We’ve all dreamed of quitting our day job and going into a dog-centric business. So, when I heard about Kristin Morrison’s new book of tips, 30 Days to Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business: A Step-By-Step Guide to Launch, Attract Clients, and Make a Profit, from the pet-sitting and dog-walking business she had for 18 years, I knew Dogster readers would want to hear about it.
Starting a Pet-Sitting and Dog-Walking Business
She describes a person that could make a go at this business. “A self-starter who loves animals, is motivated, willing to work hard, someone who enjoys working from home as well as going to clients’ homes to take care of pets,” she says.
I then asked — how many hours do you need to devote? “Most people who start a pet business work long hours (50 to 60 hours a week), at least to start while they are building up the business and client base,” she explains. “After they’ve had their business for a while they can and should be a lot more selective about what clients they take on and areas they cover, and they can also hire dog walkers or pet sitters to help them. When I sold my business, I was only working 10 to 15 hours a week while my staff of 35 and four managers ran the business for me when I wasn’t working.”
Building Your Pet-Sitting and Dog-Walking Business
Kristin says it’s possible for someone who pets sits and dog walks to make six figures. (See her other book Six-Figure Pet Sitting.)
Kristin describes this book as a daily guide with action steps. It gives solid instruction from start up to marketing to money management, plus contains real-life examples from her own experience as well as from pet sitters and dog walkers around the world.
The book is available on Amazon or as an e-book at her website sixfigurepetbusiness academy.com. Follow Kristin on Instagram at petbizcoach, Pinterest at SixFigurePetBiz, Facebook at SixFigurePetSitting and Twitter @petsittingcoach. Check out her podcast: prosperouspetbusiness.com/pet-business-podcast.
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!
1 thought on “A Pro’s Advice on Starting Your Pet-Sitting and Dog-Walking Business”
I've always like the idea of taking on as many clients as you can to start then selecting the ones you want after you've had your business going regularly with a selection of clients. Good article