How Can I Become A Pet Sitter?

If you love animals, trustworthy, having strong interpersonal and communication skills, being empathetic, and being patient with pets. Then congratulations, you are a step closer to becoming an ideal pet sitter!

If you are having high attention to detail, being willing to work outdoors, and being organized and practical, then you are a perfect pet sitter because pet sitting is not a typical 9-to-5 office job. Sometimes a pet sitting job can be more challenging but your working hours and schedules are more flexible. Unless you are working as an employee at a company offering pet sitting services.

As an independent pet sitter, you’ll be able to set your own rates, typically $25 to $30 a day on average, depending on the services involved. The average cost of a 30 minutes visit is $25, while overnight pet-sitting costs $75 to $85 according to thumbtack. Like any other job in the market, what you earn largely depends on your previous experience, reputation, and client base.

1- Prepare to Get Qualifications

Becoming a certified pet sitter can give your career a boost and help to increase your credibility and reputation. It is good to know that a certificate is voluntary but a license is required. If you work for a professional company, they will require you to provide a license because it is required by a government organization. We help you research where you can get certified through one of the following national and international associations: Pet Sitters International

Pet Sitters International (PSI) offers the Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS) Certification.

National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) offers a certification course and exam for dog walkers and pet sitters. The requirements for certification please go check out https://petsitters.org/

Professional Animal Care Certification Council

Perhaps the most rigorous and independent pet sitting certification program is offered by the Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC). They offer 3 different certifications based on your job responsibilities. The 3 certification programs and their requirements are:

Certified Professional Animal Care Provider (CPACP)

Certified Professional Animal Care Manager (CPACM)

Certified Professional Animal Care Operator (CPACO)

2- Build Your Career

If you are working as a freelancer and you want to get noticed in this career, it is a good idea to build a social media presence or a commercial website. These can help people to get to know what you have to offer and book your services directly through the links you‘ve provided. Don’t forget to print your own name card and brochure, getting a referral from a previous client is easier than finding new clients. Or you can try to create a card for clients to collect 10 stamps to get a discount or 1-hour free service (they can get 1 stamp after a pet sitting service).

3- Maintain professionalism

When you successfully land a pet sitting job successfully, remember communication is the key to everything. Before taking the pet back home, always ask for details like what is the daily routine their pet has, allergies, medications. It is recommended that to have the owners fill out a detailed form with their contact details, their vet’s contact details, and relevant information about the pet (like age, breed, prior medical conditions, etc).

There will be lots of challenges you’ll face if you want to become a pet sitter, stay calm and we’ve got your back! For emergencies, we understand that it is not easy for you to know the solution right away or reach the vet in person immediately. We will come to you and answer your call 24/7. https://www.amenicoco.com/online-vet-services

If you are looking for becoming a pet sitter, please download our App and register: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/amenicoco-dog-cat-sitters/id1534075491