Pet sitting and dog walking services are still booming

It’s helping people overcome the cost-of-living crisis, from earning extra cash to maintaining daily healthy habits.

Pet sitting services are still booming.

If you are running out of time to take the pooch for a daily walk, then we may have the answer – pet sitters.

The side hustle is helping people overcome the cost-of-living crisis, from earning extra cash to maintaining daily healthy habits and enjoying occasional companionship with furry pals for their wellbeing.

Mad Paws, an Australian online pet care marketplace which connects pet owners with trusted, local and vetted pet sitters, has more than 40,000 sitters.

And the demand is still growing, with the marketplace for pet-sitting services up 44 per cent year-on-year, says Mad Paws chief executive Justus Hammer.

“About 75 per cent of sitters see Mad Paws as a way to have more exposure to pets as well as earn more money,” he says.

“As we reached a bigger scale and we are unifying our brands under the Mad Paws umbrella, our word of mouth rate has been very strong. Awareness about pet sitting and dog walking has increased.”

THE JOYS OF PET SITTING

Christa Billich from Darlinghurst hires a “pet nanny” named Jason to take care of her pets – a puppy called Charlie and a Bengal kitten named Ziggy.

“I lead a busy lifestyle as general manager of Billich Gallery, so I am at the gallery a lot during the day,” Billich says. “In my opinion, pets shouldn’t be left at home for hours on end, without any human supervision or social contact.

“I prefer using a dog nanny as opposed to a kennel or cattery because it’s a more personalised, tailored approach and it means they can stay in their own environment and feel safe.

Christa Billich has a pet nanny for puppy Charlie.

“I get little video clips and photos sent to me throughout the day of my pets, so I know what they’re up to. I also find it a more cost-effective option.”

Jason, who has been working for the Billich family for the past eight years, says being a pet nanny is incredibly rewarding.

“When I turned 50, I thought it was time for a career change,” he says.

“I previously worked as a driver, but didn’t find it fulfilling, so I decided to follow my passion and love for animals. I saw plenty of puppy schools and kennels popping up, but thought a more hands-on, personal approach would suit a lot of dog owners.

“I make sure the animals have been fed and have plenty of fresh water. Baby Charlie and Ziggy love the finer things in life – so I often take them to restaurants and cafes to help socialise them and spoil them.

“I also take the dogs for walks and stimulate their brains with enrichment toys and games. I take them to appointments and clean out litter boxes or the yard.

“My biggest role is being their companion and spending quality time with them.”

GET TO KNOW THE CANDIDATES

When creating a profile, Hammer says pet sitters are asked to fill out questions about their experience with pets, such as what types of animals they have cared for and what their availability is like.

Justus Hammer, CEO of Mad Paws.

They can also upload photos of themselves and their own pets, which can help potential clients get to know them better.

“Candidates need to study a set of online materials and then pass an online test to demonstrate their knowledge of pet care and safety,” Hammer says.

“This ensures that all pet sitters on the platform have a basic level of expertise and understanding when it comes to caring for animals.”

Before booking a pet-sitting job, sites like Mad Paws require that pet sitters and clients have a meet-and-greet session.

“This is an opportunity for the pet sitter to meet the client and their pet(s) in person, and to discuss the details of the job. This ensures that both parties are comfortable with each other before the actual pet sitting takes place,” Hammer says.

FIND THE RIGHT FIT

There are many instances when you might need to look into booking a pet sitter to temporarily take care of your pets.

If you are exploring this option, there are some steps you can take first to make sure your pets will be in safe hands while you are away, courtesy of RSPCA NSW:

Research: Look for pet sitters who have experience, positive reviews, and insurance. You can check online reviews and ask for references from friends, family or your veterinarian.

Meet and greet: Meet with potential pet sitters to see how they interact with your pet and to ask them about their experience, availability and rates.

Check credentials: Verify the pet sitter’s credentials, insurance and any certifications they may have. Also, make sure they are trained in pet first aid and CPR.

Communicate expectations: Make sure you clearly communicate your expectations for the pet sitter, including feeding schedules, exercise routines and any special needs or medication requirements.

Discuss emergency plans: Discuss emergency plans with the pet sitter and make sure they know how to contact you or your veterinarian in case of an emergency.

Confirm scheduling: Confirm the scheduling details with the pet sitter, including the start and end dates of their services, the frequency of visits, and the cost of services.