Petsitters Unaffected by Economy?
According to an article in the Ft. Worth’s Start-Telegram, the petsitting industry has been relatively unaffected by the economical slump and rising gas prices we’re all battling. Interesting that most businesses are feeling the effect, but petsitting continues to grow…
The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association expects spending on pet services will increase about 7 percent this year.
“The pet-sitting business is actually quite good,” said Felicia Lembesis, executive director of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. “It is increasing despite the economy.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean that petsitters aren’t making slight adjustments to make their businesses work through the tough times:
In Fort Worth, pet sitters are rethinking their business strategy by cutting their coverage areas and charging additional gas fees for visits.
Zita Mason, owner of a 3-year-old pet-sitting business, said she loves her job. But last year her business plan changed as gas prices surpassed $3 a gallon.
Mason increased her appointment charge by $2 over two years and brought her mobile business closer to home. She downsized her service area to a 10-mile radius of south Keller and in the process lost about half her clients. She helped them find other pet sitters.
“I work less now, but I retain more money,” Mason said.
For other petsitters, not even these adjustments are helping them through the economic troubles.
“People don’t travel as much, and then I don’t work as much,” said [Sean] Fraser, who owns Kritter Kare with his mother, Gale Bessire. “It’s a big circle.”
Their 4-year-old business has more than 100 clients, and they have raised rates from $15 to $17 a visit to help cover the cost of gas.
Bessire said she has turned down new clients who live outside a 7-mile radius in North Richland Hills because of gas costs.
“I would say business is 60 percent down in the last four months,” Fraser said. “But right now, I’m going to hang in there.”
So, petsitters, where do you fall in the scheme of things? Have you noticed a difference in your business? Have you made adjustments to help offset expenses?
June 27th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Fortunately, our clients come to US…we care for them in our homes…daycare to long vacations. The people in our area, Seattle, have an abundance of disposable income and our service is pretty high end, but we keep waiting for the shoe to drop. So far, so good! We have a great reputation and advertise by word of mouth, so being well established helps. The new dog walkers who see an opportunity and fill a need are coming and going quickly due to the cost of gas, etc.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:50 pm
My business has actually increased so much so that i’m turning new clients away because i can only handle so many jobs. There is a real lack of Professional sitters in this area, and alot of “fly by night” sitters, or people who say they are experienced are losing business due to a simple lack of customer service. People are willing to pay for quality. I’ve raised my prices by $3 a visit to clients outside of my town. No one has complained and they seem to be really understanding of the situation.