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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 Brandi Evans, owner of Ruff Life Pet Sitting in Spring, Texas:

Your Name: Brandi Evans

Business Name: Ruff Life Pet Sitting

Location: Spring, Texas

Year you started your pet-sitting business: 2012

What was your previous job/profession? surgical assistant

What is your current business structure? LLC 

Number of current clients: 100 active clients

How many visits do you typically do per day? 12

Is your service area urban, suburban or rural? Suburban

Is your pet-sitting business insured and bonded? Yes.

Do you provide clients with proof of your clear criminal history (background check)? Yes.

How long did it take you to build up your clientele? Two years, to have a consistent schedule.

Do you use staff sitters? Yes, employees. I decided to go the employee route because I worked very hard to build my business and my clients appreciated the way I cared for their pets and kept them informed. By using employees, I could spend the time training them the ways I wanted the pets and their parents treated. By training employees, the level of care my clients expected would continue if/when I was not available and I would know that any new clients would receive the same level of care.

Do you offer any services besides basic in the client's home pet sitting and dog walking? (pet taxi, etc.) I offer pet taxi, utility waiting services and have just added overnight sitting.

What educational opportunities have you taken advantage of since becoming a pet sitter?
I have purchased several books, the first ones being Patti Moran's "Pet Sitting for Profit" and Kristin Morrison's "Six-Figure Pet Business". I have taken the Pet CPR & safety course a couple of times and attended PSI, Black Dog Marketing and Kristin Morrison's webinars.

Which advertising methods worked best when you were a new business? 
I spent a lot of money for print ads the first year and received no return on my investment. Magnetic signs on my vehicle, printed shirts and word of mouth are what has worked the best.

Do you still use the same advertising methods? Yes. I also keep a schedule to drop into apartment leasing offices every 4 months to drop off my business cards, rack cards and dog treats for the residents, candy for the staff.

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)? What did you learn/what do you do differently now?

In the beginning, my service area was too large. I realized within the first year that, in order for this to be profitable, the service area was going to have to change. I have been fortunate to meet several other professional pet sitters in the area who I can refer to when a potential client is just too far away. By providing these people with actual names and contact information (rather than directing to a website right away), they remember me going "the extra mile" and have referred friends who are in my area. I always include the petsit.com information if the names of the sitters I provide are not available - I just don't lead with a website.

What advice would you give to new pet sitters? 

Keep calm and market on! It takes patience and perseverance, but the business is there. If you're expecting to be booked solid the first year, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment. Be realistic in your expectations and you will have plenty of business coming your way. Don't be afraid to reach out to other professional pet sitters in your area - they can be a great resource.

Are there any must-have business tools your business could not do without?
A smart phone with [an excellent] camera! Poop bags...lots of poop bags and hand sanitizer.

Do you schedule vacation time and/or days off? YES! We schedule at least once a year, but try for two trips a year, usually 4-5 days each. You have to schedule time away to decompress. I give my clients at least 4 months notice and send monthly reminders. I have yet to lose a client because I took time for myself.

Are there any tips you would share for establishing a healthy work-life balance? I block time for things I need to do (like Botox, dentist and hair appointments). If a client needs to schedule and it's during a time I have blocked for myself, I offer them the closest time I have available. They don't need to know WHY I'm not available.

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? Don't take things personally. If a client leaves because they feel your rates are too high and decide to use the kid down the street - consider yourself lucky. Clients like these are not the ones you want. Don't be afraid to tell someone you don't think you are a good fit for them and/or their pet - if it doesn't feel good, don't do it! Networking with other professional pet sitters on a local level and in the PSI group is so beneficial - you will find that most of your questions / issues have been dealt with by others in this profession and you're always sure to hear a good "poop" story!