I am so poor!

Re: I am so poor!

Sharon Kelly — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:27:00 GMT

Thanks SaskiaVN!

Heather, I would always spend a bit of time there, groom, feed and clean up after the cats plus open and close curtains, collect post, water any plants. Sounds like loads of work but it really wasn't once you were in a routine and the client felt that they were getting a service they wouldn't get from a cattery!

I would visit as many times a day as the client requested/was prepared to pay for, sometimes even 3 or 4 times a day for fussy owners. I would sometimes do a lunchtime walk for a dog left alone all day but I never stayed over as I have my own gang to look after so it was mostly do cats/small furries. Oh and chickens! :-)

It all started with a 20 year old hyperthyroid cat who the cattery wouldn't take responsibility for as far as giving meds go, so offering to visit for the needs of pets who need special care is a good place to start. Giving insulin/tablets is more than most catteries will do and it's a lot to ask of a friend who may otherwise have looked after the cat so there is a huge potential market. I could almost have built my business to full time but I had to limit things a bit cos I was still working fulltime!

It was fun and I miss it as I moved away and gave all my lovely clients and pets to another nurse at the practice. I used to get loads of pressies too, bottles of wine, chocolates and many thank you cards. Great job! Also of course, it changed my finances from just-surviving to having extra cash for holidays and a social life....

Would seriously recommend it!

Best of luck!

Re: I am so poor!

Heather Christie — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:22:47 GMT

Is that all you do, just visit the pets? I thought you had to spend the whole day with them and virtually move into the clients house. Pet sitting sounds a lot more fun now

Re: I am so poor!

Saskia Quinn — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:20:38 GMT

Thats a really good idea Sharon, well done for posting it

Re: I am so poor!

Sharon Kelly — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:18:56 GMT

Ouch!

Have you thought about pet sitting? A couple of years ago when I was feeling poor, I set up my own pet sitting business, mostly looking after cats in their own homes when the owners were on holiday. I charged £6 for 1 visit and £10 for 2 visits per day and would often find that I was earning an extra £200-300 a month!

Cos I was still in practice then I advertised on the noticeboard in the surgery, and later got some business cards made (£2.50 for 250 cards on vista print website) although recommendation was my biggest source of new clients.

It did mean I had to get up an hour earlier to feed the cats on the way to work but it totally turned my finances around so was well worth it.

Good luck with whatever you decide....

Re: I am so poor!

Rachel Jayne — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:38:00 GMT

After being off sick for 10 days, I only got paid £700 last month, then I've had £425 mortgage & bills, a £140 car service & mot, £66 road tax, two birthdays to pay for & I'm still waiting for a bill from my boiler breaking down....

Life's pretty crappy at the mo......

Re: I am so poor!

Louise B — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:18:07 GMT

Tell me about it - huge bill (rivals yours!) just before xmas and now its dropping oil again....

Re: I am so poor!

F1chick — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:47:49 GMT

Yeah, I have done.........Cars are great when they are working and dreadful when they aren't!

Re: I am so poor!

Louise B — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:35:21 GMT

Oh no, that sucks, poor you

Can you pick up anymore vetfone work?