If you love animals and are looking for a way to make extra money, take a minute to consider starting a pet sitting business. Is a service that will always be in demand, especially during the summer months when many pet owners tend to schedule vacation time.

In actuality, the pet sitting industry has grown tremendously over the years… so much so the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, which was founded in 1989 by just a few pet sitters, now supports thousands of members.

It is a business that can be performed in your own home, provided you have the space, or the home of your clients. Initially, you need to make the decision as to which animals you prefer to care for. You might choose to offer services strictly to dog and cat owners or branch out to care for fish, reptiles, exotics and even small farm animals.

You also need to choose what types of services you want to offer. They include (but are not limited to) basic pet care, dog walking, pet transportation, grooming and/or “pooper scooper” services.

Some pet sitters add to their income by offering house watching services in conjunction with pet sitting. A house with an “unlived in” look is highly prone to burglary. Performing tasks such as bringing in the mail and newspaper and turning on lights in the evening will help to reduce the possibility of a break-in.

Since you will be going into other people’s homes, it is a wise idea to get bonded. The process is both simple and inexpensive and will protect you in the event of a variety of unlikely scenarios such as accidental damage to client property or possessions.

There are several ways to advertise this type of business. One no-cost method is to post your service on Craigslist and bulletin boards in brick-and-mortar establishments. You can also get permission to leave business cards in locations like pet stores or veterinary offices.

A pet sitting business is the perfect choice to start on a part-time basis. It is entirely possible to generate income working just a few hours each week.