I'm thinking of starting a petsitting/doggy daycare. My thinking is that I can offer the same services that most others do for a lower price. Also, I'd like to offer services to breed rescues for a cut rate. Any advice or suggestions?

Make sure that all animals coming to you are current on their rabies shots and that they are friendly to children and other animals (if you have your own pets at home). I'd also require owners to provide you with access to their vets info in the event of an emergency. Have the owners bring the animals own toys, food and something with the smell of home for nervous doggies or kitties. If you are comfortable, you could also offer to bathe, groom or walk them for exercise. These are things I did when providing in-home care to animals a few years ago. I built a great clientele by word of mouth.

Rayven,
I gave you a long answer in the Chat Boards. For some reason, I can't paste it in here, so you'll have to look over there. Sandy

I found it. Thanks Sandy. Provided that my neighbors agree, I'm going to try and start the process the beginning of next year.

I am in the UK so it may be different here.

I take two extra dogs in at any one time for boarding, I have an insurance for third party damage. I check that the dogs will get on with my 9 dogs before they come and that the people are happy with the set up.

They fill in a form saying that they understand that their dog will be treated as mine are and will be mixing freely with them. Also has emergency numbers on it, any special instructions/medication and they also sign to say they are happy for the dog to be treated at my vets in an emergency. That has only happened once and it happened to be their vet anyway!

I am happier if the dogs are ok with cats (as I have a cat) but if they are not I can deal with it.

They provide their own food. they are sometimes run in a field with my dogs and sometimes they just have the run of the 1/2 acre garden.

I have never yet refused a dog but I do have dogs I look forward to more than others (G)!

I charge more for dogs under 6mths as they do take a lot more time and energy.

I don't check vaccinations but we don't have rabies here

I don't make a living from it but it helps pay my vets bills!

lynn

I was also going to mention insurance, most important.

Rayven, I have a friend that lives in Denver that does/did pet sitting as her own business. I'm sure she'd be able to give some tips, especially since you live in the same general area. If you'd like, I can PM her email adress if you want to get in touch with her.

You might also check the ordinances in your particular city. It is possible that there is an ordinance banning business in a residential area. I'm just presuming that you intend to do this out of your home. Also, any business license that is needed, tax forms for city, state, federal. You'll probably need a tax ID number and all that "stuff." Don't forget you have to pay both "halves" of social security since you are both owner and employee. It is also possible you have to pay unemployment taxes in your area. And taxes need to be paid quarterly. Can't forget that one.

Absolutely require proof of vaccinations, including kennel cough, rabies, and distemper. And, feline aids. Also, if animals don't get along with each other, you may need kennels (especially if you are sitting both cats and dogs at the same time).

Keep track of expenses -- things that would be deductible on taxes for a business. Maybe google "Small Business Administration" for additional information.

There are very many things to think about when operating a business, for that is what it really is, even if you only sit 1 or 2 pets at a time. My husband works out of our home and there are so many things to take into consideration. One needs to keep track of everything on paper.

Best of luck rayven.

Lots of good advice here. I might add that there are a lot of good books that you can find at the library about starting your own business that can be very helpful in pointing out things you may not think of.

I worked for a pet sitting company for awhile. I loved taking care of the pets, but some of the owners...well, let's just say I far preferred their pets. People can get downright weird when it comes to their animals. I love my pets like family, but they really are not little people.

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. A breeder friend just decided to get out of rescue, on account of having to put down two rescue dogs and one off her own within a month, so she's going to give away her spare runs. I'm hoping to get a few and maybe get started by a word of mouth type of thing.