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Savvy Sitter Suggestions - August 2008ADVERTISING TIPS
"I just received a new customer the other day from putting my business cards on the cork board next to the neighborhood mailboxes. I pick neighborhoods that I know are packed with dogs - people have to get their mail and may just take a look at the cork board while doing it! It really works!" -Julie Edgerton, Wagging Tails on the Trails, Park City, UT
"I recently had the opportunity to pass out business cards at a local Seawolves baseball game. The game was on none other than June 20th - Take Your Dog To Work Day! Needless to say, I handed out a ton of business cards and am now reaping the benefits." -Gay Boutwell, Pawsn'affection, Erie, PA
"A good way to advertise is to pin up your business card at a condo bulletin board. Other good places are outside kiosks and grocery store bulletin boards." -Suzan Cicillini, Reliable Pet Sitting Services, Warwick, RI
DEALING WTIH EXCESS PET HAIR
"To remove excess pet hair, my hair dresser just wets her hand and brushes over the area with hair on it. It works just as good as sticky tape!" -Dianne L. Blazowski, Master Pet Sitters, Sacramento, CA
"I highly recommend the Furbuster! This tool is not only for dogs. One of my cat-owning client's gave me the small FurBuster. Wow! Not only does it work with minimal effort but my cat totally loves it! He immediately runs right over to me when he sees me pick it up and gets ready for the shedding/grooming routine to begin. By the time we are done, he is entirely relaxed and nearly asleep!" -Brenda Loew, 4 Paws Dogwalking & Petsitting, Newton, MA
GREEN TIPS
"Eliminating meat from your diet reduces your carbon footprint and animals appreciate it too! There are currently 20 billion livestock animals on Earth right now - which triples the number of humans. Livestock produces more greenhouse gases than cars. 260 million acres have been cleared just to raise livestock, contributing not just to water and air pollution but to diminishing forests that help clean the air. It's been estimated that the world's supply of petroleum will last another 13 years; however if everyone went vegetarian the petroleum would last 260 years. By simply choosing different foods, (eating the grains that animals eat instead of eating the animals after they eat all the grains) we can really make a difference for the planet and our own health." Diane Venberg, KittyStar Services for Cats, Seattle, WA
"I recycle everything I can with pet clean-up in mind. Bread bags, newspaper bags, and air-filled bags used to pack items for shipping. I recently got a shipment in a big box that was loaded with over 30 'air bags.' My daughter cut each one individually, which gave me a nice supply of free, clean, extra thick, poop pick-up bags. When picking up after a dog that uses his own yard, I take it into the house to flush it. That way it cuts down on the odor and the trash." -Amy Howell,Lucky Paws, Etc., Bowie, MD
"I have six 'green' suggestions: 1. Buy microfiber cloths in bulk at Costco or Sam's to use when washing bowls, wiping spills, etc. instead of paper towels. This reduces the use of client's paper goods and helps the environment. 2. Print visit reports (customized to each client) on both sides which reduces the amount of paper consumed. 3. When possible, use e-mail clients to send visit reports. 4. When possible, buy treats (i.e., Milkbones) in large quantities to reduce packaging. 5. Use reusable cups for water instead of plastic water bottles. 6. Create your own pet sitting forms. This controls the volume of forms needed and you won't have to order in bulk if you don't need so many." |
