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You love pets and you’ve decided that starting a pet-care business is your new career goal, but how much will it cost to start your business? It’s a question that all pet-loving entrepreneurs should carefully consider before launching their companies.

While professional pet sitting has lower start-up costs than many business ventures, starting your pet-sitting service isn’t as simple as posting your services online and accepting payments to watch dogs and cats. To be a true professional, you need to take steps to establish your business, invest in education and put safeguards in place (such as liability insurance and bonding) to protect yourself, your company and your clients.

Here are 16 common start-up costs for pet-sitting businesses:

1. Association membership

Association membership isn’t free, but it more than pays for itself by providing you with access to valuable business tools and resources to help you grow your business. By joining a pet-sitter association like Pet Sitters International, you will receive members-only perks, exclusive advertising and networking opportunities, access to the latest in education and industry research, and added exposure for your business.

Click here to view the benefits of joining Pet Sitters International.

2. Educational and training programs

You want to provide the best possible care for pets, so set aside money to invest in education. Complete a pet first aid training course, and consider enrolling in some of PSI’s online courses, like Professional Pet Sitting as a Career. For experienced pet sitters, PSI offers the CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter^® Exam. A variety of other educational opportunities are available, such as PSI’s free member webinars and PSI’s annual Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo, where you can learn from pet experts and experienced pet sitters.

3. Business license

Operating a legally-compliant business is a must—not a maybe—so check to see if your city, county and/or state have any business license requirements for pet-care businesses and factor in those costs. Depending on where you live, you may also need a home occupation permit before a local government will issue you a business license for a home-based business.

4. Name registration

Before settling on a business name, do your research to make sure the name is not already in use and trademarked by another business. You don’t want to learn later—after you have already started building brand awareness—that you will have to change your name.

Once you settle on a business name and determine its availability, be sure to register it with your local and state government, if applicable. It’s also a good idea to pursue a federal trademark. An attorney can help you with these steps. Read this post on tips for selecting and protecting your pet-sitting business name.

5. Attorney fees

An attorney can help you with some of the important tasks of setting up your business, such as registering your business name, setting up your business’ legal structure and developing and/or reviewing your business forms.

Paying legal fees at the outset can save you from making mistakes that will cost you down the road. Even if you plan on handling some of these steps on your own, you should consider investing in a consultation with an attorney. This can provide you with valuable insight.

6. Accountant fees

Unless you’re already an accountant or bookkeeper, you will probably want to hire one to help with your record keeping. An accountant can help you set up your books, do your payroll and apply for the necessary identification numbers.

Be sure to choose an accountant with small-business experience, and inquire about fees, which can vary greatly. Ask other small-business owners in your community for recommendations before selecting an accountant.

7. Insurance

Securing pet-sitter liability insurance is one of the most important steps you will take for your business. As with other careers, there are risks associated with professional pet sitting, and accidents can happen—from injuries to pets to damage to clients’ property. Make sure you are covered.

Also take into account any other coverage you may need, such as disability income insurance, coverage for your company automobile and workers compensation.

PSI members in the U.S. and Canada have access to group-rate liability insurance and bonding, and U.S. members have access to health insurance services and short-term disability coverage.

8. Dishonesty bond

You know that you’re honest (and if you plan on hiring employees, you hope they will be as well), but your potential clients don’t know that for sure. Bonding provides coverage against dishonest acts, such as theft, by you or an employee (and with some policies, Independent Contractors as well). The cost of bonding is relatively inexpensive, and it gives your client peace of mind and helps you stand out from the competition.

9. Background check

Not only do background checks provide peace of mind to potential clients, but they have also become standard in the workforce. And if you plan to contract with or employ any other sitters when you start your business, you should make sure you have proof of clear criminal history for them as well.

PSI members, log in to the Members area to learn more about PSI member discounts through ACUTRAQ, PSI’s Preferred Provider for background checks.

10. Pet-sitting service contract

When you bring on new clients, you will need to do more than simply explain your services and jot down notes about their pets. You will need a pet-sitting service contract, or service agreement, that clearly outlines the services you will provide, limitations and information about the clients’ pets and homes.

This is a legal document, so don’t just write a contract yourself or download a free one from the internet. Invest in having an attorney review it.

This previous PSI blog post shares six items your pet-sitting contract should include and PSI also has a pet-sitting service contract available for purchase.

11. Bank charges for a business account

What bank will you use to handle your business account, and what fees will you have to pay for the account? Ask other small-business owners who they trust with their finances and who has the best programs and rates for small businesses. Consider other factors, such as convenience, hours of operation, etc.

12. Separate business phone line

Whether it’s a landline or a cell phone, it is a good idea to create a separate business line for your company. Not only will it contribute to the professionalism of your business, but it will spare you from having customers and potential customers call your personal number at all hours of the night.

13. Internet connection fee

Likewise, you may need to set up an internet connection at your home office or business office. In today’s web-driven world, you will likely want to promote your business heavily online through a business website and social-media pages. High-speed internet is a good investment for your business.

14. Business supplies

Take time to list the various business supplies that you will need to operate your business, such as a computer, file cabinets, basic office supplies and software (e.g. payment processing apps, scheduling software, etc.).

15. Advertising expenses

You may be poised to offer the best services in town, but how will potential clients learn about you? Consider the advertising methods you will want to use for your new business, and calculate the related expenses. Your advertising costs may include website design and hosting; business cards; printed promotional materials; paid newspaper, magazine or radio advertisements; sponsored posts on social media; etc. This free resource from PSI shares the top-five advertising methods used by professional pet sitters.

16. Miscellaneous expenses

You may want to factor other expenses into your start-up cost total. For example, you will likely be driving more as a pet sitter, so you may want to include automobile tune-up on your list. Maybe you will need to purchase more comfortable shoes to wear while walking dogs.

Please note: This list is just an example of potential costs for starting a professional pet-sitting business. Start-up needs and associated costs may vary.

Visit petsit.com to download the free Start-Up Costs Checklist for Pet Sitters.

The good news is there is great earning potential for professional pet sitters! You just have to calculate the initial costs and understand that building up a client base in your service area may take some time.

Pet sitters, are there any other start-up costs that you had to take into account when forming your pet-sitting business? Share in the comments below.

Additional resources:

Start-up costs and other important tips are covered in The Professional Pet Sitter's Startup Guide, available through PSI.

As you research starting your own professional pet-sitting or dog-walking business, you may find these resources helpful as well:

• 2019 Pet-Sitting Industry Forecast
• 5 Must-Do Steps for Starting a Successful Professional Pet-Sitting Business
• Finding the Right Pet-Sitter Insurance

PSI members, log in to the Members area of www.petsit.com to access additional free Ebooks, white papers and downloads. Not a member? Join today or contact PSI to learn more.