What Kiwis Really Want When They Hire a 🐶 Pets Professional
In New Zealand, pets are part of the family, and Kiwis expect exceptional care and genuine connection from any pet professional they hire. Whether you're offering walking, grooming, sitting, or training, understanding what local clients value most can boost your business and build lasting relationships. Here are 10 practical tips to help pets specialists in Aotearoa stand out and succeed.
Here are some tips that you might find interesting:
1. Build Genuine Trust with Owners
Kiwis want pet professionals who genuinely care about their animals as loved family members, not just another job. Taking time to really listen to owners and understand their pet’s quirks and needs builds trust from the very first meeting.
Weirdly enough, many clients rate kindness and patience above technical skills. Showing calm confidence and empathy makes people feel safe and valued.
For example, pet sitters in Christchurch often find that offering a free introductory meet-and-greet eases nerves and builds rapport with both pets and owners.
2. Offer Clear, Honest Communication
Clear, honest communication is key in the New Zealand pet care market. Clients want to be kept in the loop about their pet’s wellbeing, schedule changes, or any concerns.
This means confirming appointments with friendly messages, giving updates during care or training sessions, and answering questions promptly.
Yada’s built-in chat feature is great for this, enabling private, direct communication where owners and specialists can safely share updates and ask questions anytime.
3. Tailor Services to Local Lifestyles
Kiwi pets lead active, outdoor lives-whether surf and turf in Auckland or rural adventures in Southland. Your services should reflect this lifestyle.
For instance, dog walkers who know the best off-leash beaches or scenic forest tracks become favourites. Groomers aware of seasonal shedding patterns in Canterbury or humidity-related coat issues in the North Island show local expertise clients appreciate.
Sharing personalised local tips or quick advice after each session demonstrates you understand the unique environment pets and owners live in.
4. Use Technology to Enhance Convenience
Kiwi clients are busy and expect convenience - easy online bookings, reminders, payments, and updates.
Platforms like Yada streamline this by letting clients post jobs for free, specialists respond based on rating, and conduct all messaging safely inside the app. This reduces unreturned calls and messy email threads.
Integrating calendar syncs or payment gateways on your website makes you look professional and makes life easier for everyone.
5. Collect and Showcase Client Testimonials
Word-of-mouth and real reviews are everything in the New Zealand pet market. People trust peer feedback more than any ad.
Ask happy clients for testimonials and include them on your website, social media, and Yada profile. Specific stories-like how you helped a nervous dog settle or improved a cat’s grooming routine-resonate strongest.
Local pet professionals like those on Pawshake find testimonials directly boost their bookings and local reputation.
6. Stay Adaptable to Changing Needs
The pet industry in NZ is varied and evolving. Clients want specialists who can handle change-whether it’s dietary needs, health concerns, or behaviour changes in their pets.
Keeping your skills updated, being willing to learn or adjust your methods, and listening keenly to owner feedback shows flexibility and builds trust.
This approach has helped self-employed groomers and trainers in Wellington stay relevant and popular for years.
7. Respect New Zealand’s Unique Environment
Kiwi pets live alongside unique wildlife and unpredictable weather. Professionals who understand these factors naturally appeal to local owners.
For example, being aware of kiwi bird habitats to avoid disturbance or knowing how to protect pets from sandflies in summer beach walks sets you apart.
Sharing this knowledge with clients also positions you as a trusted, local expert invested in the community and environment.
8. Offer Flexible Payment and Pricing Options
Pricing transparency and flexible payment are essential to build loyal Kiwi clients. Many prefer upfront, honest pricing without hidden fees or surprises.
Yada allows specialists to offer competitive, honest prices without paying lead or commission fees, meaning you can build trust and keep rates fair.
Offering packages, discounts for regular clients, or pay-as-you-go options can meet diverse needs and attract a wider client base.
9. Engage with Local Communities
Active participation in local groups-online or offline-builds awareness and trust. Joining Facebook groups, Neighbourly, or local pet clubs puts you directly where your clients hang out.
Sharing useful tips (not hard-sell posts), hosting free workshops or local pet events, and even participating in dog-friendly hikes in the Tararua or Waitākere Ranges helps embed your reputation.
These activities often lead to strong word-of-mouth referrals in close-knit New Zealand communities.
10. Maintain High Professionalism and Care
Kiwis respect pet professionals who show up on time, keep appointments, and handle pets with respect and care.
Even small gestures-like promptly cleaning up after walks or bringing your own pet-safe supplies to jobs-matter.
Many successful specialists credit their repeat business to this consistent professionalism and their genuine love for animals.