Ask The Expert: Pet Sitting Edition

You asked Pet Sitting, We answered Pet Sitting!

We've dug around the internet to see what your frequently asked questions surrounding everything Pet Sitting related and we thought there's no better way to answer this than from our own experience. SO... let's ask the expert!

Floofs and Friends is a pet sitting and solo dog walking service now entering our 3 year milestone! Ellie, the founder, has answered what you've asked..

1. What is the Pet Sitting? Pet Sitting is a professional service whereby a designated person will look after your pets in your house for an alloted amount of time. This can be anything from 30 minutes to a "full day" and typically covers the day only. Anything that starts at night may be considered as "twilight sitting" or "overnight stay".

2. What is the difference between Home Boarder and a Pet Sitter?

   These two are frequently confused and do not feel embarrased if you use the wrong terminology - it happens! Nevertheless, hopefully this answer will help shine some light on the two services. A Home Boarder is someone who houses dogs at their own home and typically includes several dogs at the same time. They need to be registered with the council and they will be checked annually on this. A Pet Sitter is the opposite, they will come to your house and will only look after your pets within the household. Although there is no registeration with the council, it's important to ensure they have a DBS check and fully insured.

   
   

3. How much does Pet Sitting cost?

   This very much is influenced in the area you live but also the price in what the Pet Sitter has set. This can be based off an hourly rate or a fixed rate for the day. This could be anything between £15 - £30 per hour to a fixed rate of £120. We typically wouldn't advise to go anywhere that seems too good to be true because it means that they are more likely to feel pressured to accept work not right for them as they need the money but moreso, it's simply too good to be true! You pay for what you get.
   

4. Why has Pet Sitting bloomed over the last couple of years? Pet Sitting has had increase in demand because of several moving factors. I believe that the shift of a pet's wellbeing has shifted massively and rightly so. Gone are the days where you simply leave your dog for the full day and see them after work or whenever you've been and more where you see them as a family member who needs the same amount as care as anyone else. Secondly, I believe COVID changed a lot. You've got people who had a change to reflect on how they would like to live their life and what their ideal job might be. Furlough gave them time to step away from typical office work and to restore back to something somewhat natural you could say. Similarly, those who worked at home but then have returned back to work as more so than not, developed a dog with some form of separation anxiety or may have introduced a dog into the family and thought they may work remotely forever and that hasn't been the case.
   

5. What's the best apps to Pet Sitters locally? Hmm, it's a difficult to answer directly but here's what we recommend nevertheless. You could use apps like Rover, Pawshake and Cat in the Flat but please understand that these people are typically not regulated - they do not register themselves with the council where neccessary nor will have insurance unless the insurance is offered through the app. This means that if there is any issues, it's on you. We would recommend to either do a google search and read reviews, ask around friends, reach out to a local Pet Sitter to see if they have availabiliyt or could kindly recommend someone in their place. If all of this fails, we advise jumping onto your local facebook page (or several) and posting what service you're requiring, what dates and anything else that may be relevant.
   

6. What to expect from a Pet Sitter? Like any service, you expect proactiveness, a sense of trustworthiness and overall respect to your pets and your home. They should complete the pet sit on time, send regular updates, answer questions and leave your house tidier than when you left. If you feel any doubt, either reach out to the Pet Sitter to let them know your concerns or move on to another more suitable. Also, any extra thing that we believe this should NEVER be avoided and will be a red flag on either side - do not skip on meet & greets. These are essential for all parties and should not be taken lightly.
   

7. Apparently a really popular question is the request for pet sitting near Disneyland.. Wow! What a great idea and we don't blame you. If anything, I wished I thought of something like that. Again, if you are looking for Pet Sitting near Disneyland we advise jumping on Facebook for House and Pet Sitters UK if you are based in the UK and adding a post on there. No harm in trying!
   

8. Back to basics! How to set up a Pet Sitting business?

   With us being three years in, I can comfortably say setting up any business, even a pet sitting business, is not for the faint hearted. For the first year or two, you won't even know what a weekend is! You have to hit the ground running to build a client basis, and if you don't want to sacifrice your weekends or free time then 1. it's going to take a LOT longer and 2. I don't think running a business is right for you. I know, I know! A bit harsh but true. Setting up a Pet Sitting business in the early years means you will often have to sacifice a lot without gaining much. You will be laying down the groundworks for future you. Here's what you need to start with: Offer this service as a add-on to your normal job (do not quit too early as you will be pressured and it's just not worth it). Think of a name, why your service will be different and understand pricing. Create a social media page and get posting - add it to groups, share pages and you could even offer discounts / giveaways to get going. Get a branding magnet on your car. Set up a business email address and start acting professional and seriously on all fronts.
   

9. Lastly.... What Pet Sitting business supplies should I buy?

   We'll just add this to a list for you to invest in and at what stages: before 6 months - - comfortable waterproof boots - insurance and up to date DBS check - waterproof trousers - suitable raincoat, gloves, hats, etc. - you could get a bumbag of some kind but your coat pockets will work just as well - leaflets or business cards

   - poo bags - Where required, buy correct things for safe car travel and any old towels for the dogs after 6 months - - start reviewing all of your processes and see how you can personalise them for your brand - get branded uniform

   - possibly purchase a bumbag once you figure out what you would like - could start looking at expanding into a website - car magnet with your business details (this may get updated further down the line) - If you are happy with your social media presence, you could look at setting up a few ads after 1 year: - review all that below and see if it needs updating. We also recommend buying clothes and outerwear secondhand so it's not as upsetting if they get ruined. We recommend buying all walking boots new or secondhand but new secondhand (if you get it). Not needed to buy but you feel like you need too: - leads - you do not need leads unless you'd like a spare as the clients are particular with the ones they use - do not buy loads of treats - you will find a lot of dogs have allergies so it's not worth it

   
   

   Good luck and hopefully this has been useful!