Start a cat-sitting business - any suggestions?

[Don Juan's mom]

Hey gang:

I was laid off from my job in November, and since then NOTHING but two days of temping and a couple of odd jobs. Some friends I cat-sit for suggested that I could do cat-sitting for income, at least temporarily.

I'm sure my friends would be willing to give me a reference, and I think I could get one from my vet, too. (Don Juan and Zerlina are both healthy.)

Any suggestions? Going rate per day/week? Advertising?

[Freedom]

You will have the person bring their cat to you? Or you go to the cat's home once per day?

If the cat is in your home, is it in a kennel with free time, or is it free roam of the house?

I've seen it done both ways, so I'm not sure what you are offering for a service.

[cassiesmom]

My cat sitter charges $18 per visit and usually visits once a day. She feeds Cassie and puts fresh water in her bowl, and eyeballs the litter box to make sure it's being used (poop scoops, too, if necessary). She usually hangs around a little while, too. I try to have iced tea or pop on hand and she knows to help herself to the TV and the fridge.

[columbine]

Make a web page specifically for your cat-sitting business, and ask each of your customers for a quick quote and whether it's OK to use their name or just their town (e.g. "Reliable, my cat liked her right away" - Greenville, 2008). Make up business cards with the URL of your cat-sitting page and a list of towns you'll sit in, and ask your vet if it's OK to leave business cards on the counter in her office. Change out the signature quote in your email for a quick blurb for your service, with the URL.

Love, Columbine

[krazyaboutkatz]

What a great idea. I've often thought about doing a pet sitting business on the side but then I probably wouldn't be able to spend as much time with my cats. When I've been pet sitting for friends, I don't charge anything. They just take me out to dinner later on so I really don't know what the going rate would be. Maybe you could call a few pet sitting places and pretend that you want them to take care of your cats so you can find out what they charge etc. Good luck.

You could advertise for free on Craig's list.

[Laura's Babies]

Gee, I wish you lived close to me!!