Do you wish to get free lodging in your subsequent trip? Or are you on the lookout for methods to make further money? Maybe you’re a digital nomad searching for methods to cut back housing prices. If that’s the case, it’s time to discover ways to grow to be a pet sitter.

Pet sitting lets you receives a commission (in cash or lodging) in trade for caring for lovely animals. It’s actually a win-win state of affairs. With loads of gigs obtainable globally, pet sitting is a nice option to journey.

I’ve pet sat around the globe; I spent a week taking care of a Husky combine in Glasgow, a month and a half with a Frenchie in Tokyo, a few weeks with a rescue cat in Brussels, and weeks with a Saluki in Kobe. It’s by far my favourite option to journey.

On this article, I’ll share the necessities to grow to be a pet sitter, how you will discover work, how a lot pet sitters receives a commission, and extra.

What’s a Pet Sitter?

Firstly, earlier than we get into learn how to grow to be a pet sitter, chances are you’ll be questioning what a pet sitter is, and what the distinction is between a pet sitter and a home sitter.

Pet sitters take care of somebody’s pet whereas they’re away. This often entails staying on the pet proprietor’s dwelling, however this isn’t all the time the case; it could possibly additionally embrace dropping in to examine on the pets, enjoying with them, checking the cat litter, or strolling the canines.

Pet sitting may embrace letting the animals keep at your individual dwelling, however this requires a safe and protected set-up. Whatever the particulars, pet sitter duties sometimes contain offering the animals with security, meals, water, affection, and playtime.

In distinction, home sitters take care of somebody’s dwelling whereas they’re away; this virtually all the time includes staying on the property. Their duties can embrace caring for a pet, however it additionally contains watering the crops, conserving issues clear, and taking care of the backyard.

I’ve expertise with each home sitting with a pet and pet sitting solely (the place I dropped in to examine on an animal). Each varieties of jobs have professionals and cons however the principle distinction is that though you get free lodging with home sitting, you’re extra prone to receives a commission as a pet sitter.

Now that we’ve established what pet sitters and home sitters are, let’s get into how one can begin pet sitting.

Necessities to Become a Pet Sitter

Should you’re questioning learn how to grow to be a pet sitter with out a diploma, chances are you’ll be asking what certifications, programs, or expertise you want in order to be up for the job.

Fortunately, most shoppers don’t require you to have any official pet sitting certifications or programs, nonetheless, there are some experiences and traits which are important for thriving as a pet sitter, together with:

Expertise with Animal Care: With the intention to safe pet sitting gigs, you have to emphasize your previous experiences with pet care. This contains feeding, strolling, cleansing, grooming, and enjoying with pets. Should you’ve by no means owned any pets earlier than, you’ll be able to acquire some priceless expertise by pet sitting to your pals or volunteering at a native veterinary clinic.

A Love for Animals: Should you’re right here to study to be a pet sitter, I think about you have already got a robust love for animals! Pet house owners like to see their pet sitters have a clear and apparent affection for his or her beloved animals.

Accountable and Reliable: One of the vital vital traits that pet house owners are on the lookout for in their pet sitters is accountability. They’re leaving their valuable animals and residential in the care of a stranger, and so they want to have the ability to belief their pet sitters fully.

Versatile: With the intention to work as a pet sitter, you must be versatile. The pet proprietor could have a last-minute request or your in a single day pet sitting dates could get modified and even canceled and so flexibility is essential to thriving as a pet sitter.

Nice at Speaking: Pet house owners love receiving frequent updates on how their beloved pets are doing, so being a nice communicator is crucial. From private expertise, I discovered that pet house owners particularly love receiving photographs of their cats enjoying or canines out on walks, because it reveals that they’re having a nice time and are pleased. Being a good communicator can also be required if and when emergencies or issues come up.

(Non-compulsory) Pet Sitting Certification: Having a pet sitting certification positively isn’t a requirement. I’ve been pet sitting for years with out one. Nonetheless, it could possibly actually improve your credibility as a skilled, so it’s nice for these critical about a profession in pet sitting. Some certifications embrace the NAPPS and the CPPS.

(Non-compulsory) Pet First Assist Course: Whereas taking and passing a pet first help course isn’t important if you wish to work as a pet sitter, it’s a nice option to improve your credibility and reliability, which in return, could make it simpler to search out shoppers.

I pet sat for 2 years earlier than I received my pet first help certification, so don’t really feel pressured to get it immediately. That being stated, having the certification elevated my odds of securing new shoppers, and it made me extra snug with caring for pets with medical points.

How to Become a Pet Sitter (5 Steps)

Now that we’ve gone over the necessities of changing into a pet sitter, let’s get into the 5 final steps on learn how to get your first pet sitting place.

These steps will enable you to safe new shoppers no matter whether or not you’re a new or skilled pet sitter. The following pointers have helped me get pet sitting gigs around the globe, together with constant canine sitting jobs in Vancouver and home sitting gigs in Japan.

I’ve each confidence that these steps will enable you to discover constant pet sitting jobs as effectively.

1. Be a part of A number of Home Sitting and Pet Sitting Web sites

Initially, in order to search out pet sitting jobs regionally and around the globe, you must be a part of a number of home/pet sitting web sites.

Fortunately, there are numerous web sites to select from. Some decisions embrace Trusted Housesitters (use this hyperlink to get 20% off), Nomador, MindMyHouse, Home Sitters America, Home Sitters Canada, and Home Carers. Take a look at the following part to study extra about the perfect pet sitting web sites.

Alternatively, in the event you’re questioning learn how to grow to be a canine sitter in your individual metropolis, you’ll be able to search for native jobs on web sites equivalent to Certainly, ZipRecruiter, and Rover.

Once I first began out as a pet sitter, I used to be primarily in discovering free lodging whereas touring. I solely used Trusted Housesitters to search out pet sitting gigs, and due to it being the biggest pet sitting platform on-line, it was simple for me to search out alternatives.

Nonetheless, I discover that it’s simpler to search out paid pet sitting jobs regionally. Total, it’s greatest to make use of many various web sites to develop your choices. Click on right here to enroll with Trusted Housesitters and obtain 20% off the membership payment.

2. Create the Good Profile

When you’ve joined a pet sitting web site or two, it’s time to arrange the proper profile.

At first, ensure your profile is well-written and error-free, as this may convey your professionalism. Nonetheless, don’t overlook to incorporate a little character.

Discuss your earlier pet care expertise, expertise, and why you’re in pet sitting. Embrace any testimonials or previous pet sitting opinions (in the event you’re a complete beginner, get some references from pals or co-workers; see step 3!). And don’t overlook to incorporate some photographs of you with some lovely animals.

Bear in mind to focus in your strengths. I all the time emphasize my expertise, accountability, and love for animals in my profile. Should you’ve taken any pet first help programs or certifications, remember to spotlight them.

3. Safe Your References

Subsequent, it’s time to safe your references. That is an important a part of getting began as a pet sitter, as having previous references, opinions, and testimonials makes you appear extra reliable and reliable.

Should you’re questioning learn how to grow to be a pet sitter with none expertise, you’ll be able to all the time search for some native alternatives. Pet sit to your pals or household, discover native job postings, or supply to stroll your neighbor’s canine and easily ask the house owners to put in writing a evaluation afterward.

You can even ask for some character references from your pals, household, or employers. Once I first began pet sitting, I requested my previous boss to put in writing me a reference to spotlight my reliability and accountability.

Total, no matter whether or not you’re a newbie or an skilled pet sitter, it’s important to incorporate references and opinions to construct belief with potential shoppers.

4. Discover and Apply for the Finest Jobs

So, you’ve joined a few pet sitting web sites, written a killer profile, and included your high references. Now, it’s time to seek for your good pet sitting job.

Most home sitting web sites let you specify your search to locations, dates, size of keep, and species of animals. Many pet sitting web sites will even allow you to specify the kind of job, equivalent to home sitting with pets, drop-in visits, or canine strolling.

After you’ve discovered and skim by way of some nice pet sitting job listings, it’s time to use to them. To accomplish that, you’ll have to ship the pet house owners an interesting and informative utility message.

Introduce your self, discuss their pets, spotlight your previous related expertise, and clarify why you’re the perfect alternative for them. Ensure that to ask some questions in regards to the job itemizing (and particularly, their furry member of the family), and finish the message by saying that you simply’d love the chance to interview.

I all the time wish to tailor my utility message to the itemizing; I point out their pet’s identify usually, and I emphasize my earlier related pet care expertise. For instance, if the job itemizing is for a timid feline, I spotlight my expertise caring for nervous and shy rescue cats.

5. Put together to your Interview

After the pet house owners have thought of all their functions, and in the event that they really feel you can be a good match, they’re prone to attain out and ask in the event you’re in an interview. You’re one step nearer to securing a pet sitting job. All you must do is ace the interview.

So, what’s one of the best ways to organize for these pet sitting interviews? I wish to go over the job itemizing and be aware something vital that they may deliver up.

Do the pets have any well being points or behavioral issues? If that’s the case, be ready to reply questions in your comfortability and expertise with these kinds of pets.

Whereas the questions and tone of the interview fluctuate per pet proprietor, some normal questions embrace:

• Why are you in pet sitting for us?
• What’s your earlier expertise with canines/cats/different animals?
• What are you planning on doing through the pet sit?
• Should you’re touring from abroad, what are your journey plans like?

And keep in mind, don’t beat your self up in the event you don’t get the job in the top. Pet sitting will be aggressive! Hold making use of, and also you’ll finally land the proper pet sitting gig.

Whether or not you’re questioning learn how to grow to be a licensed pet sitter otherwise you’re hoping to safe some home sitting gigs to your subsequent prolonged trip, these 5 ideas are the perfect steps to get began.

How to Discover Work as a Pet Sitter

Now that we’ve gone over learn how to grow to be a canine sitter and learn how to grow to be a cat sitter, let’s develop on the place to search out work as a pet sitter.

These are the 5 greatest web sites to search out pet sitting gigs:

1. Trusted Housesitters

Should you’re changing into a pet sitter in the hope you’ll get free lodging abroad, then you must use Trusted Housesitters. The most important pet sitting platform obtainable, Trusted Housesitters lets you discover an abundance of home sitting alternatives around the globe.

With a 24/7 vet hotline, nice customer support, and an easy-to-navigate web site, Trusted Housesitters is without doubt one of the greatest pet sitting web sites on the market. Nonetheless, you do should pay an annual membership payment to entry Trusted Housesitters’ plethora of alternatives; it prices $129 per yr.

I personally wish to view this membership payment as a small funding; I pay $129 upfront, however it saves me 1000’s of {dollars} on lodging a yr. I’ve used Trusted Housesitters to journey to nations like Japan, the UK, and Belgium on a finances, so it’s positively price it.

Goats On The Highway readers obtain an automated 20% off the price of the membership payment with Trusted Housesitters. Use this hyperlink for the low cost and particulars.

2. Rover

Should you’re in getting paid to pet sit regionally, then I like to recommend you take a look at Rover. An internet site the place you’ll be able to listing your pet sitting companies like home sitting, pet boarding, canine strolling, doggy daycare, and drop-in visits; it’s one of the best ways to earn money as a pet sitter.

Rover permits you to get began without spending a dime, however they take a share of your wage out of your bookings. They provide 24/7 assist (which incorporates vet help), the Rover Assure (which incorporates reimbursement for up $25,000 price of vet charges), and give you entry to an abundance of potential shoppers – it’s price taking a look.

3. Nomador

For these nonetheless questioning learn how to grow to be a pet sitter, Nomador is without doubt one of the greatest web sites to get began.

Crammed with worldwide home sitting alternatives, it’s the proper platform for vacationers and digital nomads. It does, nonetheless, has a membership payment of $85 per yr.

4. MindMyHouse

Just like Nomador and Trusted Housesitters, MindMyHouse is a global home sitting web site that’s good for these trying to grow to be a pet sitter.

With an easy-to-use web site and plenty of pet sitting alternatives, MindMyHouse is a nice option to get began. It’s additionally one of many cheaper choices obtainable and prices simply $29 per yr.

5. Native Job Listings on Certainly or ZipRecruiter

Lastly, among the best methods to search out paid native pet sitting jobs is on job platforms equivalent to Certainly or ZipRecruiter. By looking out latest job listings, you will discover native firms hiring pet sitters and canine walkers for cheap charges.

Nonetheless, the alternatives obtainable to you’ll fluctuate based mostly on the place you’re positioned and the time of yr. Nonetheless, it’s one of the best ways to persistently discover potential, paid pet sitting jobs. This was the case for me, despite the fact that it took me a whereas to get employed.

How A lot Do Pet Sitters Make?

Now that we’ve gone over learn how to grow to be a freelance pet sitter, chances are you’ll be questioning what the typical wage appears like.

Sadly, most home sitting with pet jobs are unpaid as your pay comes in the type of free lodging and utilities. Sometimes, these jobs additionally include extra perks, like free car entry, however, many of the listings discovered on web sites like Trusted Housesitters, Nomador, and MindMyHouse gained’t pay.

Nonetheless, when you acquire extra expertise and expertise as a pet nanny and home sitter, you’ll be capable of leverage your experience for cash. Skilled pet sitters can count on to make $25 to $80 per evening, relying on the world, shoppers, duties requested, and your testimonials.

Moreover, jobs that contain drop-in visits and canine strolling are undoubtedly worthy of cost. You’ll be able to count on to make $10 to $25 per 30-60 minute go to. You’ll be able to listing your companies and costs on web sites like Rover; simply be aware that the upper your charges, the more durable it’s to search out new shoppers.

Total, don’t count on to make an excessive amount of cash at first. I used to be home sitting with pets without spending a dime for 2 years earlier than I began requesting cost, and though I may’ve began charging a lot earlier, I used to be primarily searching for free journey lodging.

Execs and Cons of Being a Pet Sitter

Up to now, we’ve gone over learn how to grow to be a skilled pet sitter, the necessities of changing into a pet sitter, and the perfect pet sitting firms to select from. However how are you going to make sure if pet sitting is the precise match for you? What are the benefits and downsides of being a skilled pet sitter?

Execs of Changing into a Pet Sitter

• Free lodging and utilities: One of many largest perks of pet sitting is that you simply get a free place to remain. Should you’re pet sitting regionally, you’ll be able to deal with it as a staycation; you’ll get monetary savings on utilities, and also you would possibly even get to dwell a whereas in some luxurious properties. Should you’re touring, pet sitting can let you go to new cities with out paying a dime for lodging.
• Spend high quality time with animals: Should you crave the corporate of lovely animals however don’t personal pets of your individual, pet sitting is one of the best ways to go. This was the best attract for me; once I first began out as a skilled pet sitter, I couldn’t personal any of my very own pets as a result of I used to be dwelling nomadically in Japan.
• It’s a nice option to make extra cash: Whereas it’s a little unlikely you’ll make a full-time revenue off of pet sitting alone, it’s a nice, simple, and handy option to make some further money.
• It’s versatile: As a skilled pet sitter, you will be self-employed. This implies you’ll be able to select your jobs based mostly in your private preferences, and with an abundance of pet and home sitting gigs obtainable, there are numerous choices to select from.
• It’s among the best methods to journey: Pet sitting offers you with the chance to go to the much less touristy areas of a metropolis and uncover some hidden gems. That is considered one of my favourite components of pet sitting; it allowed me to discover fully new areas of London and Tokyo.

Cons of Changing into a Pet Sitter

• The wage isn’t excessive, constant, or dependable: Whereas it’s nice to receives a commission to cuddle and look after some animals, the wage isn’t nice. It additionally steadily varies between shoppers and seasons.
• You might need to take care of some difficult shoppers: Whereas many of the pet house owners I’ve met have been very welcoming and sort, you often should take care of troublesome and fussy shoppers. It may be disturbing and exhausting to take care of their typically countless stream of calls for.
• You might need to take care of some misbehaved pets: Pet sitting a notably mischievous or untrained animal will be fairly disturbing. Caring for a poorly-behaved animal will be tiring; from cleansing up their messes to offering them with a wholesome outlet for his or her extreme power.
• Most pet and home sitting web sites cost a membership payment: Should you’re questioning learn how to grow to be a pet sitter with none expertise, it’s greatest to affix a home sitting web site. Sadly, most of those web sites cost a membership payment. I wish to view it as a small funding for my private freelance pet sitting enterprise.

How to Become a Pet Sitter: FAQs

Listed below are the solutions to some generally requested questions on learn how to grow to be a pet sitter:

In Conclusion

I hope this text on learn how to get into petsitting has offered you with the means and the boldness to get began. Pet sitting is actually considered one of my favourite jobs in the world; not solely do I get to save cash whereas visiting costly locations, however I get to spend high quality time with lovely animals.

Whether or not you wish to begin pet sitting to avoid wasting on journey lodging or to make some further money at dwelling, there’s nothing higher than getting paid to look after a pet. So, open up your laptops and begin establishing your profiles, it’s time to get began.

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