Turn Your Love of Pets into a Small Business

A Home Business Article Contributed by Philippe Nicolitch

Would Your Love of Pets Be the Start of Your Small Business?

If you are thinking of starting your small business, you may want to investigate a simple opportunity such as pet-sitter. Pet owners love their furry companions but once in a while need to live their house for a few days and can't necessarily take them to Aunt Jessica's or on a hike across the Adirondacks. What exactly are the alternatives out there to make sure Fluffy is happy while you are gone?

Vets often offer a boarding service. Clean, safe, reliable, but often costly, these are in summary the pro's and con's of leaving your pet with the vet. Are there any other alternatives equally reliable but less costly? These maybe a small business opportunity to investigate.

At Home Pet-Sitter, a Small Business Opportunity for You

If you are about to start a small business and love the company of pets, you may want to think about a pet-sitting service. There are essentially two alternatives: either you go to your clients' home and take care of their pets in their own environment, or you take the pet to your house and look after them in your own environment.

Let's investigate the first alternative as a small business opportunity. Most animals are used to their own environment. The absence of their owners is hard enough on them and staying in their own surrounding may help them a little. You job consists in visiting the pets at you client's house, take them for a walk, play with them, clean the litter box, feed them, make sure they have a good supply of water, and spend time with them.

Most pet owners like this alternative very much, however they may be reluctant to give you their home keys. This is where your reputation, reliability and a good insurance can convince them. Make sure you can provide them with references they can call and success stories to make them feel comfortable. Additional services you may provide as part of your small business is to take care of the mail, open/close the curtains so it seems as if the house was occupied, and water the plants.

This service is very much appreciated by the clients. On your side you need to calculate the best neighborhood you want to service to make sure there are enough clients in the same area. You do not want to walk one dog at one end of the city, drive for forty-five minutes and feed a cat at the other end of town. This would be extremely time consuming and not a good source of revenue!

Pet-Boarding, the Other Small Business Opportunity

Another alternative is to open a small business where you board the pets at your house. Clients drop and pick up their pets on appointment, and you take care of them in their absence. A large house with a large garden is ideal for this kind of small business. Be prepared to introduce new pets gradually to the residents, especially cats who like to keep their territory to themselves!