A woman has shared how she earns an extra £100 a month with her pet care side hustle looking after dogs.
Louisa Clack, 30, joined dog-sitting group Rover in June 2023 and has earned £400 so far thanks to her four-legged friends.
The PR consultant, from Horsham, said: “I really love dogs and spending time with them, so I thought why not earn some money doing something I enjoy while work was a little quiet.
“I also like that it keeps me active as my day job is mainly sedentary and can be a little lonely too.”
She said she has especially enjoyed working with anxious dogs, helping build their confidence in going out for walks.
She said: “I am a dog person through and through! I’ve been around them all my life and know the best ways to take care of them and bring them happiness.
“I’m a dog owner myself and I use the items I have already for my dog, so I don’t need to buy things I wouldn’t be buying already.
“With the money I’ve saved, I’ve enjoyed spending it on little treats for me and my family, such as days out and meals.”
She hopes to continue with her pet care side hustle and to expand it so she can split it with running her business, spending three days on her enterprise and three days with her tail-wagging clients.
She has had around 10 bookings including two repeat customers. She explained: “Nearly every week in the summer I walked a lovely sheepdog who was partially-sighted, and I’m on my fourth visit this week with a nervous Dalmatian.
“I walk the dogs in a variety of places, often near the owners’ homes, so it’s allowed me to explore the local areas too – woodlands, fields, parks, even street walks. My walks are usually an hour long each.”
Louisa partnered with CashLady.com to share her story. Dan Whittaker, personal finance expert at the group, said: “We love Louisa’s story: it’s a fantastic example of how Brits can make an extra bit of cash, while doing something they love.
“Side hustles can be a great way to fulfil your goals, whether these be financial targets or more personal goals, such as improving a skill, increasing your levels of physical activity, or enhancing your social life and wellbeing.”
Louisa encouraged anyone thinking of becoming a dog sitter to make sure they have enough experience. She said: “Dogs mean the world to their owners, and each has their own personality, so ensure you are up to the task of more challenging ones and are able to take on the responsibility of caring for them.”
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