NEW BUSINESS SP OTLIGHT : Bella and Me
Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Business_Matters/225508/
FAYETTEVILLE — Renee Buckley longed to get away from her desk at a bank and pursue her love of animals.
So she decided to offer her services as a pet sitter for owners who are away from home. Her services can be arranged when families are going out of town or in the middle of the day while the owner is at work.
“A puppy left alone all day isn’t good,” Buckley said.
For owners who are out of town, Buckley will also pick up mail and deliveries, water some plants and turn on lights to make the house look occupied.
The Bella of her business’ name is her own dog, a Great Pyrenees. However, the gentle giant is too large to take with her on pet-sitting visits.
Buckley, 26, will care for dogs, cats, birds and fish, including multiple pets. She said she does not work with reptiles because she is not familiar with their specific needs.
Buckley will walk the pet, or just play with it, as the owner wishes. She can refill water bowls, feed the pets on schedule as directed and give any medications the animal needs. If asked, she can brush or groom the pet as needed. She will also scoop the litter box or clean up any accidents.
Buckley said she can arrange for medical treatments in case of a pet’s illness, but needs to have written authority for the veterinarian.
“It’s better to keep a dog at home,” Buckley said, as she believes some dogs don’t enjoy kennels or doggie day care.
She loves to see how excited the dogs get when she arrives. She likes to play fetch or other games with them. Buckley finds most dogs already know the sit command, but she likes to work on training.
“Dogs are completely different when their owners aren’t home,” Buckley said.
Home visits can be scheduled between 6 a. m. and 10 p. m., seven days a week. If multiple visits are scheduled during the day, she spaces them evenly.
Service rates are competitive with similar businesses, but she tries to be flexible, Buckley said. Generally, for one or two pets, a 20-minute visit is $ 16. Three visits during the day would be $ 45 per day. A one-hour visit would be $ 40. Birds or fish are not part of the pet count for multiple pets.
Her general service area is within 15 minutes of central Fayetteville, which includes Farmington, Johnson, Springdale and Greenland.
New clients should contact her three to five days before they want visits to start. She’ll make an initial in-home visit to get acquainted with the owner and the pet, and provide a signed contract and service agreement outlining the specific instructions.
The client should provide a door key, contact information for the owner and veterinarian and a release form authorizing veterinary care if needed. Bella and Me is bonded and insured.
Buckley marketed her business by leaving business cards and fliers with veterinarians and groomers in her service area. She e-mailed friends about her new business and asked them to forward the e-mails to their friends. She also has donated gift baskets, which include an appointment coupon, for several fundraisers. In addition to some advertisements in local media, Buckley and a friend are adding to the Bella and Me’s Web site at www. bellaandme. com. If you recently opened a business or know of a new business in the area, please call Sue Morris at (479 ) 770-8468 or e-mail:
smorris@arkansasonline. com
DETAILS LOCATION: www. bellaandme. com PHONE: (479 ) 527-3941; cell (501 ) 818-1081; renee@bellaandme. com HOURS: By appointment OWNER: Renee Buckley PRODUCTS / SERVICES: Walk or play with pets, feed, water or give medications to pets, including dogs, cats, birds and fish TYPE OF BUSINESS: Pet sitting START DATE: February START-UP FUNDS: $ 60 FUNDING: Self