Rabbit sitting / Pet sitting in general?

Hi all,

Now my youngest child has started school I've been thinking about what I might do with myself.

I could carry on as I am, I work at the weekends and could probably find things to do around here, but I've been pondering doing some rabbit sitting.

I don't think there's anyone locally doing this, but I'm not even sure there is a 'need'. What I do I know is that when we thought about going on holiday this summer, we knew we'd struggle to find someone to look after 9 rabbits.

I guess most people would be pet sitters and look after a variety of animals, it's just that rabbits is what I know. Well we have two dogs, but I'm not sure about getting into the dog walking side of things. Although I guess limiting to just rabbits, means I'd be excluding potential markets.

I had thought about boarding too, but I'm not sure we have the space for that.

I came across a website called Pawshake, which is a site for pet sitters. You can create a profile for yourself and find customers through the site and your insurance is included (another consideration of course). All the bookings go through the site and they get a percentage of what you earn. I'm not sure how viable an option it is, or if it's better to 'go it alone'.

I'd appreciate any feedback. As I say, it's just an idea and may not even be worth the effort financially. Thanks in advance x

Loobers started a similar thread quite recently and received some very good advice. I really must learn how to quote threads.

From a personal point of view if I needed a rabbit sitter I would want them to be knowledgeable and experienced with rabbits as you are. One of my friends has done some cat sitting and dog sitting for other friends. Even though he is very responsible and has looked after them well I wouldn't ask him to look after my bunnies simply because he has no experience with them. I think only those with experience with rabbits know the importance of acting quickly when a rabbit goes off food, strict adherence to their current diet, etc. So I think you would be in high demand for conscientious bunny owners.

Good luck, it sounds like a very exciting new venture


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Thank you both. I'll see if I can find Loobers thread, Babsie.

Had a chat with my dh and he thinks I should include dog walking etc to get as much business as possible. He also said I probably need to take into account that it could be quite seasonal. Although it could just be that people are too busy etc, not that they are necessarily going on holiday.

My dd's have offered to help with the media side of things. Building a website, Facebook, leaflets etc.

I've been doing research and would need liability insurance and a crb check would be a good idea.

I'm trying to think what kind of hours would make sense and fit around other responsibilities and whether I could actually do this x

TheThreeB's said:

Thank you both. I'll see if I can find Loobers thread, Babsie.

Had a chat with my dh and he thinks I should include dog walking etc to get as much business as possible. He also said I probably need to take into account that it could be quite seasonal. Although it could just be that people are too busy etc, not that they are necessarily going on holiday.

My dd's have offered to help with the media side of things. Building a website, Facebook, leaflets etc.

I've been doing research and would need liability insurance and a crb check would be a good idea.

I'm trying to think what kind of hours would make sense and fit around other responsibilities and whether I could actually do this x

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Hi threebees,

I built my website, advertised on gumtree, made my own leaflets and flyers and had them printed. And to be honest with you I have only had three enquires about dog boarding which I don't have a license. So far it's been a complete waste of time and effort. In fact I've had to get a part time job back in a dental practice lol! I can sleep at night knowing I gave it a go. You have to try ir you will never know! When I have the money I will get my boarding license but for now I have already spent too much lol. Xx

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TheThreeB's said:

Thank you both. I'll see if I can find Loobers thread, Babsie.

Had a chat with my dh and he thinks I should include dog walking etc to get as much business as possible. He also said I probably need to take into account that it could be quite seasonal. Although it could just be that people are too busy etc, not that they are necessarily going on holiday.

My dd's have offered to help with the media side of things. Building a website, Facebook, leaflets etc.

I've been doing research and would need liability insurance and a crb check would be a good idea.

I'm trying to think what kind of hours would make sense and fit around other responsibilities and whether I could actually do this x

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This is my flyer I put up in the shops

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Thanks loobers, you've done an amazing job with your flyer and website. It's a shame you haven't had much interest.

It looks like there's a few others in your area, so it's getting yourself noticed, I guess. I'm not sure about cost etc or how you get on Googles first page. Do you have a Facebook page (sorry if I missed it) I think lots of people look for sitters this way too. I know on our local community page, people will often ask if anyone is available.

I don't know if I'll get anything off the ground myself, it's still just an idea in my head currently! x

TheThreeB's said:

Thanks loobers, you've done an amazing job with your flyer and website. It's a shame you haven't had much interest.

It looks like there's a few others in your area, so it's getting yourself noticed, I guess. I'm not sure about cost etc or how you get on Googles first page. Do you have a Facebook page (sorry if I missed it) I think lots of people look for sitters this way too. I know on our local community page, people will often ask if anyone is available.

I don't know if I'll get anything off the ground myself, it's still just an idea in my head currently! x

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I don't have Facebook because I don't like all the negative stuff I see on there. I imagine that does effect it. I got business's insurance for 120 and my website cost 12 and obviously all the different advertising online like gumtree. I think give it a go definitely. All my enquiries have been for the weekend so I will be able to do the bookings around work. I bought lots of dog crates too. Never mind lol xx

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I'd love a rabbit sitter such as yourself. To 'know' them through RU would be brill. In the same way I don't trust many vets with rabbits I wouldn't trust the average "pet lover" to sit. I do think if you had transport it has potential. I think most small businesses struggle with little or no interest initially (don't give up Loobers) so you really do have to persevere. If you're financially reliant on your weekend job I'd keep that going. That site sounds good as you could keep outlays low, garner interest & hopefully get some sparkling reviews to put on social media, website, flyers. Be aware you might end up sitting for bunnies whose needs aren't fully met - I'd guess charging a decent rate will filter out the less caring bunny folk who'd prob just give them extra museli or get a neighbour to pop in. I'd start with pawshake. I really hope it works out for you.

I think you should go for it! it's something I really want to do myself I actually think all animals need to have a pet sitter who is knowledgeable and preferably has real experience with the animal they're caring for - e.g. I can't imagine having a pet sitter who's only taken care of dogs/cats and knows nothing about ducks look after my ducks while I'm gone. There's just so many things they could miss, even with a comprehensive list of everything. However, buns do tend to go downhill faster than most animals what with stasis etc so it's really almost doubly important with them. I feel like most 'clued up' pet owners at least realize they need someone knowledgeable and responsible to look after their pets for them.

Loobers - that's shame you haven't had much interest. It's just got to be a matter of advertising more since you definitely have the skills for the job!

I hope it works out for the both of you

Deffinatley go for it. It's always worth a try.

I did attempt to start my own via social media. I had it going for about 8 months in our little village where I was constantly pushing it but there is already a pet sitter here who everyone uses :/

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loobers25 said:

I don't have Facebook because I don't like all the negative stuff I see on there. I imagine that does effect it. I got business's insurance for 120 and my website cost 12 and obviously all the different advertising online like gumtree. I think give it a go definitely. All my enquiries have been for the weekend so I will be able to do the bookings around work. I bought lots of dog crates too. Never mind lol xx

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Hopefully you'll get to use them when things pick up. I understand about Facebook, I don't have an account for myself, just sometimes have a nosy via my husbands, if it was solely for work though maybe.

If I did do something the majority would have to be week days, because I work weekends, but do have some free time then x

Thanks everyone for the input I'm gonna give it some more thought x

I'm a sitting specialising in small animals from Cats downwards including reptiles.

I can do dogs but choose not to as there are lots of dog walkers locally


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Just to add -- I found my latest pet sitter on Pawshake and she's fab
...most of the folks on there appear to be 'specialising' in cats and dogs, so someone with small furries experience will be in great demand I'd say!

Good luck!

Squishies said:

Just to add -- I found my latest pet sitter on Pawshake and she's fab
...most of the folks on there appear to be 'specialising' in cats and dogs, so someone with small furries experience will be in great demand I'd say!

Good luck!

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Thanks Squishies I'm definitely more interested in caring for rabbits, although I do have two dogs aswell. Never had a cat though. There don't seem to be many sitters in my area, but those there are do seem more dog orientated. I don't know if I'd make much as just a rabbit sitter, so Pawshake might be a tentative way to start.

As my dh works full time and I work weekends currently, anything I earn would just be a bonus income to go towards our own pets.

In the future I'd love to board rabbits, but I don't have a great deal of space left with my own 8 rabbits out there, maybe when we have our own house (military currently) x

TheThreeB's said:

Thanks Squishies I'm definitely more interested in caring for rabbits, although I do have two dogs aswell. Never had a cat though. There don't seem to be many sitters in my area, but those there are do seem more dog orientated. I don't know if I'd make much as just a rabbit sitter, so Pawshake might be a tentative way to start.

As my dh works full time and I work weekends currently, anything I earn would just be a bonus income to go towards our own pets.

In the future I'd love to board rabbits, but I don't have a great deal of space left with my own 8 rabbits out there, maybe when we have our own house (military currently) x

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Would you consider having your own website and advertising yourself privately?

Gem said:

I'm a sitting specialising in small animals from Cats downwards including reptiles.

I can do dogs but choose not to as there are lots of dog walkers locally
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I'd be inclined to do the same I think. But do you feel as if you are missing out by not including dogs? Or are you kept really busy anyway, with other animals? x

MightyMax said:

Would you consider having your own website and advertising yourself privately?

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Yes, potentially. I think I'm just a bit afraid to put myself out there in general, I'm not particularly confident and whilst I love animals I'm not so good with people.

I'm tempted to see how I go filling my time whilst my ds is at school, because it's as much about keeping busy and not getting in a rut as it is about extra cash x

TheThreeB's said:

Yes, potentially. I think I'm just a bit afraid to put myself out there in general, I'm not particularly confident and whilst I love animals I'm not so good with people.

I'm tempted to see how I go filling my time whilst my ds is at school, because it's as much about keeping busy and not getting in a rut as it is about extra cash x

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I''m not sure where you live, but have you thought of a bit of voluntary work for a Rescue? The Dogs Trust is always looking for people to walk dogs, for example.
It would have to fit in with anything else you were doing, of course, and not interfere with any paid work, but it may give you another interest. I always think you meet such like-minded people at Rescues. I did a little bit for HART Wildlife Hospital/Rescue when it was based in my village. I found that really rewarding and fascinating: when else would you have the opportunity to feed tiny baby birds with stuff from tweezers (or clean out stinky hedgehogs!)