Solicitor makes €4k a year with her side hustle – PET SITTING

Meet the solicitor whose makes €4k a year on the side - working as a pet sitter.

Emma O’Hara, 28, started looking after strangers pets during her vocational training.

She found herself with free time and was looking for a way to make some more cash.

Animal lover Emma wondered if she could get paid to pet sit - and found out she could after Googling and finding an app.

Now she spends her spare time looking after cats and dogs for locals in Dublin and makes €400 to 500 a month.

Emma, originally from Belfast, Ireland, said: “I love animals.

“I had free time so I thought I may as well get a side hustle.

“I googled and found an app. People come to you. You can be your own boss.

“It like a dating but for pet sitters.

“It’s been a lifesaver.”

Emma found the app in September 2022 and created a profile for herself for pet owners to pick her to look after their animals.

If they select her the owners set up a meet and greet before agreeing to let Emma pet sit their animals.

She charges €18 an hour to feed, water and walk cats and dogs.

Emma said: “I do about three to four jobs a week. But it ebbs and flows.

“I got and feed and water the cats and if they are friendly I can play with them.

“Others are a bit older and are happy for a bit of company.

“I take the dogs out for a walk. It’s the best.”

Emma, who has her own feline, Zoom, would recommend the side hustle to others.

She said: “You build up relationships with people.

“They’re all animal people.

“It’s been such a lovely, hugely positive experience.

“All the animals are so different. The dogs recognize me – it’s so lovely.

“A Mexican rescue dog I look after - the owner wanted someone on board to get her used to more strangers.

“At first the owners came with me on the walk. Now she comes bounding towards me.

“That’s really rewarding.”