Take a Vacation, Really?
I hope you have had a great week! Everyday, we are a little closer to 2020 being a distant memory.
I never used to wish time away; well maybe when I was a kid and couldn’t wait to grow-up or for some anticipated big event. But since becoming an adult, I try to live in the moment.
Although I look for the silver linings (I am def a “glass half-full” girl), I find myself thinking that 2021 will be so much better. Do you feel that as well?
Anyway, a few weeks back, I wrote a post on how to make some extra income with dog walking. Well today, I am back with another idea. This idea can be a separate stream of income or can be combined with the dog walking venture.
Pet Sitting…
While some people have the time and financial resources to take a vacation, they are just too afraid of leaving behind a beloved pet or group of animals. They may have a dog that is too large or fragile for a kennel or a cat that needs daily insulin shots. For these people, the idea of taking a vacation is just an unattainable dream because they cannot find any way to care for their responsibilities and leave town at
the same time.
This is where you come in!
You will provide a service that cares for the needs of pets or farm animals in their home environment, whether that environment is a barn, a field, or an apartment. You can also offer to perform other small services like watering plants or a small garden while they are away. You can charge a daily fee or an hourly fee, depending on how much time will need to be devoted to the care of the person’s animals, and/or plants. If you will be caring for multiple animals, this should be taken into consideration when deciding on the proper fee to charge.
You should make sure that you are well versed in the care of many kinds of animals.
Ask yourself the following hypothetical questions:
- Do you know what is required to care for a horse beyond just throwing it some food and cleaning its’ stall?
- Do you have the physical strength and personal presence needed to control a large Saint Bernard or similar large dog?
- Have you ever administered shots or given medications to a family pet who would rather not get
them? - Do you know how much food is appropriate for a large tank of fish and have you ever successfully emptied a tank just enough to clean it while still maintaining the health of the fish?
Some turtles can only spend time out of doors when the outdoor temperature is in a specific range.
- Do you know what that range is?
- Do you know how to care for small injuries and infections (such as the common eye and nose infections that many pets get)?
- Do you know any tricks to get a pet to eat when it is pining away for its owner?
- Do you know how much to feed and at what temperature baby chicks need to be kept at?
Any veterinarian experience you might be able to offer would really come in handy and would make your services much more marketable.
Once your service is well established, you may want to hire others with specialized knowledge in the care of specific animals or exotic pets.
Lastly, you will need to be “on call” for the pet parent’s so they can get in touch with you in the event of emergencies or anything unexpected; such as delayed flights, severe weather or a change of schedule.
A great way to generate buzz around your new business venture and gain clients is through the power of social media. Start a Facebook page dedicated to your pet service business. With the permission of the pet parents’, you can post fun pictures of animals you are currently caring for and share a cute story about the pet or offer a useful pet tip.
Also, don’t underestimate the “old school” way of promoting your business. You can advertise your animal care services by listing your service with an online business directory, and also by printing up flyers and posting them in places where families and people with animals are likely to visit. Among these places could be veterinarian offices and pet food stores. Be sure to include popular lunch places and coffee shops!
Most post offices and grocery stores also have bulletin boards that they will allow you to place an advertisement on if you are a customer. Be sure to take advantage of any public bulletin boards in your immediate area to find the people who are looking for you and your services!
With your help, frazzled pet parents everywhere will be able to take advantage of your services and finally leave for that much needed vacation.
And you can put extra money in your pocket doing something that you enjoy! I mean, who doesn’t love spending time with cute and cuddly fur babies?
A positive that I believe has come from 2020 is people re-thinking ways to earn a living. Many factors have created the “perfect storm” for people to get creative on other ways to make an income:
- Many essential workers do not feel comfortable being around others
- People who typically work in office environments and enjoy the camaraderie are now forced to work remotely
- With schools closed and children learning remotely, many parents need a flexible schedule to work around their young children being home and helping with on-line learning
Many traditional jobs are just not ideal anymore.
Sometimes it takes something out of our control to force us into a needed change in our lives. Sometimes, that needed change is a new career path.
- A path we LOVE
- A job we enjoy waking up to in the mornings
- A calling where we feel fulfilled and needed
- An avenue where we can make a real difference in the lives of others
- A way to earn an income on our own terms and on our own schedules
Working with animals can be a dream come true for many people. Is this anything you have ever considered? If so, why not make this the year you take the plunge?
2020 could really end up being the year you make your dreams come true!
I will be cheering you on!
Oh, one other thing before I go; I created this short-story and reflection/workbook for Christmas. Click HERE to check it out.
It’s really not too early to start thinking about the holidays. This set will also help with getting the creative juices flowing for a simple Christmas where the gift-giving comes from the heart instead of a store.
Click HERE to check it out!
It’s great fun for children and adults. There are valuable lessons and exercises for everyone; and you can make it a family affair.
’til next time,
