Question by stargzng386: Help with advertising for my pet sitting business?
I’ve owned my pet sitting/dog walking business for almost a year now. I’m a 23 year old graduate of hood college. My degree is in financing not marketing. I’ve been posting ads on craigslist and fliers. I’d appreciate any help with the writing of my ad. For more information about me you can visit my website handsonpetcare.com. The ad i’ve been running is as follows,

At Hands On Pet Care we pride ourselves in giving your pets the best care possible. We believe that pets are happier staying at home when you go on vacation. We strive to imitate your pets schedule and give them lots of attention and playtime. We have experience with all kinds of animals from dogs and cats to small animals, fish, reptiles and horses. For extended care we will also water plants, bring in mail, and turn lights on and off. Excellent references available. We serve all of Montgomery County including Germantown, Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Olney, etc.

or this ad for horse/farm sitting

I am a professional pet sitter with extensive equine experience. If you have horses or livestock and can never go away on vacation worry no more! I am willing to stay on your property or just visit. I can feed, fill water buckets, muck stalls, bring in/turn out, put on/take off blankets, give IM injections, administer oral medications and dewormer. I can hold horses for the vet or farrier. I have limited experience with livestock but I am willing to learn. I have experience feeding and watering goats and chickens. I am bonded and insured and have great references. If you’d like to meet me please just give me a call or send me an e-mail.
I have business cards and have been to the vets offices around me and I am happy with my pricing. I’m more looking for your opinion as a pet owner to the wording of my ad. Does it seem like it comes from the heart and is true? Once I have a client they love me and never switch I’m just looking for how to convey this and me as a person through my ad.

Best answer:

Answer by Scarlett 007
You can try an Ad in your local paper. If there is a Craig’s List listing you could try that as well. I would also print some Business cards and visit your local veterinary offices in your area. This may help boost your Business. I also think that you should price your competition. Find out what they charge and offer a 10-20% discount for new clients. This might help boost your clientele.You can also post an ad at your local grocery store. Advertising is always the key in any Business. Good luck.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

by terriem

Question by stargzng386: Help with advertising for my pet sitting business?
I’ve owned my pet sitting/dog walking business for almost a year now. I’m a 23 year old graduate of hood college. My degree is in financing not marketing. I’ve been posting ads on craigslist and fliers. I’d appreciate any help with the writing of my ad. For more information about me you can visit my website handsonpetcare.com. The ad i’ve been running is as follows,

At Hands On Pet Care we pride ourselves in giving your pets the best care possible. We believe that pets are happier staying at home when you go on vacation. We strive to imitate your pets schedule and give them lots of attention and playtime. We have experience with all kinds of animals from dogs and cats to small animals, fish, reptiles and horses. For extended care we will also water plants, bring in mail, and turn lights on and off. Excellent references available. We serve all of Montgomery County including Germantown, Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Olney, etc.

or this ad for horse/farm sitting

I am a professional pet sitter with extensive equine experience. If you have horses or livestock and can never go away on vacation worry no more! I am willing to stay on your property or just visit. I can feed, fill water buckets, muck stalls, bring in/turn out, put on/take off blankets, give IM injections, administer oral medications and dewormer. I can hold horses for the vet or farrier. I have limited experience with livestock but I am willing to learn. I have experience feeding and watering goats and chickens. I am bonded and insured and have great references. If you’d like to meet me please just give me a call or send me an e-mail.

Best answer:

Answer by john ross
The ads look good. Have you tried putting up flyers and business cards at the local vets? Might bring in a lot of business. A website might be a good idea as well.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

by Chris Devers

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, 39 percent of U.S. households have at least one dog and 34 percent have at least one cat. More than half of the feline-friendly households are home to more than one cat. In total, there are 74.8 million dogs and 88.3 million cats sharing our homes.

Americans love pets … until they’re house hunting. Don’t take it personally. Even pet lovers can be less than enthusiastic to see someone else’s animals in the surroundings they’re trying to envision as their future digs.

Selling a home where pets live can be challenging, but before you kick Fido and Fluffy to the curb, there are steps you can take to minimize the negative impressions they leave behind for potential home buyers.

Some real estate agents advise sending your pets on “vacation” while your house is on the market. Boarding them at a kennel is usually not a financial or fair option, but you could consider letting a friend or relative keep them until you make the sale. However, while this does reduce odors and fur balls and makes showings more convenient, often it’s still not a practical solution.

During showings and open houses, if at all possible, take the pets with you. These events last only a few hours at most, so enjoy a long walk or some playtime at the park with your pal. If you must leave them home, place them in a crate or carrier with a note asking that they not be disturbed. Since you never know how they’ll react when confined in the presence of strangers, this will reduce their stress and keep everyone safe.

With a security plan in place, it’s time to think about removing signs of pets in your home. De-cluttering applies to pets too. Just because you have pets doesn’t mean potential home buyers want to be reminded of it at every step.

Put away food and water bowls when it’s not feeding time, or at least during showings.
Remove photos of pets.
Vacuum daily. Use lint brushes when and where necessary.
Remove stains from furniture, rugs and carpets. Hire a professional and then spot clean as needed. If stains can’t be removed, replace the flooring where damage is severe or cover small stains with a throw rug or furniture, as appropriate.
Repair damage from chewing and scratching.
Put pet toys and all other animal paraphernalia (carriers, leashes, brushes, beds, etc.) away.
Clean up dog waste in the yard.
Keep litter boxes clean and out of sight.

One of the biggest complaints from potential home buyers involves pet odors. Nothing turns off a buyer faster than the smell of urine. Air fresheners don’t do a good job of masking odors, so try enzyme cleaners such as Simple Solution or Nature’s Miracle or hire a professional.

Most home buyers realize that your house is your pets’ home, too, and they’re usually tolerant of reasonable wear and tear. But when your house is on the market, it’s a good idea to put your best paw forward by presenting a clean, odorless and for the moment, pet-free environment.

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Some cool Pet Blankets images:

oom with tinfoil ball


Image by postbear
my boy sprawled on the bed, his favourite toy between his paws. tinfoil balls are great fun three hours after you go to bed and the cats wake up and decide it’s playtime.

Tigritsa


Image by Kaptain Kobold
Cats, especially this cat – One of my Favourite Things.