- Apr 14, 2025
- 3 min read
So, about 2 and a half years ago, I had the brilliant idea to start pet sitting for some extra cash. I'm always open to new ways to make money and have fun while I do it. More than 7 years ago, I gave up the "corporate 9-5" job lifestyle. First, I panicked—I was collecting unemployment but dreaded going back to the office jobs that for sure included office politics and drama. So I started my first "fun and part-time job" at the chiropractor's office (working on 6 years here!). I love it—while it's not mentally challenging, I get to talk to people, be social, and make money. There's no drama as there are no other employees. Next, I stumbled on some other small jobs—working for a pool company remotely, a plumber also remote, a vodka company—also remote. None of which lasted super long. I then followed the wild hair and started working at a bridal shop. I started just working weekends (something I said I would NEVER do again), and not long after, I started working a few afternoons and weekends. I truly love this job. It allows me to be extremely social, help people find the dress of their dreams, and have fun!
At some point, I must have decided I had plenty of spare time on my hands (who knows why I felt that!), so I signed up on Rover as a pet sitter. Now I have branched out—I have repeat customers not on Rover, have business cards that I hand out, and a Google and Yelp listing. The thing I love about pet sitting is that I'm able to work at my other jobs, do stuff at home, continue my social life, and best of all—I get to hang out with all the best dogs!
How do I manage to take care of other people's pets, work my jobs, and take care of my 11 cats? I don't do that single-handedly—I have some help. Gene—the loving husband who never gets enough credit—handles the daily medicines that have to be given (Clara and Jasper, plus the occasional sick meds). When I'm house-sitting, he also keeps an eye on the food bowls and water bowls. His theory on them is a little different than mine. As long as they have one water bowl and food bowl filled upstairs and one set downstairs, they are good to go—so he keeps that up. I, on the other hand, keep several food and water bowls filled on both floors.
Gene doesn't do litter scooping; that waits for me. I try to make it home at least once a day (midday is my preferred time) to take care of the litter and puppy pads. I've got it down to a science, so it takes about an hour-ish if I stay focused and don't veer off to anything else. Gene will clean up the occasional throw-up spot or a really stinky poop.
He keeps me updated on the supplies we need (food, litter, medicine, etc.). When we get low on things, he tells me, and I push through the Chewy order. Sometimes, if we only need one or two things, I'll just head to PetSmart. I drop stuff off, and it ends up wherever it needs to be.
The only time I don't make it home midday or after work for a quick visit is if I have a super needy set of pets, multiple drop-in visits, plus an overnight. Then I spend my midday break letting out dogs, walking them, and tending to my house-sitting pets. During those times, if I'm really nice, Gene will do the litter once or twice during the week for me.
Gene absolutely does not get enough credit for taking care of my P.I.T.A. cats. More recently, we have been doing a weekly date day, and that ensures we get some quality time together to enjoy each other's company.
Without Gene, I wouldn't be able to focus on my house-sitting pets and be successful. My cats miss that I am not home as much, but I do try to make time for nap-time with Roughy, TV time with Smokey, facials with Clara, meat snacks for Dobby, and time with the general population for Jasper. Fortunately, the rest of the cats aren't as demanding for attention or one-on-one time with me.
A happy house, is a house that communicates and keeps a good calendar!
Till our tails cross again,
Melanie
