Working from home can open up all kinds of opportunities you might not have if you worked in a more traditional setting. For instance, you now have the flexibility to work out during the day, be there for your kids when they need you, and even bring home a new dog or cat. However, you may be worried about whether you can balance the responsibilities of being a new pet owner and a new business owner at the same time. The following helpful hints courtesy of My Pet Command can make the most of these two great beginnings.
Consider Becoming an LLC
If you haven't already done so, now is the time to look into registering your company as an LLC. It is easy to do and offers several important advantages:
- Keeps creditors from attaching your personal assets if your business is ever sued.
- Avoids "double taxation" — paying business taxes and getting taxed again when you draw an income from it.
- Requires minimal paperwork, much less than becoming a corporation.
- Costs very little, especially if you use a formation service like ZenBusiness (saving on hefty lawyer fees!).
Getting this out of the way before you bring your "fur baby" home saves you time and energy later on, especially during tax season.
Adopt, Don't Shop
Animal shelters and rescues are constantly overwhelmed with unwanted dogs and cats, particularly in the South, where fewer animals are spayed and neutered. Adoptapet.com and Petfinder.com are two great online search engines that you can use to find the right pet for you. Puppies and kittens, as well as adult animals, are always available. Many organizations can even arrange to transport the animal to you, already spayed or neutered and with up-to-date vaccinations.
Be Prepared With the Right Plan
Make sure you have most of what you need before your pet arrives. Make sure you can take frequent breaks to take your pet outside, and have a plan for busy days where you may not be able to spare the time. Bringing in a dog walker or scheduling a pet visit from a pet sitter can give your furry friend the attention they need, while allowing you uninterrupted time for work-related tasks.
Chances are, you’ll be spending a fair amount of time inside working and unable to spend devoted time with your furry partner. One solution for pups, especially when the weather is nice, is letting them spend as much time outside as possible. If you don’t have a fenced-in yard, look into underground invisible and GPS wireless fencing. There are pros and cons to these fences, so spend some time researching the products.
Make Time for a Smooth Transition
If at all possible, try to clear your schedule for at least a day or two when you bring your new pet home. Martha Stewart notes that this is an important bonding period for both of you and you will need a little practice getting used to one another, as well as time to help your pet acclimate to the new home. Also, decide whether your pet will be allowed to hang out in your office, and plan how to deal with the barking, whining, or meowing that is likely to happen, especially if you close them out.
Just as you would with your new business, expect there to be challenges with owning a new pet, especially in the beginning. As with your new business, most pet-related challenges can be overcome with a little research, planning, and dedication to see it through. If you take a similar approach to both, being a new business and pet owner can be incredibly rewarding.
My Pet Command focuses on animal products for training, containment, grooming and surveillance, with a passion about designing and developing our own high-quality value products with our technical expertise and experience. Contact us today! (888) 686-6495
