Meet the solicitor whose makes €4k a year on the side - working as a pet sitter.<br /><br />Emma O’Hara, 28, started looking after strangers pets during her vocational training.<br /><br />She found herself with free time and was looking for a way to make some more cash.<br /><br />Animal lover Emma wondered if she could get paid to pet sit - and found out she could after Googling and finding an app.<br /><br />Now she spends her spare time looking after cats and dogs for locals in Dublin and makes €400 to 500 a month.<br /><br />Emma, originally from Belfast, Ireland, said: “I love animals.<br /><br />“I had free time so I thought I may as well get a side hustle.<br /><br />“I googled and found an app. People come to you. You can be your own boss.<br /><br />“It like a dating but for pet sitters.<br /><br />“It’s been a lifesaver.”<br /><br />Emma found the app in September 2022 and created a profile for herself for pet owners to pick her to look after their animals.<br /><br />If they select her the owners set up a meet and greet before agreeing to let Emma pet sit their animals.<br /><br />She charges €18 an hour to feed, water and walk cats and dogs.<br /><br />Emma said: “I do about three to four jobs a week. But it ebbs and flows.<br /><br />“I got and feed and water the cats and if they are friendly I can play with them.<br /><br />“Others are a bit older and are happy for a bit of company.<br /><br />“I take the dogs out for a walk. It’s the best.”<br /><br />Emma, who has her own feline, Zoom, would recommend the side hustle to others.<br /><br />She said: “You build up relationships with people.<br /><br />“They’re all animal people.<br /><br />“It’s been such a lovely, hugely positive experience. <br /><br />“All the animals are so different. The dogs recognize me – it’s so lovely.<br /><br />“A Mexican rescue dog I look after - the owner wanted someone on board to get her used to more strangers.<br /><br />“At first the owners came with me on the walk. Now she comes bounding towards me.<br /><br />“That’s really rewarding.”
