As you know, millions of American families go on vacation every year. It's the great American Summer tradition. And now, with travel prices going down, many more families are expected to travel this year.

This is why now is the perfect time to start a pet-sitting, dog walking, or doggie day care business. With families on the move, demand is going nowhere but up.

More and more families are opting to hire pet sitters instead of getting family or friends to care for animals while they're gone.People are finding that pet sitting is easier and more affordable than they thought, and pet sitting businesses are reaping the benefits.

Advertising this kind of business is also easy. These kinds of local businesses can benefit from small ads in the paper, posters hung around town, and even Internet advertising. There are also services that specialize in providing a secure environment where pet owners can quickly match, screen, and select pet sitters, dog walkers, and pet care centers. Pet owners can often easily find these kinds of services in their area, and pet sitters are notified of the needs owners have.

Pet owners love their animals like part of the family, and they want to be sure they are well taken care of while the family is away. Starting your own pet sitting, dog walking, or pet daycare service is a great way to fill this need and start a productive business. If pet sitting is up your alley, you're definitely barking up the right business tree.

Copyright 2005, Ian White

Ian White

When one of Ian White's coworkers told him that an expensive listing in a housesitting directory hadn't paid off, Ian had an idea: Why not create a web site that could match housesitters with homeowners anywhere in the world?

At the time, it was just an idea... but when Ian found himself out of work one day after a long career as an IT professional, he decided that rather than go back to working for someone else, he would go into business for himself on the Web.

And his decision has paid off handsomely. Access2000.com.au has grown into a directory site offering matching services to five distinct and profitable niche markets. By simply duplicating his "niche-matching" efforts, Ian has seen his revenues soar to a year -- even though he only spends an hour a day running his business!