How I earned $30,000 in 6 months of petsitting.

As a self-described side hustle queen, I’m always looking for ways to diversify my income. One of the most unexpected (and fun!) streams of income I’ve started is dogsitting. For months I had a profile set up on Rover just sitting there, but had no one contact me until I realized something… I just had to do one thing!

Here’s how to maximize your potential income while caring for other’s furry friends!

1. Set up your profile on Rover and ask for reviews from people you know who can vouch for your petsitting skills. Can’t find anyone to write your review – just write one yourself from someone else (just make sure it’s honest, alright?)
2. Decide what you can offer. Perhaps you start out easy, with dog walking, and work your way up to dog boarding, or pet sitting in another person’s home. Make sure your profile is thorough (you can check out mine to see an example.
3. Update your Calendar – this is the one thing I didn’t realize when I set up my profile! You can update your availability on the calendar once every 24 hours. By updating your availability, you’ll show up at the top of the search results for potential clients.
4. Start out with competitive pricing for your area. Make sure you account for special extras you can offer such as working from home, a fenced yard, trips to the dog park, etc. Personally, I end my pricing with a “7” because charm pricing never hurt anyone.
5. Ask your clients to please rate and review you after a stay! Go above and beyond – for new clients, I include a handwritten thank you note and if possible, print out a photogenic picture I’ve taken of their dog
6. Communication is key, especially for new clients. Always let the owner know how the first night went, and don’t be afraid to overcommunicate, especially on the first day to put the owner’s mind at ease.
7. Take good photos. Send a daily photo of their pet, and take the time to make sure it’s photogenic. Pet owners will be so happy to see their dog’s face, not just a photo of their butt when they take a walk. (Some puppy butts an be cute though – hello corgis! )
8. Don’t be afraid to raise your prices once you have a fre bookings under your belt. Remmeber – not everyone books based on price! And often times those who do, won’t be your best clients.

Happy Sitting!