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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 Jessica Frale, owner of Spoiled Rotten Pooches, LLC, in New Lenox, Ill.

Your Name: Jessica Frale

Business Name: Spoiled Rotten Pooches, LLC

Location: New Lenox, Ill.

Year you started your pet-sitting business: 2015

What was your previous job/profession? Regional Administrator

What is your current business structure? LLC

Number of current clients: 20

How many visits do you typically do per day? 7

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? About a year.

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 offer pet taxi, multi-sensory field trips and just recently purchased a good, portable Sony CD system to utilize for music therapy using the clinically demonstrate, "Through a Dog's Ear" cd collection. This collection has been clinically demonstrated to calm 80% of the dog's exposed to this music and relaxes dogs with anxiety issues.

What educational opportunities have you taken advantage of since becoming a pet sitter?
I am certified in Pet CPR & First Aid and just became a Certified Professional Pet Sitter through PSI.

Which advertising methods worked best when you were a new business? 
I found that the old saying, " don't put all your eggs in one basket" is very true. I started out doing postcard mailing using the targeted EDDM marketing through the United States Postal Service. I also networked with a local vet, distributed rack cards to local vets, groomers and pet food stores. I also purchased car magnets and more recently large, bold, white lettering for the rear window of my car that lists my website one the first line and pet sitting & dog walking on the second line. I have found that the most cost effective way of marketing has been the lettering in my rear car window. It was purchased for $10.

Do you still use the same advertising methods? 

Now, my weekly clients are just about at a max so, I do not do any expensive advertising such as postcard mailings anymore. I have found that the lettering in my rear window works fantastic and there is no longer a need to spend hundreds of dollars on postcards.

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)? 

In the very beginning, I never walked the perimeter of a fenced yard at the consultation. After doing some sits for a few clients, it became apparent that many fence structures were not completely secure. Now, I always walk the perimeter of a fenced yard. If it is not completely secure, the owner has 2 choices: sign a non-leash waiver to let their dog in their yard or their dog must be leashed in their fenced yard if there are compromises in the integrity of their fencing structure. I've learned not to leave myself open to ANY situations where there may be increased safety risks or opening myself up to liability.

What advice would you give to new pet sitters? 

Always put the safety of the animals in your care and the integrity of your business at the top of your priority list.

Are there any must-have business tools your business could not do without?
I am constantly educating myself. I think each one of us holds responsibility in advancing this profession. No one is going to be able to advance this profession except the pet sitters themselves. If we do not take our profession seriously, how is anyone else supposed to. The business tools that I could not do without are my credentials and the valuable educational materials that come from a PSI membership. It is what is going to make you stand out from your competition, it and what is going to make you a stellar steward to animals and it is the only thing that is going to advance this profession as a whole so that the profession of pet sitting can attain the respect it deserves.

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

To new pet sitters, if you want to be successful, you will have to work extremely hard your first year in. But, it is important to at least schedule one day a month of me time so you do not burnout. Secondly, never take on more than you can do on the pet sitting end of things.

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 was absolutely determined to succeed so, my entire first year was spent networking and investing money on the advertising end. I left a job that was very lucrative on paper because I was miserable. So, decided to leave that job, pursue my passion, hire myself and never look back. The first year was a lot of hard work but, the fruits of my labor have paid off. I nearly have a full mid-day client roster and am extremely happy at what I do. I truly love this profession!