As a pet boarder, you spend a lot of your time with cats, dogs, and other pets. Your passion is taking care of animals and making sure they’re happy. Whether you are a full-time pet boarder or have this as a side gig, there are always steps you can take to be an even better pet boarder.
At Pet Care Insurance, we not only provide highly-rate pet care insurance, but we also provide business tips for pet professionals like yourself. Today we’ll share with you four tips to help you improve your career as a pet boarder.
Tip #1: Have a Website
If you don’t already have a website for your pet boarding business, consider creating one. A website is the perfect place for you to list your services, have pricing and contact information readily available, and to have online reviews from your clients.
You can also list your business on Google My Business, so potential clients searching for a pet boarder can find your business. Not only does this help gain more traction to your website, but you can also have reviews on Google. Ask your current clients to leave reviews on Google so potential clients can see the quality of your work. Take a look at this blog to learn more about the importance of online reviews.
You can also add an online booking service to your website so your clients can see your schedule online and make an appointment with you.
To get started with creating a website, there are several different resources you can check out. Wix, Squarespace, and GoDaddy are just a few. If you already have a website, consider revamping and updating it so it is consistent with your business’ branding and has a fresh look.
Tip #2: Get Insurance
When forming a pet boarding business, having insurance may not be at the top of your mind. Even if you have been running your business for some time now without insurance, now would be the perfect time to get insured. Insurance not only provides protection and peace of mind for your profession, you also get a financial safety net in case an accident occurs.
If a pet escapes through an opened door, you lose the keys to the owner’s house, or a pet damages the owner’s property while in your care, you can be held responsible. Don’t let one small accident sweep away your financial resources. Having insurance also gives you a competitive advantage—giving your clients peace of mind knowing that if an accident occurs, your business has coverage.
With Pet Care Insurance, you can have pet boarding insurance at the affordable price of $292.20 per year. This is a small price to pay compared to having to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket if you didn’t have insurance. Purchase a policy today so you can have the coverage you need and do what you love with confidence.
Tip #3: Have Clear Communication
An essential quality of being a successful pet boarder is having clever communication with your clients. When you show up to each of your appointments, make sure you clearly understand what your client is trying to communicate to you—this can include specific directions of how to care for their pet, any allergies they may have, what they like and dislike, and things you need to know about the house. We’ve created a list for you and expounded below. Make sure you are attentive and ask questions if you don’t understand something.
Diet
Be sure to ask the pet owner what food to give their pet and what times they normally eat. Only give the food the pet owner specifies. Ask your client where the food is kept so you don’t have to search for it.
Medication
This is one of the most important things to know about as a pet boarder. Before your client leaves, ask if their pet takes any medications. You need to feel confident in the medication you are giving the pet, the schedule of the medications, and the dosage.
Comfort Items
Some pets may have certain items they need that keep them comfortable. This can be anything from a playful toy to a cozy bed. Ask your clients about any comfort items their pets may need and how/when to use them.
Unique Behaviors
Each pet responds differently to situations. Ask your client and be sure to understand any unique behaviors their pet may have, and what to do if they are behaving in that way.
Your Expectations
Not only is it important to understand your client’s expectations, they need to understand yours as well. Discuss when and in what form you can expect payment, how your cancellation policy works, and when you can expect your client to be returning. Making sure that you and your client are on the same page is the key to success.
Tip #4: Update Your Contract When Needed
When you started your pet boarding business, you likely created a pet boarding contract each client needs to review and sign. Make sure any changes you make to your business that affects your clients are changed and updated in your contract. This can include added services, updated prices and policies, and more. Communicate with your clients to ensure they understand these changes, and have them sign a new contract when needed.
Best of Luck!
We wish you the best of luck with your pet boarding business! Create a website or update an existing one, purchase pet boarding insurance, always have clear communication with clients, and update your contract when needed. We hope these four tips will help you be an even better pet boarder.
