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Questions about pet sitting/sitters?

OK, I have a project for class where I have to run my own business. I want to start pet sitting and found out a lot of info, but I have a few questions.

My 2 aunts always go out of town together, and they usually put their dogs in a kennel but they both said I can use them as "clients", and this weekend is the first time I will be pet sitting.
1st off, I read some sites and they said that they leave a "log". What type of info is on the log? Because it would be good to leave my aunts's dogs a log.

And, my overhead costs are low (compaired to others in class) is this normal for a real pet sitter?
I have included insurance and a bond, business cell phone, red cross pet first aid certification, small SUV w/advertisments on the side, and computer/printer/fax machine, 1 dog crate (in SUV) some leashes, treats, poop waste bags and water bowls. Anything else I may need?

and......do you have any names I can call my business?

I was thinking ....."All in a Dogs Day", what ya think?


Thanks

Public Comments

1. This term "log" is so out of context that I'm not really sure what it's referring to. Some kennels will provide a detailed log of what the dog did and when so the owners can keep tabs. So, it would be like

9am - 2 cups owner provided dog food
10am - 2pm - outside play session with other dogs
2-4pm - Quiet time inside in the kennels
4pm-6pm - Outside play time
6pm - 2 cups of owner provided dog food
6pm-9pm - kenneled for the night


For the actual operating costs, you have not included
Gasoline
Advertising
Cleaning Supplies for accidents
First Aid Kit
Attorney fees to draw up contracts
Membership fees to national pet sitter organizations http://www.petsitters.org/
Savings account for damages you may accidentally do either to the home or to the dog
Obedience training/hands-on experience on multiple levels with various types of dogs so you know how to work with animals of varying breeds (you wouldn't treat a Greyhound like you would a Bulldog)
Nail Clippers (for clients that are gone awhile)
Brush (for clients that are gone awhile)
Towels to clean up after walks

2. I have been pet sitting for years. I have never kept any sort of log, but I would if the client wanted me to. I just usually leave a note that everything was fine or note any problems. Many clients want pet sitters to do other things like water plants indoors or out too, bring in mail, handle deliveries or service/ repair etc. people who might come while they are away. You will have to be prepared to, for example, call a plumber & clean up the mess & pay for it if you go in the house and find a broken pipe has flooded it. Most clients are OK, but some are a PIA. Ones who do not leave enough food for the entire time they will be gone or you get there and find they left cash & a note to go buy the pets food because they forgot....yadda yadda. There are also the short notice people- just got asked today to do a 4 day starting this weekend. I had plans already, but they are a good regular client & I need the money, so my plans got changed. I used to have a client who had dogs the kennels would not take because one was a biter, so you gotta deal with that and with people who do not pay you promptly. I have also had a dog get acute w/ hemangiosarcoma while I was taking care of it, so you have to know how to pick up on something like that to take the dog to the ER Labor day weekend & a credit card that could handle it as the client was in South Africa & could not be reached. I've also has dogs have seizures & have had several diabetics to care for. Oh yeah, cats who need pills that run and hide when they hear you come in the house. I am a vet tech, but a pet sitter really needs to know how to recognize when a pet does need immediate ER care.

That is the worst, most of the pets & clients are great & I really enjoy pet sitting!

3. i like the name :O) i have been working as a pet sitter for over five years now ... i do not keep a log but i do take a picture a day and email to the owner ... just a short email about what we did that day ... and they love seeing their dogs ... (you could add a digital camera and a webcam to your list, i use both often) ... i do not pay insurance or have a bond, i do have a cell phone, i did take red cross doggie first aid, i do not have a car as all my clients live within walking distance ... i have a computer and printer ... no fax, that is so 80's :O) and you can fax for free with any computer and an internet connection ... a crate is a good idea ... small leashes are a good idea ... every client i have drops off their dog with an extendi-leash and that is not how i walk a dog so i do have shorter regular leashes on hand ... treats are not necessary to carry around ... poop bags good idea ... i have a collapsible water bowl for walks but most clients bring their dogs bowls ...

http://youtu.be/ou_czUfSf6w - dog sitting, it's a hard job but someone has to do it :O)