Pet and home sitting service

Pet owners and homeowners who want someone in the house while they are away, instead of kennels or an empty home.

A nightly rate per booking, with extras for multiple pets, medication, or longer stays. You pay your sitters a share, or do the stays yourself.

• Comfortable with animals
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Basic home and garden care
• Clear communication with owners

• Public liability insurance, and check whether it covers care of animals and customers' property
• Some councils and rental agreements have rules on pet numbers, check locally
• Check whether sitters would be employees or contractors, and workers compensation once you hire
• Busy periods like school holidays and Christmas can mean many bookings at once, plan your cover
• Emergencies such as a sick pet or a break-in, agree a clear plan with each client

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $300 to $2,000, depending on your insurance, marketing, vetting of sitters and any supplies you need. It's a low-cost business because sitters work in clients' own homes.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $600 to $3,500, depending on how many clients you book, how long each stay lasts and how many sitters you have. Busy periods like school holidays and Christmas can bring many bookings at once.

Check that your public liability insurance covers care of animals and customers' property. Some councils and rental agreements have rules on pet numbers, so check locally. Also check whether sitters would be employees or contractors, and workers compensation once you hire.