I talk to a lot of people who are just starting out in the pet sitting business, and one of the most frequent questions I’m asked is, “Can I really make a living with a pet sitting business?” My usual answer is yes, but you have to work at it.

As with most things in life, what we into something most often effects what we get out of it. Owning and operating a pet sitting or dog walking business is no different. And when I mention that there are large companies making six figures I sometimes hear a gasp on the other end of the line, or if I’m with someone in person I see a look of shock on their face. At that moment it’s as if a light bulb goes on and they realize that if they work at it, they too could have a decent, if not great, income from their own pet care business. Of course, there are also people who brush it off and say, “Oh, but I could never get there” and to those people I say “you’re right.” As the old saying goes, you gotta believe to achieve.

Dierdre Weissman is definitely one who believes in herself and her abilities. She and her husband Zeth have an extremely successful dog walking business in Philadelphia, PhilaPets.com. The Philadelphia Business Journal has an article on her. You’ll have to subscribe to read the entire story, but here’s an excerpt…

Deirdre Weissman knew for years that she wanted to accomplish two things. “One was to work with animals, the other was to open my own business,” Weissman said.

The two came together in January 2004, when Weissman started a small, informal pet-care service, walking dogs and feeding cats. As she headed off to veterinary school later that year, her husband Zeth took over the fast-growing operation, working with Deirdre’s guidance to transform it from a hobby to a full-fledged business.

Today PhilaPets.com walks 1,100 dogs and scoops the litter for some 1,500 cats whose owners may be at work or out of town. The business will gross $650,000 this year and could hit $1 million next year, Zeth said. In a world of mom-and-pop dog-sitting services, PhilaPets.com brings to the table a high-tech edge and a formal business structure.

PhilaPets.com is also one of our long-time advertisers, so of course…I’d like to think being listed in our directory has played a part in their success. You can learn more about PhilaPets.com by visiting their website.

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