Tips to get started in pet-minding / housesitting

1. Australian market - check out different websites such as Aussie House Sitters, mindahome, The House Sitters, Trusted Housesitters, Pawshake, Pet Cloud and Madpaws. Some have a 'no pay policy', whereas others are for professional sitters / minders (those that charge or are registered for GST).

2. There are also various Facebook groups which you can use for networking or advertising, these also have loads of helpful resources and discussions!

3. Do some research, figure out what will work for you, the type of people or pets you'd like to take on and what is within your capabilities in terms on schedule/ routine. Everyone starts somewhere and will have varying expectations.

4. Don't message established sitters that have worked hard to gain a good reputation and expect them to have disposable time to walk you through getting started.

5. Don't expect home and pet owners to jump at the opportunity for you to house sit/ pet mind for them if you have no references and charge a premium. I was looking for a minder for my pup recently and had applications apply that were charging an excess of $700 per week with no references or verifications. #justsaying

6. Do expect to have any rates you set to be respected by applicants and peers, no one has the right to shame you for what you do or don't charge. Also, remember the above mention from a pet owners perspective.

7. If you want to pet mind or house sit purely to make money, its probably not the right fit for you.

8. Expect a lot of administration and/ or travelling, especially to meet people and their pets or phone calls/ video chats. Work towards building a rapport with the people you're sitting/ minding for and enjoy getting to know each other, hopefully you'll make some lovely friends!

#housesitting #housesittinghints #petminding