RV Dog Sitting? Opinions! - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

RV Dog Sitting? Opinions!

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I was brainstorming some on the road money making ideas, and thought, what if I put a nice, professional looking sign on the truck or trailer that said, "Pet Sitting, I will watch your pet for the day while you go sight seeing" (or something to that effect). So, while I am parked in a campground, and I'm working on the computer, I can just have the dogs there keeping me company, and charge mom and dad $10 or $20. What do you think? Good idea? Would you go for it, as a pet owner?

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good idea in general just a few refinements and thoughts. If you are soliciting business while being in a campground you must get the permission of the management. We have 3 cats and may have a dog also, we would not want our pets leaving our rig, we would want you to go to our rig, walk our dog, feed our cats, clean the litter, and hangout for a few minutes. For this service we would gladly pay on a day that we planned on being out for 7 hours or more.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ask for permission, and cross my fingers they say yes, it would be sort of a "value added" to the camp. I could go either way, visit the trailer, and feed the pets, or have them stay with me. I thought some people might not be comfortable giving the keys to the rig to a stranger.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I feel the same way as Gene , and it would lighten your responsibility up....checking on the rig and taking care of the pets during there absent is a plus, it gives your customer a little security while there gone.

Bringing a pet back to your unit takes the pet out of its environment and creates stress......also you bringing them to your unit makes you stand out like a sore thumb and if you have a day where you end up with several your in trouble not knowing if each gets along.

I have had several kids over the years stop to walk the dog and had at one park someone who did just what you are asking at 10 bucks a day....5 days a week while I left to do service calls.

pet sitting and baby/child sitting is a nice fallback for a small monthly income and it all adds up.......and most campgrounds dont have issues with it.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would love to have that option. We used a pet sitter when we do a "fly away" vacation, our kitty travels with us whenever we have the trailer in tow. Once we're FT, I still anticipate a few fly away vacations or family visits. We've already been talking about what to do with our beloved feline when those trips occur.

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina wrote:
Ask for permission, and cross my fingers they say yes, it would be sort of a "value added" to the camp. I could go either way, visit the trailer, and feed the pets, or have them stay with me. I thought some people might not be comfortable giving the keys to the rig to a stranger.

(value added) not necessarily, something goes wrong, dog bite, lost dog, lost cat.....etc.....campground can be liable...

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina wrote:
Ask for permission, and cross my fingers they say yes, it would be sort of a "value added" to the camp. I could go either way, visit the trailer, and feed the pets, or have them stay with me. I thought some people might not be comfortable giving the keys to the rig to a stranger.

Regarding giving keys to stranger.....most pet owners consider there pets much more valuable than there things. If I am trusting you with my pets, my things are no problem.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

LOL.......I was thinking the same my last post......you can take my things,steal the RV....but if you take or mistreat my dog , we have a problem.....LOL

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
LOL.......I was thinking the same my last post......you can take my things,steal the RV....but if you take or mistreat my dog , we have a problem.....LOL

Thats the truth Mike.....

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

OKAY, looks like a go! I am trying to come up with a mixed bag of $$$ streams, and the pet sitting will be easy, as I am at home working on the computer a lot. I can get a magnet sign for the truck, maybe get my trailer spare tire cover done, and some free Vista Print cards. Nickels and dimes all add up, and I'm an animal lover, so it's a win-win!

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

We regularly see Pet Sitting flyers in the laundry room of RV parks that we stay at. There have been several occasions we'd love to have someone check in and love on our beloved Kiki (kitty) while we are out and about. In Florida in particular, a lot of full time RVers and snowbirds go out on cruises, so pet sitting within the RV Park is definitely a need.

- Cherie

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

You are taking on a lot of liability & responsibility when you enter someone's home (RV) & care for their pets. I've been pet sitting for almost 12 years & I wouldn't do it without being bonded & having liability insurance. I know many sitters who have been held responsible when a pet in their care has become ill or been injured. In most cases that I know of, the pet sitter didn't do anything wrong but was responsible for the pet when the accident or illness occurred, so they had to pay. Vet bills can add up very quickly.

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina,

Great idea. We're hire you in a heartbeat. Might be good to check your insurance just in case. Wow, Cindy you know many sitters who had to pay, really sad!!!

We have an awesome sitter here and i wish we could take her along. She charges $30.00 per day and walks dog about 5 tines a day. You should charge at least $20.00 IMHO (well maybe not so humble)!

Sherry

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cindy, the insurance thing is a good idea, but aren't we all over burdened by insurance as it is? (I'm already paying $1,600 a year for my small business insurance, I do self hypnosis self help MP3s and CDs, and can just imagine some idiot listening while driving, then going off a cliff). I could imagine the cost of insurance negating any profit, as this would probably not be a regular gig. How much does bonding and insuring cost anyways?

Jane

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

The cost depends on the amount of insurance that you get, but generally I've only paid a few hundred dollars for the year. Bonding is inexpensive at about $50. The insurance is not a burden to me, as it offers me and my clients peace of mind. One incident or accident could easily cost more than the insurance. But we each have a different comfort level, so it may or may not be right for you. I think it's just good to be aware of potential issues before starting any venture, especially since you'd be dealing with two of the things that are most important to people, their house & their pets.

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

Regarding insurance, I pay large premiums for my business, others who do the same thing as me opt to fly uninsured. At the end of the day some of my competitors may have larger profit margins and that's a good thing. I however prefer a goods night sleep safe in the knowledge that should the day come where in need it, it's there...

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yeah, my business insurance was considered "exotic" and I have Lloyd's of London. It's kinda in the same genre as river rafter and adventure tourism. hmm

So Cindy, how do you go about getting bonded, and what insurance companies do pet sitting?

Jane

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you google pet sitter insurance and bonding you will come up with a ton of them.....I was going to post them but it would be better for you to review whats out there and whats in your budget

Good luck
Mike

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

Since you already have business insurance, I'd start with that company & see if they can assist you w/the bond & insurance.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I could call my other business insurance group, they may be amused at my occupation, "online sound healer and hypnotist/RV pet sitter".

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina: Have you went on to Technomadia's website?? They have a chapter on occupations for RVers. Worth checking out.