Glynco Sitter Expectations
Pet Parents expect Pet PROs to visit 20, 40, 90 minutes or 10 hours.
Set a timer onm your phone for 5 minutes less than this mount of time so you can take one more look around, making sure you have done it all plus a little extra!
20 minute visits
up to 3 pets
this is the most popular visit
client is traveling when they schedule this visit
Big 5:Home & Big 5:Pets- Every. Single. Time.
discounted dog walk
client not out of town
dog walk
client not out of town
anytime of the day visit
visits without dogs
sitter chooses time to go inside the time blocks between 7am-9pm.
40 minute visits
4-6 pets
more pets means more instructions to read, routines to follow, pets to communicate about so more time is allowed and more pay is provided
spoiled rotten for 40 minutes
this visit is for extra quality time spent following whatever instructions are requested. Long walks, couch cuddles, play time.
90 minute visits
visit starts at arrival at clients home and ends at locking of clients door
drive dogs to closest trails. Ask manager on duty if you don't know where to go.
10 hour visits
these are the overnight visits 9pm-7am
should include at least 60 minutes of direct attention morning & evening/ walking, feeding, cleaning up & 8 hours of sleep
visit is done by the sitter only, no friends or significant others attend these
What is an Independent Contractor?
Independent Contractors provide goods or services according to the terms of a contract that they have negotiated with an employer. Independent contractors are not employees, and therefore they are not covered under most federal employment statutes.
As an IC, you have the flexibility to choose your own work schedule!
As an IC, you can deduct business expenses, Glynco Pet Sitters recommends you keep a mileage log.
The instructions you follow and time of visits come directly from the client(s).
You can have your own separate clients apart from Glynco Pet Sitters, but you may not solicit Glynco Pet Sitters clients.
As an IC, you are responsible for your own taxes owed including but not limited to social security and income tax. Glynco Pet Sitters will send you a 1099 by January 31 of the following year if you make over $600 during the calendar year.
You are not insured by Glynco Pet Sitters, so if you do not feel comfortable taking a job, please speak up!
You can stop or pause your relationship with Glynco Pet Sitters at any time for any reason, and Glynco Pet Sitters can do the same.
You do not have to give 2 weeks notice and Glynco Pet Sitters does not have to give a reason or notice if we choose to not contract with you for future clients.
Why would Glynco Pet Sitters not contract with someone again?
sitter fails to show up for a client appointment
sitter fails to arrive or stay the expected amount of time
sitter fails to follow client instructions, perform Big 5: Pets & Big 5: Home Every. Single. Time.
availability no longer matches client needs.
Pet Parents Pay Pet PROs
Pet PROs vs. Pet NOs!
Pet PROs are consistently available when clients need them
Pet NOs are available every third Wednesday for 47 minutes
Pet PROs prioritize the pet's schedule never leaving them without a potty break more than the client prefers
Pet NOs visit at 6pm before partying all night, then again around 10am when they finally roll out of bed
Pet PROs are happy to meet a client's neighbor while out on a walk
Pet NOs are embarrassed that they are still rocking their pajama pants
Mission Statement of a Pet PRO
How can I be a Profitable Pet PRO?
I am obsessed with people first, then pets, then profit!
because people pay the bills, the pets are fun and I am working to make money, not just because I love it.
I WANT to run into a client or their neighbors!
so they can see how much I love my work with pets, and I can gain a possible new client right next door.
I enjoy starting and ending my day with pets, even on holidays!
because I know that is when my clients need me, and so do the pets!
If this described you, you will be a Profitable Pet PRO with Glynco Pet Sitters and our clients!
What do I do at a pet visit?
Do all Big 5: Pets & Big 5: Home before play time/petting time. It's not just tummy rubs and walks in the sunshine, get the work done first!
Big 5: Pets
Big 5: Potty Routine
dogs outside to do business, not just sniff, walk or play fetch
you're not done until potty business gets done
keep litter box sparkling CLEAN
Big 5: Food/ Water
wash water bowls & refill
feed according to directions
notice if bowls should be taken up between visits/ food aggression
clarify with client before you arrive if unclear
Big 5: Medication
note timing and dosage
clarify with client before you arrive if unclear
always include information about medications in message to client
speak up before arrival if you need help administering meds
Big 5: Location
eyes on each pet even if you have to look under beds for hiding kitty
keep closed doors closed
crated, loose, backyard, walk?
pets may be confined to certain spaces for their own safety
Big 5: Communication
close each visit with a pic of each pet and a short, positive note. "Bella took her pill with no problems." "We played fetch and Jinx did all his backyard business." "This is our last visit for this sit. If you need anything else, or your flight gets delayed, please let us know!"
take pics of happy pets in action, tails wagging, tongues dragging. No crated dog pics.
selfies of you loving on their pets is PERFECT!
make sure your visit is closed in the TTP app before pulling out of the driveway
to message client without closing visit- search client, click chat. Before you ask clarifying questions, read instructions once more. Need alarm code after closing? Search the client information inside the app.
Big 5: Home
Keeping the pets happy at home lets us provide peace of mind to our clients!
Big 5: Keys
keys in door or on body AT ALL TIMES
double check that all doors are secure
Big 5: Mail/Packages
check the front porch/doorway area/ garage for packages and bring inside
stack mail neatly
Big 5: Plants
water according to instructions
ask for clarification!
Big 5: Confidentiality
client privacy a top priority
no gossip
we do not talk about our clients
Big 5: Clean Pet Areas
sweep around litter box/ food areas
wipe food prep areas
vacuum/sweep/mop (when necessary) messy paw tracks
How does Glynco Pet Sitters support me as a Pet PRO?
M.J. makes sure to touch base with clients to get as many clarifying details as possible before the sits are scheduled. Good instructions make doing an excellent job easier and hopefully clients see this as more of a reason to work with us...and even to request certain sitters.
We work through the schedule to create the most efficient route based on each of our sitters availability, and clients needs. Keeping clients happy, and money in your pocket is important to us.
We work hard to market to our target area, and to expand into the areas that we receive requests from. The more clients we get in a confined area the less you have to travel between clients, wasting gas and time...The more clients you are able to visit during your availability to help increase your weekly pay.
We are on call on the weekends, after hours for any emergency situations that may arise to ensure that our pet sitters have the support they need when they need it.
We work with our new sitters to help set clear expectatins for a high level service. Our clients prepay, so additional tips are often based on the previous sitters performance and/or the client feeling the extra efforts of a job well done. Excellent, consistent service, regardless of which sitter is used, serves us all especially the pets!
Glynco Pet Sitters pairs Pet PROs with Pet Parents. Our pet parents pay our Pet PROs-$500+ a year. How many happy pet parents would you like to serve?
I am ready to be a part time pet sitter, what's next?
Download the App
After your form is submitted, and we have decided if we are a good fit, you can look for this logo to download Time to Pet app.
Create a short cut to the timetopet/dashboard to set up a TTP account & update your profile
Make sure you have already submitted our Join Glynco Pet Sitters form.
Add Availability
We are working on creating a video to show you how to do this step...but if you are fairly tech savvy you may want to give it a go on your own.
We ask that by the 20th of each month, you add the availability for the following month including at least 2 full weekends.
You will be offered whole sitting jobs. We prefer never to split a job unless we have no other choice- clients prefer this!
Getting Paid
Pay arrives each Tuesday for visits completed the previous Tuesday-Monday.
Tips are paid the 2nd Tuesday of each month. When there is a tip, you will receive the entire thing unless you split the sit with another sitter.
Want to make more money? Add more availability on weekdays and full weekends.
FYI
YouTube is your friend! Wondering how to deal with a robo-litter box, litter genie, or a harness you've never used before? Watch a video. Try to figure it out before asking for help on the sitter line, and especially before bothering the clients.
A manager is on duty daily from 7am-9pm if you cannot figure something out. We do as much as possible before resorting to messaging the clients.
New sitters have messages approved before going to our pet parents. Make sure your messages are positive, factual, and similar to other messages sent. Please don't look for things to be wrong so you can be the hero that noticed. Cat vomit is nothing to note to clients.... out of the ordinary amounts of bodily fluid IS something to note. Ask a manager if you are uncertain before mentioning to a client.
What to do about a bite or scratch? This is infrequent and so far has not happened since we have been in business....though it is something we are prepared for if it should. We meet pets before we agree to care for them. We do not care for aggressive dogs. Still, be mindful of your behavior, take new dogs slowly. Watch for signs from dogs/cats to learn when they have lost interest in playing with you, before this ends with a mark.
Don't get in the dogs faces, or reach for toys out of dogs mouths or get involved in pet fights. If you have any fears of any pets, put that client on your do not visit list.
Bites are EXTREMELY rare because we only contract with PROs that know how to behave around pets. If you do get bit, make sure you are safe, make sure the pets are safe, then clean the bite location. If you feel the bite warrants attention, seek medical attention. You are not covered by an insurance policy by Glynco Pet Sitters.
Please speak up immediately in the event you are not comfortable with a particular client/pet for any reason. All bites get follow-up from the county, so be prepared to explain exactly how and why the bite occurred so the pet doesn't lose it's life over improper behavior.
Whether on a walk or a potty sit, you want to make sure they get their potty business done. You want to ensure they do not find any random "treats" to eat that can make them sick or give you/the client a big mess to clean up. You want to stay with them while they are outside, paying close attention to everything that they are doing. This is not the time to answer your text messages, or catch up on the phone with a friend. It's not glamorous, but we get paid to ensure pets handle their potty business where and when they should. A sparkling clean litter box is your friend. A poop free backyard is, too.
How can I be as profitable as possible?
Availability when pet parents need help is key. Consistent mornings and nights, whole weekends, and holidays are key. Its fun work, but it's not the most convenient work which is why you are paid well, and tipped often particulary around the holidays.
Everyone wants one sitter on their one job whenever possible. Work your schedule around the pet parents needs and keep all the pay/tips instead of sharing with another sitter.
Mark your calendars now to be available on busy dates. Would going to the beach after school starts in August instead of July and making some extra money be worth it to you? Would pushing Christmas breakfast to brunch to make extra $$ in December be worth it to you? Only you can decide.