Dog Walking For Extra Cash

Elle — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:00:41 +0000

This is a money making tip for the 50/50 Challenge.

Continuing the theme of finding something that you enjoy that can earn some money, I was looking at pet sitting and dog walking (which by the way are two different types of work schedules). I had done some while I was in college and enjoyed it, but it was never a regular side income. However, I discovered that people have not only made a little bit of money on the side, but they’ve created businesses from it.

Dog Walking: A Viable Income?

Let’s jump into the big question first. How much can you earn? Free Money Finance highlighted a post on earning money dog walking. I was impressed by the numbers. I had no idea what people paid or charge for that.

A dog walker can walk about 4 dogs in two hours (and more if you offer group walks or outings) at $15 per dog that’s $60+ for a couple of hours work. Most stay-at-home parents can squeeze in at least 4 hours of work per day so let’s just make that an even $120. So for a part-time job you can earn $600 or more per week!

I think that can be a good injection of income for those looking to earn more.

Getting Started with Dog Walking

As with everything, start small and build it from there. Start putting up flyers in grocery shops in neighborhoods where you think there would be clients that need your services. You may have to charge a bit less than the going rate to get started, but make sure you start raising your rates as soon as you get 4 or so clients.

Be professional with your clients, have a set schedule, keep accurate records, and let word of mouth help you build your business. Unless you plan on making this your full-time occupation, keep the amount of dogs you walk manageable. Once you start offering bad service, it’ll spread just as fast (if not faster) with potential clients. Instead you may want to have a little referral business where you divert to other dog walkers for a cut.

Go the Extra Mile

If you’re looking to bump up your income, there are a few ways you can do that. People who pay for others to watch their dogs typically have very strong concern over the well being of their pets. Provide something genuinely valuable for them, addressing their needs.

If you have the resources, start an online Pet Newsletter for your clients and possible interested ones. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be helpful. You can include tips about pet care, community events for animal lovers, and perhaps interviews with local vet offices. Offer it free to your readers. As it grows in subscribers you may want to offer space (for a fee) in the newsletter for local businesses.

Besides helping your clients, you’re also promoting yourself as a professional. You’re also spreading the word about your services, which in turn can bring in more business.

Looking for More Information?

If you’re interested in building your income with dog walking there’s The Dog Walker’s Startup Guide. I discovered this while looking up information for the post. Several people have recommended it, including FMF from Free Money Finance. You also might want to check out a small business that has been successful with this niche.

Thoughts on Dog Walking for Money

How many of you have dog walked or watched someone’s pet for money? How much did you charge? You may not be able to do this, but can you think of someone else who would want to earn more money? If you have a teen that’s looking for more spending money, perhaps you can suggest this as a possible business opportunity.

Photo Credit: my talking tree

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Saving on Pet Care

Elle — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:30:53 +0000

Taking Care of Your Pet

Having a pet is not cheap, so if you’re struggling to make ends meet and want a pet, please wait. Even though there are ways to cut someof your expenses down, it takes money to take care of an animal.

Being frugal doesn’t mean being skipping on vet visits and buying low quality food (which in turn can aid a pet in gaining weight and developing other problems). It means saving money in case a serious problem comes up and you don’t worry about paying the light bill or your dog’s surgery.

Please be responsible and only get a pet if you can’t afford the basic care.

Tips on Caring For Your Pet

Find a Good and Affordable Veterinarian

If you have a fixed income, consider speaking to your local animal shelter. Some of them have clinics with reduced fees for vet visits and commonly used medications for lower income families.
Also ask around for more information on vets in your area. A good vet can save you money if they can diagnose the problem early.

Also don’t be afraid to ask the vet if you can workout a payment plan. Some are willing to work with you if you’re upfront.

Consider a Healthcare Plan for Your Pet

PetSmart also has the Banefield clinics which are supposed to be affordable to most people. They also have a monthly health plan that covers many common appointments. I haven’t used it, but my sister swears by it.

Keep Your Pet Up to Date on Vaccinations

Some cities sponsor events that offer vaccinations at lower than normal costs. Take advantage of such programs.
Vaccination Recommendations for Cats

FVRCP(Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Chlamydia)
Rabies
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)

Vaccination Recommendations for Dogs

DHLPPC (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Corona combination)
Bordetella (Internasal)
Rabies
Giardia
Lyme

Play with your Pet

There are a lot of cheap toys you can buy to keep your pet entertained. My cat is addicted to his 99 cent toy mice. Remember, though, your pet’s best companion is you. Don’t just buy toys, interact with them regularly.

Don’t underestimate the benefits of playing with your furry friend. By exercising with your pet you’ll

Keep your furry friend healthy
Get some exercise for yourself in

If you have a dog, taking him or her out for a walk is good both physically and mentally for them.

Groom Your Pet Yourself.

Keep their nails, teeth, ears, and hair clean. My cat isn’t exactly a fan of when I use the fine tooth comb for his hair, but he loves when I use the wider toothed comb because it’s like a massage. You also save some money.

Your Take on Pet Care

I’m curious to see how many readers are pet-owners. Do you have pets? How many? How do you take care of them?