Dog and Pet Boarding Social Groups – PocketSuite https://pocketsuite.io Sat, 21 Aug 2021 22:47:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://pocketsuite.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cropped-cropped-app_logo-192x192-1-32x32.png Dog and Pet Boarding Social Groups – PocketSuite https://pocketsuite.io 32 32 How to Become a Pet Boarder https://pocketsuite.io/post/how-to-become-a-pet-boarder/ https://pocketsuite.io/post/how-to-become-a-pet-boarder/#respond Sun, 18 Jul 2021 11:49:00 +0000 https://pocketsuite.io/?p=17646 Pet boarders make it possible for humans to leave their animal friends in good care while they travel. Many vacation destinations do not allow pets, while navigating airports and airplanes is often impractical with an animal.

Pug posing with a sweater on

That’s where pet boarders provide a valuable service. The key difference between pet boarding and similar services, such as pet sitting, is the animal is cared for in a secure facility away from home. While some people may prefer a pet sitter who comes to the home their pets are accustomed to and where they might be more comfortable in familiar surroundings, pet sitting is not always an option or even the best choice.

If a working professional gets marching orders from the boss to take a business trip on short notice, a pet sitter may not be available, whereas you can almost always check pets into a boarding facility. Other factors where boarding is the better choice include weather conditions. If someone is traveling in winter and a major snowstorm hits, the pet sitter may not be able to reach the house where the pet is staying. Worse, a power outage caused by a storm would leave animals without heat in the house. For these and other reasons, pet boarding remains a great business with consistent demand.

Pet boarders keep regular schedules to satisfy the instructions of the pet owner. Animals get regular exercise, play time, treats and affection. Their training includes first aid and emergency care, which provide pet owners with peace of mind while they are away.

Pet boarders also make a good income while working with animals to make them as comfortable and happy as possible while their human “parents” are elsewhere. It’s a satisfying and financially rewarding career for people who enjoy working with animals. If that sounds appealing, read on to discover what’s involved in becoming a pet boarder.

In this article you’ll learn:

  • How much money you can make as a pet boarder
  • The required training and certifications
  • Professional groups to join
  • Employment opportunities for pet boarders
  • Finding clients
  • Plus helpful tips

How much money can you make?

Pet boarders typically set their rates based by the day, night, week and month. The national average is $25 a day, $40 for overnight, about $150 for a week or $500 a month. Fees may or may not include food, treats and play toys. Additional services such as training and dog walking are usually provided at additional cost.  Some pets have special dietary requirements or are accustomed to a particular brand of food, in which case their owners should be expected to provide a supply of food for the duration of the pet’s boarding. It is also the owner’s responsibility to bring any medicines prescribed for the pet.

Husky looking up while lounging on the floor

Individuals who run their own boarding business and care for multiple pets at a time will make the most money in this career. Those who board pets in their own homes can make a good income as a said business.

Training and Certification

Anyone can set up a business as a pet boarder. There are no specific licensing requirements beyond purchasing a basic business license, which all states require to sell services and products to the public. You may also need a local permit to provide animal care, but that’s it.

Still, training and certification promotes confidence, both in yourself and your customers. An accredited pet boarding service has a competitive advantage over boarders that are not accredited. Think about it. Given the option, which one would you entrust to care for your pet?

Small dog sitting in a man's lap

You can start with an animal care certificate from the local community college or work with a veterinary office or a pet boarding facility. Formal training is available online and through in-person programs, with costs as low as $130.

Here’s a directory of training programs for pet boarding you can review as you evaluate your options.

Some of what you can expect to learn in training:

  • Setting up an overnight boarding business
  • Caring for pets
  • Working with different animals and breeds
  • First aid for animals in distress
  • Basic training for dogs
  • Managing catteries
  • Grooming skills
  • Hiring and supervising staff
  • Communicating effectively with pet owners
  • Basic business skills

If you plan to open your own boarding facility, consider applying for an endorsement from the Professional Animal Care Certification Council. The council’s mission “is to bring independent testing and certification to the pet care services industry.” Professionals that pass stringent testing, which reflects a broad knowledge of animal care, receive a 3-year certification. There are three levels of PACCC certification: Certified Professional Animal Care Provider, Manager and Operator. Once you’re in, your business will also be listed on the council’s online directory of certified pet boarders and you’ll be able to use this designation on marketing materials.

Here’s a list of more than a dozen pet boarder training programs and schools to help you get started.

Small puppy with red collar walking away from bowl

Professional Groups to Join

Membership in professional organizations shows you are serious about your career. Customers and potential employers look favorably on these affiliations. The benefits to you include networking with other pros in your field, learning about job opportunities, gaining access to continuing education materials and, with some organizations, the opportunity to purchase affordable liability insurance at group rates.

The International Boarding and Pet Services Association offers information on business assets, industry mastery, staff education and training, accreditations, and authoritative help for the pet services industry. Members include the owners and employees of pet boarding offices, dog walkers, pet sitters, veterinarians, trainers and pet suppliers. Benefits include training and certification programs, a listing on their searchable online directory of pet boarders, industry news, workshops and an annual conference. A membership costs $302 per year.

French bulldog wearing a sweatshirt looking back at the camera

The Association of Animal Behavior Professionals (AABP) was founded as a professional association and certifying body supporting a community of animal behavior technologists utilizing non-coercive methods in working with clients’ companion animals. Benefits include:

  • License to market your membership, (including use of the AABP logo)
  • Access to a member’s forum for networking and discussion
  • Listing on the web site directory
  • Members may apply for AABP Certification
  • Certification: Emphasized listing on the web site
  • Certification: Official “AABP Certified,” which may be used for marketing purposes
  • Certification: Use of the “AABP Certified Member” logo

You can also find many informal groups for pet boarders to discuss their profession. This list features dozens of online networking groups for pet boarders that you can review and consider joining.

Employment

You’ll find jobs for pet boarders at large veterinary practices that offer boarding as well as private boarding companies. Make copies of your resume and professional credentials in advance so you’ll have them ready.

Also check online job-search services like Indeed and ZipRecruiter. You can set up notifications on these sites to receive email alerts about openings that match your geographic location.

Finding Clients

Success as a pet boarder means attracting a steady stream of clients. Ideally, you’ll get repeat customers and new customers. This will help you stay busy and sustain that all-important cash flow

Dog panting while on a hike

First, you’ll need business cards and a website for marketing your boarding services. Your website should include pictures of your facility and staff working with different pets, a list of the services you provide, as well as your location and contact information, which must be clearly visible at the top of every page on your site. The upper right-hand corner is a good spot for your location, phone number and email, but wherever you display this information it must be in the same place on every page. Search engines scan this information to match your website geographically with people searching for pet boarding.

Other ways to grow your business:

Veterinarian Referrals

Contact local veterinarians and cultivate friendly business relationships with them. Dog owners routinely ask their vets about other pet needs, including boarding, so you will want to be the professional that vets recommend to their clients.

Partner with Local Shelters or SPCA

This gets your business in front of people who are adopting pets. Your partnership can be as simple as dropping off advertising flyers and business cards at the local shelter or SPCA. Volunteering for an hour or two each month can build goodwill.

Partner with Independent Pet Stores

Small business owners understand the value of collaborating with other professionals in the community. Focus especially on pet stores that sell organic animal food, specialty chew toys and other pricey items that tend to attract more affluent customers. These are more often people with disposable income who lead busy lives and go on vacations, which means they need to board their pets.

Good to know

Marketing a pet boarding business can consume a huge amount of time if you allow it to happen. Follow the steps above to be proactive in attracting clients, but also set up your online presence. A professional website in tandem with social media pages can be working for you around the clock, driving customers to your door. Consider these strategies for connecting with customers who need pet boarding:

Cat resting on person while looking up at the camera

Set up an Instagram page to showcase your pet boarding business. Instagram is the #1 online venue for small business owners to showcase their services. A dedicated business page on Instagram is always promoting your business.

Next, build a Facebook business page. This is an easy way to grow your following by providing tips and helpful information to enhance their life with pets. You can run promotions and create teaser links to your business website by offering articles and news about pets in your Facebook posts.

Now create a Google My Business page. This service lets you list hours of operation, photos of your boarding facility and a map of your location. There’s also an area for people to leave reviews of your services, so you should ask happy customers to post praise on your Google My Business page.

Setting up a business presence on each of these sites should take less than an hour. All of them are free and work 24/7 to promote your pet boarding company. That frees up more of your time to focus on caring for customers’ pets.

If you enjoyed this article, check out some more great PocketSuite.io content that can help you grow your career as a pet boarder. Here’s a great place to start.

PocketSuite has thousands of business owners who all started where you are right now. Our community is always happy to help you ramp up, grow your client base, and achieve your income goals, both within the PocketSuite app and as part of our exclusive Facebook Community Group. PocketSuite’s vision is for any professional to be able to work for themselves and make a great living. It starts here. It starts with you. It starts today. Let’s get started, download PocketSuite now! Feel free to reach out with any questions (we’d love to hear from you)! Text us @ (415) 841-2300.

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Dog and Pet Boarding Networking Groups https://pocketsuite.io/post/pet-sitter-boarding-networking-groups/ Wed, 23 Jun 2021 09:30:06 +0000 https://pocketsuite.io/?post_type=generic_pages&p=7137 Meet Other Professional Dog and Pet Boarding Pros

The Internet is a great place to look for dog boarding groups. There are many pet-based support groups where you can share tips and tricks, support and industry know-how. Dog groups can cover many different jobs within the industry and these diverse groups can be very helpful in understanding all aspects of this profession.

Check out Facebook Groups for Boarding Professionals:

Pet Sitters and Pet Owners Community

Dog Sitters Needed

Home from Home Pet Sitting & Dog Walking

International House sitters

NJ Professional Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters

baby & pet sitters oki

need a sitter/want to baby sit

Need a House Sitter / Become a Pet Sitter – The Mastermind Group

Rover.com Sitters Group

Reliable Baby Sitters & Pet Sitters of Jacksonville NC

Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers, Pet Groomers & Pet Parents!

Muddy Paws Home Boarding, Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

The Pet Hub. Pet sitters in Malta and Gozo.

House and Pet Sitters Spain

Jump Start Your Pet Business – Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers, Boarding

House/Pet Sitters Perth

Rover Sitters

IN HOME Dog Boarding Providers Discussion Group

Pet Sitter Support Group

Dog Boarding & Dog Sitting Colchester and surrounding areas

PET SITTERS FORUM

Atlanta Pet Sitters Connection

Dog sitter of DFW

Blackpool Pet Sitters / Dog Walking

Pet Sitters In Algarve

Pet Sitters Network

Dog Walker to Dog Walker

Hiring Handbook for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers

Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters, Hull

Chelmsford Professional Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters

DOG WALKING/ SITTING EXCHANGE TLV

KMC PET SITTERS

Bali Pet Sitters Club

Seattle Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters

Suffolk Dog Walkers, Pet Sitters, Groomers And Pet Services

Dog Walkers and Pet sitters East Yorskhire

Brittney’s Dog Sitting Services

Trusted Pet Sitters Graf, Vilseck, Weiden Etc

30 Days To Start and Grow a Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business

Borrow my dog

Dog Walkers, Pet Sitters And Pet Care In and Around Manchester

Dog Sitters Cumbre/Javea/Moraira/Benitachell

Pet sitters in Zurich

MHDOG resources – Pet sitters, dog walkers, boarding

Babysitter’s/Pet Sitters Clarksville/Fort Campbell Area

San Antonio Baby/Doggy Sitters

Wildcat Service Dogs Sitters

Professional Pet Sitters Chat

Texas Pet Sitters / Boarders & Dog Walkers Forum

Pet sitting/boarding Berlin

Puppy Dogs Tails Dog Walking and Pet Sitting Service

Rover.com Pet Sitters – Unofficial

Dog Walkers, Pet Carers & Animal Lovers Community Page

California Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers With Employees

South Wales Licensed Home Boarders, Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers Network

Pet Sitters Available and Wanted in Luxembourg

Dog Friendly Nottingham

Dog sitting and Cat sitting Berlin

Amsterdam Cat & Dog Sitting & Walking

*** A WALK IN THE PARK *** Dog walking/pet sitting service

Dog Walking & Pet Sitting across Queensland

Lane Cove Dog-Sitters Group

NYC Dog Walkers And Petsitters

Bolton professional dog walkers, sitters and animal carers

Pet sitter Maastricht

Hampton Roads Professional Pet Sitter and Dog Walker Network

Brighton & Mid Sussex Dog Walkers And Pet Sitters

Paris Expat Dog and Cat Owners

Essex Dog Services, Everything for your pet in Essex

Dog walking and socializing – Dublin and surroundings

Brisbane CBD & Surrounds House & Pet Sitter

Sydney House & Pet Sitting

Edmonton Pet Sitting

Toronto Dog Services Search

Rover Sitter Community

Pet Working Pro – Public Forum for Dog Walkers, Dog Trainers & Pet Sitters

Dog-Friendly Chicago (Sidewalk Dog)

Huntsville, AL babysitting / sitters

Fort McMurray Pet Group

Expats with Dogs in Amsterdam

Yokota pet lovers

Pet Friendly Places in Malaysia

Cape Town Pet & House Sitting Service

80027 – OhOh27 – The Original OhOh27

DOGSITTING BARCELONA

Pet Sitters and Pet Owners Community

Jump Start Your Pet Business – Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers, Boarding

International House sitters

HOUSE SITTING AND PET SITTING

IN HOME Dog Boarding Providers Discussion Group

Pet Sitters, Dog Walkers, Pet Groomers & Pet Parents!

need a sitter/want to baby sit

Dog Sitters Needed

Muddy Paws Home Boarding, Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

The Sims FreePlay for Simmers

baby & pet sitters oki

Free Pets Sitting

Reliable Baby Sitters & Pet Sitters of Jacksonville NC

The Sims™ Freeplay Simmer’s World

Managing and Marketing Dog Daycare & Boarding Businesses

Animal/house sitters in France

Atlanta Pet Sitters Connection

Brisbane CBD & Surrounds House & Pet Sitter

House/Pet Sitters Perth

PET SITTERS FORUM

Pet Sitters In Algarve

Cat Boarding & Sitting Professionals

Professional Pet Sitter Support Group

Richmond Hill, GA Babysitters & Pet Sitters

KMC PET SITTERS

Babysitter’s/Pet Sitters Clarksville/Fort Campbell Area

Babysitters or Pet Sitters of Fuquay Varina, Holly Springs & Willow Springs

Teton Valley Pet/ House Sitters Forum

NZ Pet Sitters on the Road

WHIDBEY ISLAND BABY & PET SITTERS CLUB

Fort McMurray Pet Group

Happy Tails Pet Grooming?

Whidbey Island Sitters

Official Chiang Mai Pet Sitting / Petsitting / Pet Sitters / Housesitting

Professional Pet Sitters Chat

Rabbit & Small Animal Boarding Business Support

Okinawa Pets

Professional Pet Sitters “”Cat Talk””

Dog Walkers and Pet sitters East Yorskhire

Pippin Pet Boarding group

Yokota Find A Sitter

Trusted Pet Sitters Graf, Vilseck, Weiden Etc

Pet Sitters Israel (Jerusalem)

Essex Dog Services, Everything for your pet in Essex

Dog sitting and Cat sitting Berlin

Minnesota Pet Sitters

Rover.com Pet Sitters – Unofficial

Edwards AFB Pet Sitters

The Villages Pet Sitters

Stay And Play. Small paws boarding 19/1109/ANIMAL

Nellis AFB Pet Sitters

Furry Families Pet Sitting

Baby or pet Sitter

Pet Nanny Coach Community

Swan Hill Pet Boarding Puppy Information

Dog Walkers, Pet Sitters And Pet Care In and Around Manchester

Town of Huntington, NY – BabySitters/PetSitters/HouseCleaner-Sitters

Yokota pet lovers

Orlando Area Pet Sitter Referral Group

Dog Walker / PetCare / Vet / Dog grooming / Cat Sitter

South Wales Licensed Home Boarders, Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers Network

Pet(Sitter) Group KMC / RAMSTEIN AREA

Mad Paws Sitters Community

Seattle Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters

The Pet Sitters of Ambers Pampered Pets

Cat in a Flat – For approved Cat Sitters

Orlando Pet Sitter Network

Indianapolis, Indiana Babysitters and Pet Sitters

Pets+ Community – Independent Pet Retailers & Service Providers

House Sitting Community Support Group

Glasgow professional dog walkers and pet boarders

Hunters House, Boarding Kennels & Street Dog/Cat Assistance

Pet Sitting Grafenwoehr/Vilseck

Pet Sitting Network – South Korea (Official)

Jacksonville NC Sitters

Guam pet sitters

Bali Pet Sitters Club

House and Pet Sitting France

BabySitters R Us (Clarksville TN , Fort Campbell KY

Rover.com Sitters Group

Baby Sitters of okinawa Japan

Edmonton Pet Sitting

Misawa Sitters

Pet Parents Bangkok ♡ Pet Sitting Bangkok

Need a babysitter?, petsitter? (Humphreys and Osan area)

House Sitting Cairns

Pet Friendly Places in Malaysia

Glasgow Pet Services

Tutoring, Dance/Exercise, & Sitter/Childcare

Pet Parents, Bangalore

Toronto Dog Services Search

Pet sitter Maastricht

Abu Dhabi Pet Owners

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