When Kristin Morrison was 18 years old, she wrote in her journal: “I would love to get paid to walk dogs.” That dream became a reality a few years later when the Marin native stumbled upon a woman while walking in Blackie’s Pasture who owned a dog-walking business and offered her a job on the spot. For Morrison, who grew up looking after everything from dogs and cats to turtles and ducks — even a horse — it was the perfect fit.
Three months later, she started her own pet-sitting and dog-walking company, which she ran for nearly two decades until she sold it in 2013.
Pets are still very much a part of her world. Since 2000, the 51-year-old Greenbrae resident has worked with thousands as a pet business coach, sharing her expertise through her company, Six-Figure Pet Business Academy, as well on her podcast, “Prosperous Pet Business.” She has also written five books about the industry.
Q Did you grow up taking care of people’s pets?
A When I was younger, I did some pet-sitting for our neighbors. I didn’t see it as a career path when I was doing it. But, I always loved animals and my ideal life was to have a career that had to do with animals. What I was thinking was maybe a vet.
Q What qualities are needed to do well in the industry?
A They have to be motivated and passionate about it. In the beginning, it’s like having an infant. You have to nurture it a lot to have it grow in a healthy way. Occasionally, I would get people who would interview with me and think that they were pleasing me by saying, “I don’t really like people, but I love pets.” I would think, you’re not the right fit. It is a people business, too. I also work with people on life balance because it’s a caretaking position, so it’s important anytime you are caring for somebody else to take care of yourself, too, so you can show up for yourself and them.
Q What should someone look for in a dog walker or pet-sitter?
A Don’t leap for the app, because you don’t really know what you are getting and if they are doing it professionally. They might be there for a bit and then they are gone next year. It’s really nice to have continuity for your pet, so start by asking your local friends and family who they use. If you don’t have anybody, you can post on Nextdoor; that’s a great place to look for people. Do your own interviewing on the phone and then set up a face-to-face meeting. Important questions to ask are, how long have you been in business, do you have insurance, is it you who’s going to be coming into the home or do you have staff? Obviously, you want to see how they are with the pet. Are they petting them a lot and oohing and ahhing over them? You want that.
Q Tell me about a pet that’s influenced you.
A There was a rottweiler that lived in Tiburon, and I call him my doggy soulmate. I would walk his next-door neighbor’s dogs, a great Pyrenees and a little Tibetan terrier, and this rottweiler would be on the patio looking at me, and he would bark. His owner came out one day and said, “He never barks. I think he really likes you and wants to go on a walk with you.” And she hired me to walk him and we just developed such a close bond. He was a sweet, big dog. He really influenced me, and he cultivated my enormous love of rottweilers.
