Wishbones for Pets – Pet Sitter Annual Community Event

Thanksgiving is a time for counting our blesings and enjoying time with family. It is also the time of year when we give to the less fortunate so they may enjoy a good meal.

At this time of year pet sitters also come together for pets in need and collect pet supplies and funds for local pet shelters and pet agencies. The campaign is called Wishbones for Pets and is an annual event that runs each year during the six weeks prior to Thanksgiving. The event was established in 2004 by Janet Depathy of Under My Wings Pet Sitting in Plymouth, MA.

Pet sitters work with local businesses to organize and place donation drop-off stations at their locations and select a local pet shelter or agency to which all items collected will be donated. It is a great marketing opportunity for the pet sitter who can get publicity from the event, and brings additional traffic into the local businesses. It’s a win-win for the shelter, pet sitter, and businesses that host the drop off stations.

Consider donating items for the pets at your local donation station by contacting a Wishbones for Pets pet sitter near you. You can find a list of participating pet sitters at:

http://www.wishbonesforpets.com/petsitter-reps.html

Let your clients know about the event by placing a link on your website, placing a link in your newsletter, or leaving a note for them at your Thanksgiving visits.

Put the event on your calendar for 2009 and get involved by organizing your own local community event. You can find more information and the registration forms at their website. They also have a forum where you can network with other participating pet sitters to get some tips and advice to ensure your event is a big success.

Owning a pet business does not guarantee you success, but it is generally not difficult to set up your own pet business adn many who own pet businesses love the hard working lifestyle and the closeness to pets. You will have to compete with those who may be better trained, may have lower cost structures and those who “pretend” to have your skills and experience when they do not. (eg not all those who advertise themselves as groomers are actually Groomers).

There are also key skills that all dog industry professionals should possess. Here are some of the most critical skills and abilities for those hoping to work with dogs professionally: Basic Dog Handling and Training Skills, ability to recognize behavioral signals.

Animals can be somewhat unpredictable when they are under stress or in an unfamiliar environment, like when they visit the veterinary office or the grooming salon, so it is important to be attentive and stay aware of the animal you are handling at all times.