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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 Ed Newbegin, owner of Friends of Bill Pet Sitting, Concord, Calif.

Your Name: Ed Newbegin

Business Name: Friends of Bill Pet Sitting

Location: Concord, Calif.

Year you started your pet-sitting business: 2004

What was your previous job/profession? Pet food store manager

What is your current business structure? Sole proprietor

Number of current clients: 170

How many visits do you typically do per day? 10-15

Is your service area urban, suburban or rural? Suburban

Is your pet-sitting business insured and bonded? Yes

Do you provide proof of your clear criminal background check to clients? Yes

How long did it take you to build up your clientele? My business was self sufficient by 2006.

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.) Yes, I also offer in my home pet boarding.

What educational opportunities have you taken advantage of since becoming a pet sitter?
Consultant Instructor Training Academy through the Marin Humane Society

Which advertising methods worked best when you were a new business? 
Craigslist, flyers at pet food stores and vet offices

Do you still use the same advertising methods? I only use Yelp! now.

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)? 

First starting out, I needed to keep better track of assignments so I wouldn't forget them.

What advice would you give to new pet sitters? 

Be patient. Have a good cash reserve or a decent part-time job to pay bills while you build clientele.

Are there any must-have business tools your business could not do without? My daily planner

Do you schedule vacation time and/or days off? 2-3 weeks per year. Usually two separate time periods.

Are there any tips you would share for establishing a healthy work-life balance? 

See slow periods as an opportunity to do something with family members. Don't stress if things aren't happening as quickly as you would like.

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?
There are many more people out there who need care than there are providing it. Be kind to your competitors and believe in yourself. Don't ever trash talk them. Leave a client's home the way you would like to see it if the roles were reversed.