FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
My entry into the world of petsitting wasn't especially noble at first. I was a stay at home Mom whose toddler had gone off to preschool. I wanted something to do! I'd been with pets for 40 years. My next door neighbor had a company. Most important, I could maintain the freedom to keep my daughter as the top priority everyday. I figured, "why not?" Boy! was I in for a surprise! I found more joy and more balance than I'd ever known working in "the outside world". Everything just clicked. I found I was learning more from the animals than they were ever going to learn from me! I am reminded daily to enjoy the moment and top stop and smell the roses. I thrived on this kind of "work." Hard to think of it as work, really. After 6 years, my neighbor decided to move and offered to sell the business. I, frankly, didn't like the condition the business was currently in nor did I like the price. I set out on my own in 2006. 3 clients followed me because they didn't want to change their primary walker. Now, I have a team and over 160 clients-happy ones at that!
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Ask lots of questions! 1) Why are they dog walkers? is it something to do over the summer break or is this their career choice. 2) Watch your pets. What reaction do they have to this new person during the first 30-60 seconds? 3) Has this pet care specialist had any form of formal traing besides growing up with dogs? Training is not difficult to obtain but it does show commitment. It also provides a wealth of information that your pet sitter can use to aid in becoming the best they can be for your pets. It also, allows you access to a professional with great access to answers for you.