have had enough. If you can resist the sad little eyes I mentioned, you can even go to the homeless shelter and spend an afternoon enjoying the company of the cats and dogs there, but don't say I didn't warn you. The chances are that, if you live in a place where pets are not forbidden, you'll end up taking a new friend home with you.

Anyway, being a pet-sitter for friends and acquaintances is a great way to spend some time with animals and earn a little extra money at the same time. Animals are not usually as demanding as small children, so pet-sitting can be a lot easier than baby-sitting. And, one of the best benefits of being a pet-sitter is that if the pet is a dog, you are usually asked to take them for a walk. This is good for the dog, and good for you, since most of us need all the exercise we can get. Sometimes, the dog ends up taking you for a walk instead of the other way around, but if you are firm with him, you can usually convince him that you are the one in charge.

Does pet-sitting sound like something you would enjoy? Then here's what you need to do.

1. Let your friends know you are available.

Some of your acquaintances may never have thought about hiring a sitter for their pets, and end up carting them off to a kennel if they are going to be out of town for a few days, or prevailing upon relatives for an hour or two more often than they (or the relatives) would like. Make sure they know that you are actually starting a pet-sitting business--not just volunteering to do it out of the goodness of your heart, or I can guarantee that some will take advantage of you.

2. Place a small ad under "pets" in the local newspaper.

It shouldn't cost a lot to just run a one line ad with something like, "Pet sitter--loves animals" followed by your phone number. If you can provide references, put that in there, too. Don't forget to post flyers on the bulletin boards at the local super-markets. I always read them, don't you?

3. When you arrive for a new pet-sitting job, ask your employer a few questions.

Ask any of the following questions that apply to your particular situation, and add any others that seem appropriate.

Does the pet have a special blanket or toy it sleeps with?
Are there certain rooms or furniture in the house that are "off-limits" to the pet?
Is there anything that might cause the pet to react violently or to become nervous?\If the pet's owner expects to be away for more than a few hours, would it be possible for them to leave a message on the answering machine that you could play back to reassure the pet if it seems lonely.
Where is the leash kept?
Is there a particular route where the animal is usually walked?
Is the pet allowed to play outside in a fenced yard alone?
Is the pet on any medications?
Who should you call in case of emergency?

4. Enjoy your time as a pet-sitter.

Now that you have a client and the answers to any questions that may come up while you are pet-sitting, sit back and enjoy yourself. Spend some time cuddling the cat, or petting the dog. Enjoy watching their antics and how they respond when they realize you are the one who is going to put food and water in their bowls. Especially have fun when you take them for a walk, realizing that you are getting as much benefit out of it as they are.

That's about all there is to becoming a pet-sitter. Your business may start out with only a client or two, but as soon as they begin to share with their friends that they have found a pet-sitter, your business will increase dramatically--especially this time of year when people are planning vacations and wondering who they can trust to take care of their dog(s) or cat(s) while they are away. You couldn't find a better time to get started, so get your name out there right away.