Share This Page

Tweet

There’s great truth to the statement, “There’s strength in numbers.” Pet sitting can be lonely. And whether you are just starting your pet-sitting business or are a pet-care veteran, you have questions—and there’s no one better to help answer your questions and share in your daily challenges and joys than a fellow pet sitter. 

PSI members have a network of nearly 7,000 fellow PSI members and pet-sitting business owners, and PSI is always looking for ways to help our members connect with one another. From PSI’s annual conference to the private Facebook chat group, PSI is always seeking out new avenues to allow our members to find support, advice and new ideas from fellow pet sitters. 

PSI’s Pet Sitter Spotlight series has that same goal. Each month, we’ll feature a different PSI member and share his or her answers to our pet-sitting survey. The responses will help you get to “know” this pet sitter and provide you with some tips and advice for your own pet-sitting business. You can view past Pet Sitter Spotlights here.

PSI members, if you are interested in being considered for a PSI Pet Sitter Spotlight, complete this questionnaire.

Meet April Mauney, owner of Lucy's Friends Pet Sitting in Greensboro, N.C.:

Your Name: April Mauney

Business Name: Lucy's Friends Pet Sitting

Location: Greensboro, N.C.

Year you started your pet-sitting business: 2003

What was your previous job/profession? Ministry

What is your current business structure? LLC

Number of current clients: 250

How many visits do you typically do per day?10

Is your service area urban, suburban or rural? Suburban

Is your pet-sitting business insured? Yes

How long did it take you to build up your clientele? Two years

Do you use staff sitters? Yes, ICs.

Do you offer any services besides basic in the client's home pet sitting and dog walking? (pet taxi, etc.) Care for special-needs pets.

What educational opportunities have you taken advantage of since becoming a pet sitter?
PSI's Certification Program, conferences, webinars, classes at the Red Cross.

Which advertising methods worked best when you were a new business? 
Referrals from vets and rescue groups.

Do you still use the same advertising methods? No. I sponsor charity events like races and golf tournaments as my "advertising".

What's one mistake you've made as a professional pet sitter (when you were just starting out or at any time during your career)? 

I didn't go to a scheduled sit because I had the dates wrong. Since then I send out confirmations before a client travels.

What advice would you give to new pet sitters? 

Plan to have a part-time job while you're building your business!

Are there any must-have business tools your business could not do without?
Day planner, keys, Power Pet Sitter.

Do you schedule vacation time and/or days off? Occasionally. When I do, I notify my clients in advance.

Are there any tips you would share for establishing a healthy work-life balance? I'm still learning how to do that!

Is there any other information about your business and/or what has helped you create a successful pet-sitting business that you'd like to share? I am detail oriented, treat my clients like I want to be treated, and I don't nickel and dime them to death. I have simple, straightforward prices and focus on very tailored pet care.