How to Get Your First 20 Pet-Sitting Clients
Starting a pet-sitting business is an opportunity to turn your passion for pets into a profitable career. But after you’ve chosen a business name, created your services, and prepared your policies, there’s another important question to consider:
How do you get your first clients?
The truth is there’s no magic answer. Successful pet-sitting businesses rarely rely on a single marketing tactic. Instead, they grow through community relationships and online marketing combined with the excellent service they provide to encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
If you’re just getting started, review the strategies Pet Sitters International (PSI) offers below to help you land your first 20 pet-sitting clients and establish a strong foundation for your business.
Marketing Strategies That Work
First, it’s important to understand that marketing isn’t a one-time effort. If you want your business to succeed, you will need to make marketing a year-round priority.
As a new pet sitter, you need to focus on efforts to market your services and gain visibility within your local community. Even established pet-sitting businesses benefit from ongoing promotion and networking.
One helpful starting point is identifying your ideal client.
Your ideal clients might include:
- Busy professionals who work long hours
- Frequent travelers who need vacation pet care
- Families who prefer in-home care over boarding
- Pet owners with special-needs pets
Here are tips to help you determine your ideal client. Understanding your ideal client helps you create marketing messages that speak directly to their needs.
For example, if your ideal clients are busy professionals, your messaging might emphasize:
- Reliable daily dog walks
- Midday potty breaks
- Flexible scheduling
When you clearly community the problem or pain point your business solves for pet parents, they are more likely to choose your services. You also want to emphasize your company’s unique selling proposition (USP).
Your marketing strategy will include multiple elements, and for new pet sitters, marketing typically includes:
- A professional website
- Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Partnerships with pet professionals
- Referral programs/word-of-mouth incentives
- Social media engagement
Let’s explore each of these strategies in more detail.
Your Business Website and Local SEO
Pet parents are looking for service providers online, so you want to be there—with a business website that shares how you can help them and how they can book your services.
Once you have a site that is both professional and easy to navigate, you want to make sure potential clients can find you online. One of the most effective ways to attract new clients is through local search engine optimization (SEO).
You want your business to appear in the search results when pet owners search online for phrases like:
- “pet sitter near me”
- “dog walker in Raleigh”
- “cat sitter in Denver”
Local SEO helps search engines understand where your business operates and what services you provide.
Here are a few ways to improve your website’s local SEO:
Create a Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile is one of the most important tools for local visibility.
Your listing should include:
- Business name
- Service area
- Phone number and email
- Website link
- Photos of pets you care for
- Client reviews
A well-optimized listing can help your business appear in Google Maps and local search results when pet owners look for services in your area.
Use Location-Based Keywords
Include your service area throughout your website and marketing materials.
Examples:
- “Professional pet sitting in Charlotte, NC”
- “Dog walking services in Austin”
These location-based keywords help search engines match your business with local searches.
Blog about Local Events and Locations
You can also use your company’s blog to boost your local SEO. In an article shared in a previous issue of Pet Sitter’s World magazine, Amy Toman, Pet Sitter SEO, explained that blog articles offer a good place to lay out your knowledge of specific areas.
She offered this advice:
Is there an annual event that caters to pets, like perhaps a fundraiser? Write about it, mentioning the location frequently. Are there pet-friendly parks, dog runs or trails you’d recommend, or where you take dogs on hikes? Write about them and add links.
When you blog about local places that will be of interest to pet parents in your service area, be sure to include the name and address of the location, as well as a website link if possible.
Networking and Referral Strategies
Even in today’s digital world, word-of-mouth referrals remain one of the most powerful ways to gain new clients. In fact, PSI’s State of the Industry Survey results consistently show that referrals are one of the most common ways PSI members attract new business.
Pet owners are often cautious about allowing someone into their homes to care for their animals. A recommendation from a trusted friend or professional can make all the difference.
So how can you get others to recommend your services?
Deliver Exceptional Service
The first step to generating referrals is providing outstanding care. Of course, you are offering a great service—there’s no price that can be put on the peace of mind professional pet sitters offer pet owners. But, sometimes, it takes a little extra to “wow” clients and really get them talking.
Small touches can make a big impression, such as:
- Sending daily updates and photos
- Leaving a report card after visits
- Writing a thank-you note after the first booking
For long-time or repeat clients, occasionally leave behind a small gift—and be creative! A creatively-staged photo of their pets that you leave behind in a cute frame, a card “from their pets” saying how excited they are for their parents’ return, even a coupon for a pet food that you don’t need but know they use—these small gestures go a long way and can encourage your clients to brag about how wonderful their pet sitter is to their friends, family and social media followers.
Ask for Referrals
Many pet sitters hesitate to ask for referrals, but happy clients are often glad to share your information. Sometimes getting great word-of-mouth advertising is as easy as asking for it. This may be as simple as including a note at the bottom of your invoices or emails that says, “If you’ve been pleased with our services, please leave a Google review,” or “Please refer us to other pet parents who could benefit from the peace of mind we provide.”
You may also consider a more formal referral program. Some pet sitters encourage referrals with incentives such as:
- A discount on a future service
- A free dog walk
- A credit toward a vacation visit
Referral programs can help accelerate growth, especially when you’re trying to build your initial client base.
One way to implement this program is to have business cards printed that include your information on one side, with a note on the back that says “Receive $5 off your next pet-sitting visit when a pet owner you refer books my services,” along with “Referred by:” and a place for your current client to include his or her name. This way, your current client can easily pass along your business card (with their name listed as the referral source) to other pet owners.
Network with Veterinarians and Other Pet Pros
Another powerful way to gain clients is by building relationships with local pet-care professionals. Veterinarians, groomers, trainers, and pet supply stores interact with pet owners every day. When they trust your services, they may recommend you to their clients.
Network within your community to build relationships that can lead to referrals and professional support.
You can:
Introduce yourself to veterinary clinics. Prepare a professional introduction package that includes:
- Business cards
- A service brochure
- Your website and contact information
- Information about your experience or training
Visit veterinary clinics and ask if you can leave materials for clients. This previous PSI blog post explains why pet sitters and veterinarians working together is a win-win.
Connect with other local pet business owners. Consider introducing yourself to:
- Groomers
- Dog trainers
- Pet supply stores
- Animal shelters
These professionals may recommend your services when clients ask for trusted pet-care providers. And don’t forget about other local pet sitters and dog walkers! Many pet sitters and dog walkers successfully work together to refer clients they cannot accommodate.
One of the best ways to encourage other businesses to spread the word about your business is for you to spread the word about theirs. Referrals are a two-way street. When you recommend other pet-care professionals you trust to your clients, you are helping the other businesses, but you are also establishing yourself as a trusted resource for your clients.
Social Media Marketing
Social media has become a powerful tool for pet-care businesses to connect with local pet owners. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok allow you to showcase your services, share educational tips, and build trust with potential clients.
Here are some ideas to ramp up your social-media efforts:
Share Your Story
Many pet owners prefer hiring someone they feel they know and trust. They want to know who they are trusting with their beloved pet.
Consider posting about:
- Why you started your pet-sitting business
- Your experience with animals
- Your favorite types of pets to care for
You don’t need to share private information about your life, but sharing personal stories that relate to your business and pet-care experience helps humanize your brand and build emotional connections. This post shares three other quick tips you can use to help “humanize” your pet-sitting business. PSI members, visit the Marketing section of PSI’s Learning Library for a free online training that explains how you can unleash your authenticity to build a trustworthy brand.
Post Photos and Videos
Sharing photos or videos of pets you care for can be a great way to increase engagement on your company’s social-media accounts. Before posting, make sure you have your clients’ permission to share photos and videos of their pets. This is a question you should ask in your pet-sitting service contract.
Everyone loves a cute pet photo or video but make sure the photos and videos you share also highlight the services you offer.
Photo and/or video content ideas include:
- Daily dog walk photos in front of a local landmark (e.g., statue, mural, sign)
- Themed pet photos with company-branded props (e.g., pets wearing a bandana with your company logo)
- Video showing how you incorporate pet enrichment into your visits
- Seasonal/holiday-themed photos and videos (e.g., dog photos in front of a local Halloween display, Santa hats on pets, etc.)
Check out these tips for taking better pet photos. Also, make sure you never post photos or videos with information about the client’s name or address, or that would make it easy to identify the home—you don’t want to make it obvious that the client isn’t there!
Provide Helpful Pet Care Tips
Another way to use social media to attract new clients is to focus on sharing what you know. Educational content positions you as a knowledgeable professional—and your trusted reputation will generate new business.
Educational content ideas include:
- Links to reputable pet-care articles
- Seasonal safety infographics
- Short “how-to” and pet tips video clips and series
If you need content inspiration, think about the questions pet parents have asked you (or maybe even questions you’ve had yourself as a pet parent). The options are limitless! PSI members, don’t forget you can access editable social-media images in your Monthly Member Toolkit.
Don’t forget to also post about your continuing education, professional development, and certifications.
Sharing helpful information not only attracts clients but also positions businesses as trusted experts—and becoming your community’s local pet expert will bring new clients your way.
Engage with Your Community
While social media is a marketing tool, it should also be a conversation. So, don’t just post; you also need to interact.
You should:
- Respond to comments
- Participate in local Facebook groups
- Share about local community events
- Like, comment on and share other businesses’ posts
Consistent engagement helps increase your online visibility and build relationships with local pet owners and other businesses. Forming these online relationships can lead to real referrals and new clients.
Turning Your First Clients into Fans
Getting your first 20 clients is a major milestone, but it’s only the beginning. Long-term success comes from building strong relationships and delivering exceptional service that encourages repeat bookings and referrals.
PSI recommends maintaining high standards of care and communication with clients to ensure your business continues to grow and thrive.
Simple habits can make a big difference:
- Communicate clearly with clients
- Provide updates during visits
- Maintain consistent service quality
- Follow up after service to confirm satisfaction
These practices help build trust and turn satisfied clients into your best promoters. While happy clients may be one of your best advertising sources, you still need to continue marketing even when you’re busy. Regularly updating your website and online listings, sticking with a consistent social media plan and making time for networking and community events will help you continue to attract new clients.
Start Building Your Pet-Sitting Business Today
As pet spending continues to increase, there’s no question it’s an excellent time to enter the growing pet-sitting industry, but it does take work. The strategies above can help you attract your first clients and begin building a reputation for reliable, compassionate pet care.
Whether it’s starting from scratch or scaling up after initial success, it can often feel like you’re on an island trying to figure out how to build your business on your own.
Building a successful pet-sitting business takes dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to ongoing learning. If you’re ready to grow your pet-sitting business, PSI provides the education, resources, and community support you need to succeed.
Through PSI, pet sitters can access:
- Professional education and training
- Business resources and templates
- Networking opportunities with other pet-care professionals
- Industry standards that elevate professionalism
Learn more about starting and growing a professional pet-sitting business with PSI:
You can find additional business tips on the PSI blog and search PSI’s current online courses. (PSI members get 25% off all PSI courses and subscriptions.)
If you’re not a PSI member, we invite you to join our community of professional pet sitters who are raising the standards of pet care.
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Jennifer Crocker