About a month ago, I received an email from Stephanie Cimmarusti, the owner of Ascension Kennels in Pilot Hill, CA.   She’s been breeding dachshunds and pet sitting in her area, but was trying to build up her boarding business and wanted to get together, talk shop and see if we can help each other out.

Stephanie of Ascension Kennels

I’m always eager to help and get to know other pet sitters, so we set a date for me to come up and see her property.  Pilot Hill is almost an hour from Folsom in the hills, nestled in the Oak trees with panoramic views.

I was a little nervous about driving up there, but was comforted by my trusty travel companions, Dutch and Kaylee, and we all set out for a day in the country.

As I started down Salmon Falls Road, I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was.  It was a perfect spring day, the hills were a bright green with sprawling ranches scattered throughout the countryside, and I was groovin’ to the tunes in my car.  (Do people still say groovin’?).  I was going into that state of gratitude for being able to enjoy this wonderful adventure.

Everything was going great, but of course, being (which I now can’t deny) “direction challenged” took a wrong turn and knew that I was not going in the direction that I needed to.  The road was getting narrower and narrower and paving was hit and miss.

Me chilling on a hammock. Do I have to leave??!!

I remembered that I just got one of those new Android phones with GPS  and thought I’d give it a try.  You guessed it, there wasn’t any reception.  So I started down the road to start all over from the main highway.  I finally got reception and called Stephanie.

Two of the Doxies

She eventually had to come find me and bring me to her house as I was getting low on gas!  I’m glad she did because the dirt road to her house would have been too much for my bucket of bolts car.  BTW, Stephanie provides transportation to her house if you don’t want to brave the dirt road.

Just so you know, MapQuest was off by 4 miles which was why I couldn’t find her road.  Just thought I’d mention that.

Once we got there, we were greeted by her adorable 13 week old dachshund puppies that are for sale.  They had never seen another dog before, so Dutch and Kaylee caused quite of stir.  They soon settled down and we were able to look over the place.

My trusted travel companions - Kayee and Dutch

Stephanie, who is a licensed Vet Tech and groomer, envisions her boarding facility to be more of a rustic, back to nature environment for the dogs.  They have tons of room to run and play with plenty of shade from the big Oak trees.  She plans weekend events such as scavenger hunts, Easter egg hunts and pie eating contests!  She also provides nature walks through her wooded property.  Stephanie would like this it to be a fun, safe place for your dogs.

Where the dogs can play

Eventually, she would like to be able to board 20 dogs at a time where they will sleep in climate controlled housing and expand the amount of acreage the dogs can play in.  Since she is a Vet Tech, she can care for any medical need or physical therapy your pet may need.  She’ll even cook for your pets!!  How great is that.  In addition, she can come to your home to care for your pets provided you live in Pilot Hill, Cool, Georgetown, Auburn and the surrounding areas.   I could see that Stephanie is a loving, caring person that genuinely cares for all animals.

This is the view from Stephanie's front yard!

If you have friends in her area, please give her a call at (530)906-4334 and help her build her vision of her “dog haven in the hills”.

So, it was time to bring me to my car which was on the side of the road to start my journey back home.  She told me I could get gas in Cool which was in the opposite way back home.  I got my gas and stopped at Subway to eat and was on my way.

With my tank full , my belly full and Dutch and Kaylee chillin’ in the back seat, I was reflecting on all the emails I will need to answer when I got home and all the work that wasn’t done today.  But the way I see it, making a new friend and being able to experience a new place and beautiful scenery is good for the soul and gave me a short break to fuel my spirit.  The work will always be there!

To view all the photos, please go to my facebook page. Friend me!!

The airline flight is booked, the hotel is waiting for your arrival and you’re all pack to go on your wonderful vacation!  In all your reveling, you look down to see your precious pup looking up at you and you suddenly realize that you forgot to get a pet sitter to watch over your pet!

At this point you have 3 options to ponder over:

Get a neighbor to come over a few times a day or have them keep them at their house.  If you don’t know that many people or don’t want to impose on your friends, this may be an undesirable option.

Put them in a kennel at the dog hotel or veterinarian’s office.  However, thinking about your pet in a cage or kennel while you’re whiling away the hours on a beach may cause stress and ruin your vacation due to excessive worrying about their well being.

Find a professional pet sitter to come watch them at your house or board them at the sitter’s home.  Personally, this is the best option for your pet.  Not only are they looked after by a professional that knows how to care for pets, but you can relax and have a great time!

However, not all pet sitters are equal.  So, how do you evaluate and choose a pet sitter?

I’m assuming that you want to hire a professional pet sitter and not a neighbors child or teenager.  This can spell disaster and not worth your peace of mind.

Start by going to the Pet Sitter’s International (PSI) or NAPPS websites and find a pet sitter in your area in their directory.  PSI and NAPPS are probably the best known pet sitter associations and offer education about pets, marketing and business practices.  They are dedicated to providing the best the industry has to offer.  I’m a member of PSI and we have to abide by a Code of Conduct for Pet Sitters.  Most pet sitters that belong to these kinds of organizations, are professional and conduct themselves as such, but there are always a few bad apples.

Make sure they are licensed, insured and bonded. In my city, there really isn’t a “pet sitting license”, but I do have a business license to run my pet sitting business.  Insurance is a must.  If anything happens to your pets or home while you’re away and it’s the sitters fault, they can file a claim with their insurance company and reimburse you.  Bonding is really more for peace of mind to the client.  The bonding protects the pet sitter and you from loss as a result of theft committed by the sitter, it’s employees or independent contractors.

Do they have a website that you can look at to read testimonials, check out their services and prices and generally get a feel for what they’re like.

Once you’ve chosen a sitter, give them a call.  If you have to leave a message, how long did it take to call you back? They should return your call within 24 hours or less.  If they don’t, move on.  This could be a red flag for disorganization and things can fall through the cracks.

Are they upbeat and positive when you connect on the phone?  Don’t use them if you even sense that they are, what I call, “drama people”.  They should be willing and happy to help you with your pet’s care. 

Do they have established service fees and length of time for the pet care?

If the sitter is a sole proprietor, what is their back up plan if they get sick or can’t get to your home?

How much experience does the sitters have with your type of pet?  I was talking to a potential client about watching her horses.  I’m sure I could have done the job, but I referred her to another sitter that I know does farm animals.  The reason I turned it down was in case the horse had a medical problem that I wasn’t able to detect because I’m not familiar with equine medical issues.

Do they have proper contracts and forms to get all the information they need to care for your pets properly?  They should have forms for Client Information, Pet Information, Vet Release Forms (discuss what happens if your pet has a medical emergency), Contracts spelling out what is and is not expected, and Emergency Contact Information in case the sitter cannot get a hold of you for guidance in making medical or emergency decisions.  They should also leave a report card to let you know how things went.

Most sitters insist on a consultation before the service to meet you and your pets.  To me this is crucial.  This is the point when you can evaluate how the potential sitter interacts with your pets.  If they come in and barely acknowledge your pets, don’t use them.  Sitters are true animal lovers and they should be paying a lot of attention to them.  This also establishes a rapport with your pets so that they feel comfortable with the sitter as well.

They should be willing to give you references. Check them!  Don’t just assume because they give you a few names that they are legit.

Just remember that until you actually hire the sitter, you are under no obligation to use them.  If after meeting them you feel even the least bit unsure, don’t hire them.  This is where you really need to use your gut.  It’s usually right and your pets are relying on you to find a caring sitter to take care of them.

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another

Waggy’s Eco Smart Pet Products

Waggy’s Pet Sitting Service

In June, it will be my 5th anniversary for being in the pet sitting business and most of that time, I’m been boarding dogs in my home.  Yes, you heard me right, my own home.  That’s why I’m a crazy, mad pet sitter!

Dylan in pool with Dogs

Periodically I get calls from people that want to become a pet sitter and are looking for advice on what it’s like and which direction to go.  In this post, I’m going to concentrate what it’s REALLY like to have dogs stay in your home without cages or kennels.

In the beginning, I did everything, from staying overnight at the client’s home, visits to boarding dogs.  Being the homebody that I am, it soon became apparent that I prefer to have the dogs at home with me.  My clients love the fact that their dog is with a family getting attention 24 hours a day. If you had the choice of a kennel or a family watching your dog and spoiling them rotten, which would you choose?

The mission of my business is to have my clients feel absolutely worry free about their pets while they are basking in the sun on a beach in some exotic country.  It’s the best feeling in the world when they tell us that they didn’t worry the whole time they were gone!

For this post, I’m going to concentrate on the pros of dog boarding.  Please read this and my next post to fully comprehend both sides of the story.

The Pros of Private Dog Boarding:

1. You can work from home. This is great if you have young children or retired. However, you must screen for aggressive dog behavior before you take them in.  Always have a consultation in your home first to access the dog for any unwanted behavior.
   

   Me with Cooper

2. There is less competition.  Most sitters do pet visits at the clients homes and don’t provide boarding.  You can carve a nice niche for yourself.
3. You can regulate how many dogs you have at a time.  If you don’t have help, my advice is only take in as many dogs as you can walk at one time.  Please check with your city’s regulations on the amount of dogs you can have overnight.
4. You can get to know the dogs on a deeper level.  Consequently, the more they get to know you, the more relaxed and better behaved they are.  Their comfort level rises and they’re more calm.   After awhile, they feel like your own dog which is a wonderful thing.
5. You don’t have to drive around town to visit the pets – they come to you.  Some pet sitters have several visits a day and can spend a full day on the road.  When the price of gas goes up, that effects your bottom line.
6. There is an enormous need for private boarding.  Once they find out about you, they will never go back to using kennels.  You are providing a safe, loving environment for the dogs, and for the client, it’s a dream come true which is a good selling point.
7. You will get to know many different breeds of dogs and their behavior characteristics.  This true for any service you do, but you’ll have a deeper understanding when you can observe them for longer periods of time.
8. You’ll have the funniest stories and memories to talk about.  You can just watch a Bulldog for entertainment!  Dogs can be a blast to be around and bring so much joy into your life.
   

   Me with Kayla and Thanda Chillin'

9. You can also do Dog Day Care to supplement your income.  Pet Sitting is very cyclical and Dog Day Care can fill in those gaps.  You can have more during the day, but not all will spend the night.
10. 10.  If you are fortunate to live on acreage, you could set up outside provisions for the dogs.  Maybe a climate controlled building and fenced in space for the dogs to run and play.  Again, please check with your cities regulations.
11. 11.  And last, but not least, the best reason of all –  you will get unconditional love all day long!   And that, my friends is what pet sitting is all about!

You can only be in the pet sitting business if you have a deep love for animals.  It’s not all just playing and loving on the dogs – it’s a business and they don’t always behave like you want them to. So,  with that said, stay tuned for the Cons of Private Dog Boarding you may not feel so warm and fuzzy as you do now.

Now go out and throw your dog a bone!

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another

Waggy’s Eco Pet Products

Waggy’s Pet Sitting Service

Waggy’s Pet Tips and Tales Blog

If you’re considering becoming a pet sitter, one of the first (of many) things you need to decide is what kind of pet services you want to offer your clients.

That's Me with some of my boarding dogs

There are many possibilities such as:

1.  Dog Boarding – the pet stay’s in the sitters home

2.  In Home Pet Sitting – the sitter visits the pet in their own home

3.  Overnight Pet Sitting – the sitter spends the night at the pet’s home

4.  Dog Walking – Sometimes called daily’s – the sitter walks the dogs on an on-going basis

5.  Dog Day Care – the sitter watches the pet for the day in their own home

6.  Pet Taxi – the sitter escorts the pet to the Vet, groomers, etc.

7.  Pooper Scooper – self explanatory!

8.  Barnyard Pet Sitting – the sitter visits local ranches or farms

9.  or, create your own combination or niche.

It’s a good idea to check out your competition and what would work in your area.  For instance, you wouldn’t say that your specialize in horses when you live in Manhattan.  I  don’t think you’d last very long.

You need to be honest with yourself just how much time you want to spend pet sitting and what kind of pet sitting services you want to offer.  Not all pet sitters offer the same thing.  Some do it all and some only offer the services that they enjoy the most.  In doing the services you enjoy, it will make for a more pleasant experience and one that you’ll want to do for years to come.

Finding a unique niche where the competition is not as fierce is another consideration.  For instance, my pet sitting business – Waggy’s Pet Sitting, specializes in Cage Free Dog Boarding.  There aren’t a lot of pet sitter that are brave or crazy enough to offer this service.  I will go into detail about dog boarding in another post.

If you are completely new to pet sitting, I would recommend offering many different kinds of services not only to bring in more revenue, but to decide for yourself which ones to keep and which ones to throw out.  I have done them all (except barnyard animals) and have weeded out the services I didn’t care for.  Make pet sitting fit into your lifestyle, not the other way around.  This is your business and you decide what you want to do.

If you are serious about becoming a pet sitter, you need to treat it as a business and not just a hobby.  There is so much that goes into running a successful pet sitting business and it’s not just about playing and loving the animals, however, that is the best part!

Next in this series, we will examine the Pros and Cons of Dog Boarding.  To view Part 1 of this series, please go to my blog post “Do I have what it takes to work with animals?”

Now go out and hug your dog!

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover To Another

http://www.waggysecopetproducts.com

Http://www.waggyspetsitting.com

http://www.waggyspettipsandtales.com

Beeeeep, Beeeeep your alarm clock goes on.  You slip out of bed, put on your clothes, brush your teeth, grab something to eat and head out the door to start your day.  You’re first stop is with Fred the cutest Cocker Spaniel you’ve ever seen.  You let him out to go potty, give him a smooch and a hug.  Feed him and your off on your walk.  It’s a beautiful spring morning – the birds are singing and the sky is bright blue without a cloud in the sky.  You put your headphones on and listen to your favorite songs.  Finish up with Fred and you’re off to another home.  This time it’s with Oscar the Cat who hisses at you when you try to come close.  You keep trying until he finally lets you give him a quick rub behind the ears.  Clean the litter box, feed him, water the plants in the back yard and your off again.

This is the life of a professional pet sitter. Of course the weather may not be as clear and the cat may never let you touch him, but essentially, that’s how it goes.

Since I started Waggy’s Pet Sitting a few years ago, I’ve discovered three things:

1. Dogs will always go potty on my rugs instead of the tile

2. Dog bring out the absolute best in me, and

3. Pet owners will go to any length to make sure their pets are happy and healthy

So many people tell me I have the best job in the world. I get to play with dogs and cats all day. Well, it is fantastic, but it’s like anything else; it’s definitely a business too. Actually, it’s one of the fastest growing industries in the United States despite the recession.

So, do you think you have what it takes to be a pet sitter?

I’ve had my own pet sitting business for over 4 years and I can tell you from experience that it can be one of the most rewarding careers you can have.  Over the course of this series, you’ll not only know if you still want to be a pet sitter, but you’ll know what direction you want to take your business in.

We’ll explore the different services you can offer and get a real life pros and cons of each.  From in home pet sitting, daycare for dogs to boarding services in your own home.

Being a pet sitter can have its challenges, so it’s important that you have the right qualities to make your business flourish.

Now go give your dog, cat or lizard a big kiss and we’ll talk later

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another

Waggy’s Eco Pet Products

Waggy’s Pet Sitting