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!

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!

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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oom with tinfoil ball


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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.

Duration : 0:3:20

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Chances are, at one time or another you will need to turn to someone else to care for your dog. Perhaps you’ve accepted a work assignment that will keep you out of town for a month. Maybe you’re finally going on that long awaited cruise. Whatever the reason, you find yourself in need of someone dependable and trustworthy to care for Rover. Although some dogs do best at home with a pet sitter, other dogs do better in a boarding kennel. Consider your dog’s personality and needs before making a decision.

Things to know up front: For kennels, pet boarding is a business. Their success depends on volume as much as quality care. Kennels care for many animals at the same time and your pet will probably be kept in a cage or run. Don’t expect a kennel to give your pet the same kind of attention and affection that you do; it just won’t happen. But good kennels employee people with a natural love of dogs that will be kind and gentle and care for your pet to the best of their ability.

Kennel choices: Most vet offices offer boarding services. While vet office care may be limited, with smaller cages and limited exercise opportunities, many people, especially those whose animals have medical needs, feel more secure leaving their pets with a trusted vet. Other owners turn to private boarding kennels that can range from bare-bones to luxurious. Sparse facilities do not differ much from vet offices. Cages are usually small and exercise is limited to two walks a day. More expensive facilities offer mixed playtime for dogs that are socialized, outdoor exercise areas, larger runs rather than cages, and grooming services (all of which may be at an extra charge). Upscale doggie hotels are all the rage in some areas. Your dog may receive a massage, bath and haircut, obedience training, soothing music and luxurious bedding while you’re gone.

Where to start: Whatever level of care you decide on, there are some basic things to know and do before making a final decision on where to board your pet. Price, comfort, health and safety are all valid concerns. After all, you’re entrusting someone else with one of the most emotionally valuable things in your life.

Ask friends, neighbors, family, and your vet or dog trainer for recommendations. Then do a little background investigation. If your state requires licensing and inspections, make sure the kennels you are considering are in good standing. Also ask whether the prospective kennel belongs to the American Boarding Kennels Association. This trade association promotes professional standards, requires members subscribe to a code of ethics, and offers accreditation for professionalism, safety and quality of care. If you’re satisfied that a kennel meets basic requirements, schedule a visit.

What to look for: First impressions are important. Sniff the air as soon as you walk in. There should be no strong antiseptic smell or odor of urine or feces. Some antiseptic odor is understandable in concrete areas, but if odors assail your nose as you walk in the door, you may want to consider another kennel.

Look for a pleasant atmosphere. Do the current boarded dogs look happy? Do they come to the front of the kennel to greet you? Dogs that lie to the back and do not interact are a bad sign. Is the staff competent, confident, friendly and caring or do they seem harassed and irritable? Are there a sufficient number of workers or are they short-handed and overworked? Is the kennel owner ready and willing to show you where your dog will be housed and exercise areas? If not, cross this one off your list.

Make mental notes as you tour the facilities. Are dog beds clean? Look for clean food bowls and water bowls without scum or floating objects. Are the runs clean or is there feces lying around? It’s impossible to keep all runs clean 100% of the time, but you’ll be able to tell the difference between filth and recent deposits. Is the kennel yard full of debris? Is the building in need of serious repair? Is there good ventilation and a comfortable temperature? If possible, take a look at the kitchen. A clean kitchen is a good indicator of a clean pet area. Get a tour of outdoor exercise areas and runs. Are they protected from the elements? Is the noise level overwhelming? Although it is impossible to prevent dogs from barking, especially while someone is walking through the facility, the kennel should not be overcrowded to the point where dogs are constantly barking. Observe any activities offered. Note especially how aggressive dogs are handled.

Brass tacks: If your first impressions are favorable, then get down to details. You need to know if pets are required to be current on vaccinations. Some kennels now require that your dog be vaccinated against Bordetella, canine kennel cough. Many kennels will allow you to bring your dog’s regular food. It not only cuts down on their costs, but helps your dog adjust to kennel life. If it is important that your pet stay on his regular diet, ask; don’t just assume. What veterinary services are available? Does the kennel have a vet on call? You may prefer that the kennel call your vet if there is a need. Make this information readily available and let your vet know that your pet will be staying at a kennel while you are gone. Ask questions about feeding schedules. If your pet needs regular doses of medication, make sure this service is offered. Find out how much exercise your dog will be getting and how often they are allowed to potty. Can you bring your dog’s bedding from home and his favorite toy? Is it important to you that a staff member be on the property around the clock? If so, make sure this is the case at your chosen facility. Be sure to get a breakdown of charges. Some services are included in basic daily rates, some are not. If price is an issue, get the details worked out up front so you won’t be surprised when you get home. And last, but not least, trust your instincts. If you just don’t feel good about a particular kennel, go somewhere else.

Prepare your pet: So, you’ve taken all the preliminary measures and selected a kennel for your pet. Now you need to prepare Rover for his stay. If the facility offers doggy day care services in addition to longer term care, give your pet the chance to try it out. Take him once or twice for just the day. Take special note of his first impressions and reactions. Quiz the staff on his behavior and interaction with the other animals.

Be sure your pet knows basic commands. Make sure he is current on vaccinations and is flea-free (most kennels require it). If your pet is going to be at the kennel for an extended time, you may consider a trial run of a weekend excursion. This allows you to work out any kinks before the longer stay. If necessary, teach your dog to sit before being petted or fed and to walk quietly on a leash. Socialize him to strangers, especially if medication or grooming will be provided at the kennel. Make sure he is accustomed to a crate if he will be in one at the kennel. It will make the stay less stressful and fearful for your pet.

Prepare the kennel staff: No one likes surprises, not even kennel staff who are accustomed to working with all animal personalities. If your dog has any unusual fears, aggression triggers or other idiosyncrasies, be honest for the safety and well-being of all involved. Let them know if Rover is not reliably housetrained, hates men or eats things he’s not supposed to.

On kennel day: Exercise Rover before you turn him over to the kennel staff. Leave the kids at home. Walk in the kennel door, give Rover a gentle pat, tell him you’ll see him soon and let him go. Long goodbyes, hugs and tears will only stress out your pet (and you). He’s not going to hate you for leaving. Go have fun.

Coming home: One last thing, don’t be surprised or alarmed if your dog segregates himself and sleeps a lot upon coming home. He is not upset with you or had a miserable time. Dogs in kennels are awake from the crack of dawn until nighttime. They are excited by barking dogs, meal times and visitors walking past them. He may simply be exhausted.

Boarding kennels can be a good solution for those times when your pet has to be left behind. Do your homework and find the best facility for you and your pet. It is well worth the time. Your peace of mind and your pet’s health are your reward.

Sherry Massey
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/pet-care-partners-boarding-kennels-92441.html