WITH the dog days of summer well underway, one woman has turned her love for pets into a side hustle raking in thousands of dollars every month.
Elizabeth Morosani has turned three of her properties in and around Asheville, North Carolina into a haven for dogs and their owners to play or train in private.
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The private dog parks are rented out through Sniffspot, an Airbnb-like platform that allows dog owners to rent spaces and pieces of land without any distraction from other furry friends.
Morosani, 50, recently told CNBC that out of the 108-acres in her name, she has transformed 11 acres into areas where dogs and their owners can roam free.
The North Carolina resident has an innate love for animals, as her main job revolves around boarding horses on her property.
She also has four dogs of her own.
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Morosani told the outlet that she started the side hustle in November 2020 to connect with other nearby pet owners.
Four years later, Morosani is raking in thousands of dollars every month – something she never expected.
“I didn’t think it’d be this popular, this successful,” she said.
“It’s allowed me to bank some money, [and to] be more aggressive with helping my local humane societies.”
In May, Morosani saw $8,400 in revenue from the park rentals.
For the first half of this year, her monthly average has totaled to around $7,100 in revenue.
Morosani explained she takes home approximately half of the earnings, as Sniffspot receives a quarter of the profits for commission and fees.
Any remaining profit is used for park maintenance.
While the park rentals earn so much, they don’t appear to require much work.
Morosani revealed she only spends around six to eight hours each week working on the side hustle.
She has been able to hire an assistant, purchase a $6,500 lawn mower, and purchase supplies for other dogs she also fosters on the side.
What is Sniffspot?
Sniffspot is an Airbnb-style company that rents out plots of land in and around major cities for pet owners to let their furry friend roam stress and distraction free.
Pet owners are able to rent the private parks for training, private play dates, and more.
The rentals are typically priced at an hourly rate and feature fenced in backyards, forested land, hiking trails, water parks, fields, and more.
Out of her three properties, Morosani’s most successful rental is a plot of land in Fletcher – a little over 20 minutes south of Asheville.
The location was an old airstrip that was leased to Morosani by her father in 2022.
It features four-acres of grass and a small creek and is located near a highway, making it a popular location for out of town visitors.
She is planning on leasing more land in the region to open up a fourth space for local pet owners.
While the new park rental will cost around $18,000 and take three months to get ready, Morosani said it’s worth it to help the pets and their owners.
Do I need to pay tax on my side hustle income?
MANY people feeling strapped for cash are boosting their bank balance with a side hustle.
The good news is, there are plenty of simple ways to earn some additional income – but you need to know the rules.
When you're employed the company you work for takes the tax from your earnings and pays HMRC so you don't have to.
But anyone earning extra cash, for example from selling things online or dog walking, may have to do it themselves.
Stephen Moor, head of employment at law firm Ashfords, said: “Caution should be taken if you're earning an additional income, as this is likely to be taxable.
“The side hustle could be treated as taxable trading income, which can include providing services or selling products.”
You can make a gross income of up to £1,000 a year tax-free via the trading allowance, but over this and you’ll usually need to pay tax.
Stephen added: “You need to register for a self-assessment at HMRC to ensure you are paying the correct amount of tax.
“The applicable tax bands and the amount of tax you need to pay will depend on your income.”
If you fail to file a tax return you could end up with a surprise bill from HMRC later on asking you to pay the tax you owe – plus extra fees on top.
“When I read [positive] reviews, I almost cry,” Morosani told CNBC.
“Not long ago, someone told me that [their visit would be on] their dog’s last day on Earth. [Owners] have held birthday parties and invited all their friends.
“Things like that just make you go, ‘Oh my god, I’m helping. I’m doing it.’”
For those curious on launching a similar side hustle, Morosani has two pieces of advice to ensure the best experience for dogs and their owners:
- Don’t waste money on expensive toys or amenities
- Don’t greet the guests to alleviate any pressure on the pets
She said anyone with extra land and the ability to set up a private park, should absolutely consider pursuing it.
“If you have space and the ability to give a private experience to individual dog owners, there’s definitely room for everyone to do this,” Morosani said.
