Do you want to become a Pet Sitter? Are you already a Pet Sitter? Why not consider joining our team?
As you read through these next few paragraphs, remember that you will get ongoing training in order to handle any situation. However, there are a lot of things to consider before you decide to commit. Please keep reading (all information below is crucial) or jump to a section:
Misconceptions about Pet Sitting
What is takes to become a Pet Sitter
Pros and cons
Let’s address a few issues
Questions to ask yourself
Minimum requirements
Ready to join our team?
Misconceptions about Pet Sitting
Many who consider becoming a Pet Sitter seem to think that all a Pet Sitter does is slop down food, pat the pet on the head and go on their merry little way while making money! We often hear things like “It must be a straightforward job” or “how difficult can it be”. These are misconceptions about Pet Sitting assignments and often the demise of many Pet Sitters’ jobs.
Pet Sitters do more than provide fresh food and water for pets. They clean litter boxes and pick up poop, administer medications, bring in the homeowners’ mail, water plants, check the perimeter for safety, as well as some other tasks.
What it takes to become a Pet Sitter
As a Pet Sitter, you should have some background in caring for animals. Although many Pet Sitters have worked in veterinary offices, you only need to have a genuine love for animals and knowledge about the care of pets. You will only build an excellent reputation by viewing your client’s pets as members of their family and treating them as such. Our Pet Sitters provide only the highest level of service, quality, and professionalism. You need to be trustworthy and reliable, but you also need to have dedication, knowledge, and experience.
Pros and cons
Pet sitting can be very profitable for people willing to work hard. Yes, pet sitting has its perks – you get to play with lots of animals, meet lots of new people, and every assignment is different. If you are very good with most animals, then the job may not seem very tough compared to the income.
Pet Sitting also has its downsides. Emergency situations can (and do) arise. You may encounter problems with the client’s home and you must work regardless of the weather (rain or shine, hot or cold), etc. Although these things do not happen regularly, we and other Pet Sitters have had to deal with them occasionally.
Let’s address a few issues
Animals can be unpredictable. They can become ill or have accidents (diarrhoea, vomit, etc.), they can bite, get loose, or run rampant in their yard and refuse to listen to you when it’s time to go in, etc. If a pet has an accident, a good professional Pet Sitter would clean up after the pet (even if they were told not to worry about it). This is for the well-being of the pet and in the best interest of the client. If a professional Pet Sitter gets bitten, he or she would still provide care for the pet until the return of the client, or until they have made other arrangements.
If you have committed to a pet sitting assignment, you must work, even if you’re sick and feel awful or the weather gets bad. A Pet Sitter is always expected to be there – dogs still need to get out and have their breaks, food and water. Medications still need to be given and your client’s property still needs to be checked on. Whenever we take a stay-in assignment, we always leave the client’s home cleaner than when they left. We pride ourselves on absolute professional business practices.
Questions to ask yourself
You need to know that pet sitting requires a high level of responsibility. You are going into people’s homes to care for their pets, but everything that they have worked for is now also in your care. This is not a job you should take lightly. Ask yourself:
- Do I have the dedication needed for this business?
- Do I truly love animals and love to spend time with them?
- Am I a responsible person, trustworthy and reliable?
- Am I capable of determining if an animal is having an issue (difficulty relieving themselves, differences in their stool, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, etc.)?
- Am I capable of dealing with any emergency that may arise? What if a pet is having a seizure, could I handle that?
- Do I have any fears of specific animals, large dogs, etc.? A healthy respect is one thing, but fear is another.
- Am I qualified to deal with sick or injured animals until vet treatment can be sought?
- If a pet passes on, could I handle that?
If you are not confident with your answers to these questions or answered “No” to any of them, then you may want to reconsider, as it could easily be detrimental to the client and the pets.
Minimum requirements
To join our Stellenbosch team, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must have and use a cell phone regularly. Smartphone required with texting capability and internet access.
- Must have access to a reliable vehicle with a valid driver’s license.
- Must have basic computer skills and have access to a computer for email and internet access.
- Must be 23 or over and willing to submit and pass a criminal background check.
- Must be willing to work ALL major holidays, including Easter, Christmas, New Year, and especially Decembers.
- Must have some experience with your own pets, or other pets (as an adult, not just growing up with them).
- Must be flexible with your schedule.
- Must be personable with clients.
- Must enjoy working outside and be willing to work in every type of weather.
- Must be able to think quickly with common sense and respond quickly in difficult situations.
- Must be able to write well, communicate easily, and follow directions and instructions.
- Must be able to be critiqued without taking offence. Many times, clients will make suggestions or requests for your next set of visits with them.
- Must be able to move and lift pets of varying weights and sizes and bend over often.
- Must be comfortable working with all breeds, including bigger dogs.
- Must be willing to continue learning, including getting certified, completing Pet First Aid, etc.
Ready to join our team?
After reading all this, being a Pet Sitter may sound like a daunting task. However, often many of these qualities come naturally, and the rest can mostly be gained as skills. If you meet these requirements and believe that you would enjoy Pet Sitting, please contact us to set up a meeting.