Customer Reviews

The Professional Pet Sitter: Your Guide to Starting and Operating a Successful Service Edition 2005 Newly-Revised Includes Business Forms

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have always dreaded the bookkeeping aspects of running a business, but the forms and accounting procedures in The Professional Pet Sitter make it all so easy. It's also a pleasure to find a learning guide that has been written with a little humor; I'm actually having fun reading it! My brother spent 30 years in the banking business helping people get their new businesses started. He was very impressed when he saw how thorough and orderly I had prepared to set up my new pet sitting business. I followed the advice quite closely and appreciate the Mangolds' wise counsel and simple common sense. Their step-by-step guide helped me set up my business in less than two months. I'm now my own boss and I've never been happier!

I was anxious to begin my pet sitting business but apprehensive without a proper guide to the specifics of this field.
After reading reviews on this and other similar books, I purchased "The Professional Pet Sitter", and the price seemed reasonable.

The book is set up in an easy to read and understand manner with several illustrations. I gained valuable business information geared specifically for the pet sitter. The Mangold's take you through every step of conducting the daily business from bookkeeping, to the security of your clients information, to the love and care of pets necessary to succeed in this business. The last few pages are full size, duplicatable forms which further the success of a pet sitting business.

After reading this book (in just a few hours I might add) I find the information to be priceless and I am geared up to begin my new venture.

When I first started thinking about starting my business in the early-mid 90's I picked up this book and devoured it. Then, it sat on my shelf as I pursued my 'corporate ladder' and took care of pets part-time.

When I decided to open my business full-time I again referred to the book. It really kept me inspired and ready to move forward. However, I did find that many of the suggestions were somewhat outdated -- using paper to track clients and schedules was never part of my plan -- but the basics of what they recommend you track/keep were great -- and I adapted the info to my on-line database. Since then, I've switched to a third-party service for an on-line database for client info, but the info I learned from the Mangolds' book was great.

I did read this book before Patti Moran's and tend to refer to it as the original 'bible' in my mind. But both books cover the same territory and give you a good overview of wht to expect. Petsitters are generally GREAT with pets and like the idea of spending time with them, but often have a hard time with the business side...this book is a great guide and reminder that you are in it to make money.;

As my business grew (http://www.peggiespets.com), I started helping other pet-sitters start or enhance their own businesses, ([...]) and this is a book that I include on my reading list for clients.

It's a good book that should be part of your learning library to continue to provide outstanding service to pets and their people!

Peggie Arvidson-Dailey

I am trying right now to start a pet-sitting business. I purchased this book a few weeks ago, and I found it very helpful. It has many details in it on how to stay organized. It talks about licenses, accounting, employees. It is written by a husband/wife team who own their own petsitting business, and basically outlines in detail their procedures they use for all the aspects of pet-sitting. This book is extremely helpful for those who want to start a pet-sitting business, but are not sure how to get started.

"The Professional Pet Sitter" is sort of a hybrid. It's about starting a business and it's about taking care of animals. This book shouldn't be the only one you read about either of these topics, but it does a good job of addressing the issues of starting a business that are specific to sitting for pets. There's an emphasis on the importance of process and paperwork. There are sample forms - Client cards, service agreements, ledgers, etc. And there's a good discussion of the day-to-day organization that the author's have found effective in running their own business. In the preface, the authors say explicitely "We won't tell you how to give pills, walk dogs or clean bird cages." Don't buy the book looking for that.

I wasn't sure about pet sitting when I ordered this book, but now I'm convinced this is the right field for me. I can do what I love and earn an income, too! This book did all the hard work for me ... it helped me organize and set up the basic business, decide how much to charge, and find effective ways of marketing (without paying for advertising). It also comes with all the business forms for my home office, and a sample service agreement to share with my clients.

In addition to professional bookkeeping advice, the Professional Pet Sitter offers tips on how to avoid common mistakes when watching other people's homes (I wouldn't have thought to "wear" the housekeys in order to avoid locking myself out!). There is an 18-point service routine that walks you through the time you arrive to the time you leave. I'm sure I'll learn a lot as I actually begin to build my client base, but the Mangolds' book is getting me off to a wonderful, INFORMED start. I'm very, very glad I invested in this guide.

I have read The Professional Pet Sitter cover to cover and am particularly impressed with how thorough it is. I'm amazed that the book does not cost more, considering that it covers every aspect of starting and operating a pet sitting business. It even contains a Service Agreement and the required business forms, which other authors sell separately. I always have this guide with me, just to make sure I have not forgotten anything as I learn my new business. Considering content, forms and inspiration, I definitely give this two thumbs up!

This book put me in the right direction. The information is complete and you will find yourself going back to it time and time again to refine your business. The forms are complete and can be used as is or you can design your own. They start you in the right direction with all the good and bad things that can happen to you and how to plan your first day of pet sitting. I found it very complete and informative.

When I took early retirement after 25 years in the Banking industry and began a career in pet sitting, I found a treasure in "The Professional Pet Sitter." It is a gem not only in the useful information it contains, but also in the caring philosophy conveyed by its authors, Lori and Scott Mangold. Whether you are considering pet sitting as a full-time or part-time venture, this book is valuable. With time being a precious commodity in today's fast-paced world, I found that "The Professional Pet Sitter" provided clear-cut, easy-to-locate details on how to establish a successful service. As a further boon to launching a pet sitting career quickly and effectively, all appropriate business forms are included in the book. Thanks to the Mangolds' encouragement and expertise embodied in "The Professional Pet Sitter," my business is now in its sixth year and flourishing.

This is a wonderful book for anyone starting out in the business or for those who are already actively involved. It is full of useful information and can be used as a reference manual in multiple areas when business questions arise. I would highly recommend it!