Become a Petsitter
Template:FormatMany of us have owned pets, or simply love animals whether we have pets or not. You may even have wondered how to become a petsitter either as a way to earn some extra funds or even as a way to exchange services with friends or neighbours. Some people even exchange their experience and services as [petsitters] to travel without paying for accommodation. How you might ask? Read on to learn more...
Contents
Key Steps - How to Become a Petsitter
Get some petsitting experience
- First experience - Offer to care for a neighbour' pet who knows you, start with no fee.
- Research - Read up on [starting the petsitting and housesitting experience -
- Learn useful skills - Take a pet first aid course, for cpr and other practical skills on the job. Get a certificate on completing the course.
- Secure local petsits - Approach people you know. Be open about your reasons and motivation.
- Secure references - For each petsit ask the pet owner to write you a reference.
- Get an up-to-date Police and background check - prove you have a clean record.
Register with a petsitting platform
- Travel - Join a petsitting platform if you have petsitting experience and want to travel beyond your neighbourhood.
- Working holiday - Exchange your petsitting experience for free accommodation as a working holiday.
- Payment - Register on a platform and pay a small annual fee. Your accommodation is then completely free, no matter how grand the property or pets.
- ID and Background checks for security - Comply with the request for an online ID check online and police and background check.
- Trial offer - Secure a discount code for first time joiners and you may get support via Livechat in real time.
Travel and live like a local by petsitting - What you must do
- Local recommendations - Ask your host for a list of their favourite things to do and see in the local area.
- Meet the neighbours - Introduce yourself to the neighbours local to where you are staying to get another perspective on local information.
- Shop locally - Ensure you follow up on recommendations for the best local shops and grocers to get the best out of your culinary experience in that area.
- Find the best eateries - Explore the recommendations for the best eateries, given you by your host and neighbours.
- Research how to live like a local - Find out more about how to Live like a local to make the most of your petsitting and housesitting experience.
Learn about the area you are staying in
- Experience the history and culture of the area - Dig up the oldest and most fascinating places to visit locally to better understand the region.
- Discover local arts in action - Live like a local and enjoy the local entertainments within reach while you are staying there.
- Immerse yourself in the culture - Join in some of the local activities recommended by your host to really immerse yourself in local life e.g. book club, theatre club, cooking activities, hiking tours, local markets...
Professional petsitting - What you must do
- Pet sitter insurance - Buy a pet sitter insurance plan that suits your needs and your location, it's good for professional protection.
- Qualifications - Ensure you get full certification in pet first aid that extends to all the animal types you care for.
- Manage your fees - Do due diligence to check the local prices that petsitters charge, to remain competitive.
- Register with a formal petsitting agency - Join an agency to find immediate work, however, they will likely take a percentage of your fee.
Tips
* Police and Background checks - Get an up to date certificate to show pet owners. * Collect reviews and testimonials - Collect customer reviews with each petsit, so that you can share with new prospects and clients.
References
* PDSA Pet first aid courses - https://www.pdsa.org.uk/get-involved/our-campaigns˿ree-first-aid-guide- https://www.housesitmatch.com/blog/the-beginners-guide-to-petsitting/] to learn what you might expect
- https://www.livelikealocalabroad.com/about-travel-like-local/
