Start my own bunny-sitting “business”??

[Little Lion Head]

All this talk of vacations and people needing bunny sitters (plus our going to the sitter for 9 days starting Saturday) has me thinking. There really seems to be a shortage of bunny-savvy, trustworthy rabbit sitters out there.

I’m seriously considering advertising us as bunny sitters. We have a huge basement (our buns are on the first floor) that could be used for this. Our bunny sitter is only charging $10 per day for both buns and providing hay, a condo/xpen, and litter boxes. We already get our hay in bulk pretty cheap (thanks JR for recommending Small Pet Select) and its no big deal to have the other stuff. I think I would charge $10 per day per bun though.

Does anyone do this? Would I require a special license to advertise myself? I was thinking of ads at local vets etc. It could be a good way to pay PumpRock’s vet bills!!

[Sarita]

I’ve only done this on a casual basis for friends. There is always a risk of having people you don’t know come to your home and running a business from your home – most likely not covered under your home insurance….in fact probably not if people are entering the home which they would be in this case…that’s the risk in an actual business.

Obviously those pet sitters who go into people’s homes when they are not there should be bonded….

You may want to look up pet sitting associations on-line to get the best information.

[Nuggets Momma]

Also consider the risk of bringing in “foreign” rabbits with unknown health issues.  A liability waiver would be a must.  Plus what if they bring in snuffles, fleas, parasites ect?

[JackRabbit]

I’m kindof with the others. There’s the liability issue of a business in your house, and the “unknown” bun issue. Its one thing to bunny sit for friends and swap vacation sitting but another to take in pets that you don’t know the medical history of and take and clients you don’t know. Unless its swapping sitting with friends, even friends should “donate” funds or something for you taking the time to care for their pet.

If you really want to do this, definitely get applicable insurance, and seriously think about only taking buns in that come with a personal reference from your known rescue/shelter or vet and a medical condition “certification”. That way, if a bun has a medical condition, you know to ask about specific needs and can choose to accept or not accept.

[Sarita]

I’m not entirely sure how a liability waiver would hold up in court which would be a question for a lawyer – just to make sure it’s worded correctly….know I’ve signed a few, but never had anyone sign one….if it comes to that.

[emm_renn]

I think it is a good idea and i’ve thought about it to myself. But only just putting my name out to come to people’s homes and sit for them while they are out.

[Deleted User]

Oh gosh, l hate looking after other people’s pet’s – I worry!!!

And if looking after someone else’s bunny is like looking after Henry, $10 a day isn’t enough! I’d need $10 an hour!

Lol!

[Sarita]

LOL AH, your son Henry PM’d me earlier and told me he would pay ME $10 an hour to take him away from the “funny farm” :~)

[Deleted User]

That DAM bunny using my computer again…..
I keep telling him no matter how much he offer’s for someone to take him away – no one will, he is way toooooo naughty! Silly bunny!

LOL!

[Little Lion Head]

Haha i would watch Henry for free…at your house Andi. I’ve always wanted visit Australia

See this is why i come to you guys. You get me thinking about things that I wouldn’t have!

I wonder if I could avoid people in my house by meeting them. That’s what we’re doing with PumpRock’s sitter this weekend because she lives an hour away. I suppose there will always be people adamant about seeing the set up, etc.

I like the idea of advertising through the vet because i know any potential buns are being seen and I might be able to verify their health.

Hubby is afraid it would just make me want more of my own!

[JackRabbit]

LLH, I hate to break it to you, but BBers have special bunnies that multiply even when spayed/neutered. We always want just one more, and then some of us get our bunnies a bunny . .

[Deleted User]

Oh gosh JR, I was going to say something to Justina about that on the chat thread, ha hah ha! How cool….. then the bunny got a bunny – soooo FUNNY! Love it!

Edit to ADD – Your welcome here ANYTIME Justina!  But good luck looking after Henry, lol! He will wake you at 4am doing binkies, zoomies, or sit there staring at you willing you to wake up while looking over your head wondering what’s on the bedside table that he can vandalise…. SO, when can I expect you??? LOL!

[Little Lion Head]

Haha well only if I can bring PumpRock. Pumpkin will mount his head and put him in his place while Rocky finds a nice safe place to hide, happy that Pumpkin has found a new bunny to torture!!!!

[Deleted User]

LOL! Poor Rocky….
Of course! You HAVE to bring PumpRock!!! Fun fun!

Giggle…..

[emm_renn]

i want to come too! i want to meet steve irwin’s family and then visit hobbiton in new zealand!

I want to get my bunny a bunny! right now she is very alarmed by the school buses

[MoxieMeadows]

I would be super worried about bringing in buns that could possibly be sick in a house that my buns are in. Maybe I’m a little paranoid with Moxie’s health issues.

Also I agree with you AH, I hate watching other people’s pets. I get too nervous they will get sick/injured while I am in charge.

[Little Lion Head]

Make room for more Andi!

[Sarita]

I used to foster rabbits and at one time had up to 12 rabbits in my home and never was concerned about any illnesses – the rabbits were kept in the same room but separate cages and could not get at each other…it’s not that big of a concern in my opinion…the bigger concern is are you willing to medicate and take the extra care for an ill rabbit that you might rabbit sit.

[Little Lion Head]

I would definitely keep the “outsiders” in the basement, a whole floor away. There would be no contact and I would have separate supplies.

I am actually very willing to do meds and treat illnesses the best I can. Part of why I want to do it is b/c I wish there were more ppl out there as knowledgeable and caring as we are when it comes to our pets.

A friend of mine is going to send me a website she saw where you can advertise. I’m going to do more research and really think about it (and plus make sure hubby is truly on board) before we make any decisions.

I was also thinking that I could ask for something from their vet that they are being seen and/or are healthy or they could sign a release so I could call their vet and make sure their buns don’t have anything contagious.

[Deleted User]

Over here you can only leave pets in a boarding kennel with a vet vaccination certificate. No certificate – no boarding.
We have never left out pets at one, the ONE time we went away we left the dog’s with my hubby’s parents and they barely coped. Could you imagine us leaving Henry with them??? Ha ha ha ha…… That would be funny!

[Sarita]

Well, if you are willing to medicate then you are going to be taking rabbits who are ill so I’m a little confused as to why you would need something from the vet that they aren’t sick.

If they are away from your other rabbits then I don’t think you need to worry about anything contagious….just my opinion.

[Little Lion Head]

I guess I was thinking like eyedrops or if we had to do CC Sarita.

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