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How do I shift from watching one dog to multiple dogs?

Lindsay S.'s profile image

Hey everyone! Long post but would appreciate some insight! I am a experienced pet sitter before I started on rover and since joining have built a very successful dog sitting biz on rover with lots of reviews and repeat clients. Currently, I live in a very nice town home but it has no yard. No one seems to mind because I take the pups to parks etc. I only do one dog at a time for the most part at my house. I am buying an amazing home on half an acre that has a 600 sq ft detached unit with electric and ac and an outdoor shower! The fenced yard is HUGE and has a pool with an additional fence around it. This is an investment property for me, as I am a real estate investor, and I am totally renovating it to make it spectacular. I will be air B and Bing the other 3 bedrooms in the home, and turning the detached unit into a doggie sanctuary!! My father actually makes luxury animal kennels, so he will be hooking me up with 6 to put in there. I’ll be adding a couch, tv, and lots of toys as well as a kiddie pool outside for the dogs and any other things I can think of to make it puppy heaven.

I plan on making my niche pet friendly air B and B, while also continuing to dog sit, now with the capacity for 3 dogs in my care rather than one. There’s a huge screened in porch and huge back deck.... I don’t plan on allowing air B and B guests dogs in the house (hence the couch and tv in the doggie sanctuary). My question is, how do I shift my rover marketing? Obviously I’m going to lose a few of my repeat clients who want only their dog in my care, but I think I’m general, I’m able to offer a lot more. I’m just nervous people’s expectations when doing rover will be that the dog stays in the house with me. I’m not trying to run a “kennel”, and if I know the dog and know they’re well behaved and won’t ruin anything on the first floor (puppy gate on the stairs) I’ll let them come in for a bit when I’m home. My office that I work from home in has French doors opening to the back yard, so I am able to supervise them playing while I work.

I obviously will let owners know that there will be other dogs there, and they will be crated over night and if I’m not there so as to keep everyone safe and not disturb guests (I’m usually home). I’m getting my own insurance and will have requirements that all dogs are fixed and up to date on shots and deemed “dog friendly” from rover and air B and B guests. Should I explain my set up to owners before the meet and greet? How ... (more)

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Walt G.'s profile image

If you change your mode of operation I would document that in your about me section but don't ramble on like you did in your question. Many sitters care for multiple dogs from multiple families at the same time but adding B&B guests into the mix may prove difficult to explain so I'd leave that out. Best of luck to you.

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Karen R.'s profile image

Your last question about needing a business license, you need to check with your local municipal authorities. Equally important would be to check your zoning laws.

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Deb A.'s profile image

I agree with Karen re. business license.

Re. everything else, I'd suggest adding photos showing off all aspects of "doggie sanctuary", with captions, even if it means removing older photos, clearly outlining it under About Lindsay, and When Lindsay watches your pet, and be sure to update About Lindsay's Home and In Lindsay's Home. I'd recommend you also show and explain during meet and greet.

Rover would encourage transparency (and I'd want to know if I was entrusting you with pet care): to know that you will be in the home (while you work,sleep, and more), and three tenants and pets will be living there, including your cat (a photo can be added by listing as "dog-other breed). There is definitely increased exposure for liability, so getting additional insurance sounds wise.

As for requiring "dog friendly" dogs, given your 15 years experience, you'd understand that even with friendly nice dogs Not all get along and triggers can result in issues where dogs that get along hurt each other, sometimes unintentionally if not supervised or separated at all times. If you have any contractors, tenants or guests in the yard, there's additional liability. And attention needs to be given when considering the chosen fence and height.

Comments

In reality, from what's described, it's a Luxury Kennel, comparable to upscale facilities where each dog has an enclosed suite. There's a market for that. Some pets&pet owners are fine with that. Research those places locally, since rover guests really will not be spending much time inside home

Deb A.'s profile image Deb A.
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