Category: Pet Business

09:30:57 GMT • 14 January 2025

Employing Staff for Your Dog Walking Business

11 September 2018

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5 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

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The set-up of many professional dog walking businesses is fairly simple. The majority of operators will be working on a sole trader basis, delivering their walks, managing administration and financial matters on their own.

However, as a business grows so too does the need to employ staff. As a dog walker that could be because you have built up a large enough book of clients that in order to grow you need an extra pair of hands or two.

When pondering whether to employ a member of staff there are a number of things to consider.

Financial considerations

First and foremost, you will need to think whether a member of staff is financially sensible. Of course, more walkers in your business means the opportunity to walk more dogs. But it also means another person’s salary that will need to come our of your company’s finances.

Some businesses will opt to pay staff on a ‘per-walk’ basis, giving them a percentage of the money a client may pay for a walk. Other businesses will choose to work on a more traditional hourly wage or salary.

If the latter is your way of working consider this. If you charge a client £10 an hour to walk their dog and your staff member takes two dogs out at a time, that is £20 coming into the business. Based on paying your employee minimum wage (between £5.60 and £7.50 depending on age), that means you would be left with between £12.50 and £14.40 in the businesses bank account before any tax was paid.

Of course, that is an extra amount of money than would have been there if you didn’t have the staff member to call on, but it is not as simple as that.

You will need to consider whether you will be paying your employee petrol costs to get to and from the client’s house, whether you will guarantee them a set number of hours a week as well as any other bonuses.

Taxes and pensions

It’s not only the direct financial implications that having staff will have on your business. There’s plenty of extra administration-based tasks you will need to fulfil.

First of all you will need to ensure that any potential staff members are fully DBS checked, which will confirm whether they have any criminal convictions that you should be aware of. This will cost you £25 per employee to carry out. You will also need to check they have the legal right to work in the UK. This can be done by taking their National Insurance number when you provide them with their contract.

You will also need to inform HMRC that you are taking on staff and register as an employer. By doing this you will receive your PAYE Employer Number, which will allow you to pay tax and National Insurance when you pay the staff member.

Furthermore, if you are likely to be paying your new dog walker over £10,000 a year and they are over 22-years-old, you may need to automatically enroll them on a workplace pension scheme.

Finally you will need to take out Employers’ Liability. This is a legal responsibility when you take on a member of staff. This will cover you for claims against the business should you and your business activities be blamed for an injury suffered by that staff member. Many insurance providers, including Protectivity, will allow you to add Employers’ Liability to an existing Dog Walking Insurance policy for a small fee.

Business operations

With all of legal factors taken care of you need to remember that by having members of staff, you may have to change the fundamental way in which you operate your dog walking business.

Think about things such as:

– Will your new walker have ‘their own’ clients? Or will you share them between you?

– How much training will you provide your new staff member?

– Will you ask them to help with other aspects of your business such as marketing and administration?

One thing that may affect some dog walkers decision to expand is the extra paperwork and administrative duties that having staff entails. By taking on employees you may find yourself having less time to do the thing that made you start the business in the first place, the enjoyment of walking dogs. This diversion away from the act of dog walking may be a reason not to hire a member of staff and keep your clients, their dogs and your business to yourself.

All dog walking businesses and the people that run them will be different. Some will appreciate that in order to grow they need more dog walkers on their books, whilst others will be happy with maintaining a healthy number of clients and dogs without the need for expansion.

If you do opt for the hiring approach, just remember to consider all the added responsibilities that come with it.

About Us

We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet businesses, and we offer a variety of tailored products such as Dog Walking insurance, Pet Sitting Insurance and Dog Grooming Insurance policies.

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09:28:35 GMT • 14 January 2025

Your Guide To Dog Boarding Licences

18 April 2018

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5 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

As a pet business insurance provider, Protectivity receive a large number of queries about the rules surrounding the need for a dog boarding licence.

The rules about what licence you require and how you operate can vary slightly between different local authorities. However, the overriding statements regarding licensing of this type of business are covered in the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 and Animal Activity Licensing Regulations 2018.

Who needs a dog boarding licence?

According to the act, anyone running “an establishment, whether a private dwelling or not, where a business is conducted for the provision of accommodation for other people’s cats and dogs” needs a licence.

Therefore, anyone running a commercial enterprise whereby they are looking after a third-party’s animal needs to closely pay attention to the licensing regulations.

How do you apply for a licence?

Licenses are handled by local councils, as opposed to being managed by centralised government. Depending on your location, it may be possible to apply online, while other councils will require you to post your application form.

Another varying aspect of the process is the cost. The price of an application is set by the authority and can start from as little as £70 a year for a dog only licence, to over £300 for a joint cat and dog licence with some councils.

The whole application process, on average, takes three to four weeks to complete before you will receive your licence. Some authorities apply ‘tacit consent’ to applications. This means that if you haven’t had your application explicitly rejected within a set time-frame of applying, you are able to start boarding. This is something to check with your local authority when applying for your licence.

What will you need to prove?

The requirements that councils will have before approving a licence are fairly self explanatory.

You will likely be subject to an inspection of your premises by a council official. During this visit your suitability to accommodate animals, through your provisions to provide clean and safe boarding, your skills and knowledge of what is required of boarders.

The health of the animals that you will be looking after is likely to be seen as paramount. Therefore, it will be a requirement under your licence that you keep a record of every animal that you take in, as well as any specific needs or health issues that they may have. You may need to provide a copy of this documentation if a council official or vet were to visit your premises while you are in operation.

Another prerequisite of obtaining a licence is insurance. Local councils will request that they see a copy of an insurance certificate that covers you for Public Liability (as a minimum) before granting you a licence. Having this cover in place gives you protection against legal costs that might ensue if a dog in your care was to injure a third-party or cause damage to their property.

Things to remember if home-boarding

As well as speaking to your local council, reading the full the specific section of the Animal Welfare England Regulations 2018 on home boarding will give you an in-depth understanding of animal boarding licences.

Much in the act may not be relevant to you, but here are five other key things you need to remember when running a boarding business from your own home:

If you have your own dog, or will be boarding dogs from multiple households, written consent must be gained from your clients stating they agree to their dog being kept on the same premises
Dogs must be accommodated within the home and have direct access to a private, non-communal, secure and hazard-free external area
Each dog must have it’s own safe, clean and warm designated room where it can be kept separate from other dogs if necessary
No dog registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 can be accepted
Puppies that have not completed their inoculations must not be boarded

If you are operating without a licence, the punishments are clearly set out. You can be prosecuted and sentenced to up to three months in prison and fined up to £500.

For anyone already operating, that does not hold a licence, it is advised that you contact your local authority immediately. Doing so doesn’t instantly mean you will be prosecuted. It is possible that the council will require you to stop boarding animals while they process any application from you for a licence. However frustrating it may be to curtail income from boarding clients may be, it is important to ensure you are fully licensed to avoid further punishment.

About Us

We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet businesses, and we offer a variety of tailored products such as Dog Walking, Pet Sitting business insurance and Dog Grooming Insurance policies.

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09:25:18 GMT • 14 January 2025

Revealed: The Best Towns To Become A Dog Walker

20 September 2017

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4 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

Becoming a professional dog walker has been lauded as one of the UK’s fastest growing careers. A study in 2015 suggesting that walkers could earn up to £64,000 a year certainly provides enough temptation to take up the profession.

Of Protectivity’s customers, two-thirds said they became a commercial dog walker due to their love of canines or had previously worked with dogs. Another 25% were attracted to the prospect of a more flexible lifestyle the job afforded.

And if you’re thinking of taking up the profession there’s still room for manoeuvre, despite growing market competition.

According to Google there are 14,800 searches a month for “dog walker” in the UK, while the phrase “local dog walker” attracted 590 hits a month.

But where is there most demand for dog walkers in the UK?

How many people are looking for dog walkers?

Nearly 2,500 of searches came from the Greater London region – more than treble of Greater Manchester in second place.

However, with a population of over 8.5 million, seeing the capital on top-spot is hardly surprising. When taking the size of population into account it is actually the county of Hampshire that tops the pile.

Google suggests that there are around 550 searches for “dog walker” from Hampshire a month and with a relatively small population (comparatively) of 1.64 million, there’s plenty of room for more walkers.

Where are the most common searches?

Breaking it down even more we are able to reveal the UK’s top five towns and cities looking for a dog walker.

With a high search volume persisting, starting a dog walking business in the UK still has it’s merits. But should you reside in Harrogate, Peterborough or another location in our top 10, there’s even more of an incentive.

We’ve also taken a look at the potential competition. Using Yell listings we’ve given each town a ‘competitiveness rating’ out of 5, based on the number of other walkers in the area – five being the most competitive.

Here’s where there is the most demand for people to walk the dog…

The research found that one of the best places for would-be dog walkers was Stroud in Gloucestershire. Despite a relatively small population of 13,000, the townspeople perform 90 Google searches for dog walkers a month. That translates as a higher percentage-per-person than any other town in the UK.*

Where is the toughest competition?

Walkers will have competition for those canine clients though, with a relatively high number of fellow dog lovers already enjoying the profession according to Yell listings.

Conversely, those in Peterborough and Folkestone both have a large search volume per person, with very little competition. According to Yell.com there are just 15 dog walking businesses within 10 miles of Folkestone, while Peterborough – a town of 78,000 people – can boast just 23.

Other high scorers in our search research were the towns of Harrogate in North Yorkshire and Falkirk in Scotland. The former was only beaten by Stroud when it came to searches-per-person with 320 queries from those looking for walkers each month.

If you do take the plunge and become a full-time dog walker, remember to ensure you are fully covered. Our dog walking insurance protects you and the dogs you walk. Get a quote today to take advantage of our instant cover!

*Ranking based on Google’s estimated search volume for “dog walkers [town]” in relation to the population of that town. Only towns with 50 or more average monthly searches were included.

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09:23:38 GMT • 14 January 2025

The Professional Dog Walker’s Guide to Facebook Advertising

1 August 2017

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5 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

Starting a business as a professional dog walker is becoming more and more popular.

But with all the growth of the industry comes competition. In a business scene where every dog counts, ensuring you attract enough clients to pay the bills is becoming tougher.

Facebook has become the go-to place for dog walkers and owners alike to congregate and tout for business. There’s a good reason for this too. With the personable approach, the ability to focus on your location and the community spirit provide a fantastic arena to finding a professional walker to take care of your dog.

Three-quarters of the dog walkers asked in a recent Protectivity survey said they used the social networking site to promote their business. However, only six percent said they had turned to paid-for advertising to provide that added reach.

It could be that many walkers are missing a trick here. With even the smallest advertising budget you can really hone in on the people you really want to target.

Here are the three big reasons you should be using Facebook Advertising

Targeting the right people is easy

As a professional walker there are two things any prospective clients must be 1) dog owners and 2) reasonably local. With Facebook advertising, you can filter just those people. Want to show yourself off to as many dog owners in your community? Easy, just select the ‘Reach’ Objective when setting up your advertising campaign before you go and you’re on your way.

From there you can expertly target your desired audience. Select your location, plus the radius you are looking to cover to ensure you’re only going to pay for your advert to appear in front of your local residents.

Then, scroll down to the ‘Detailed targeting’ area to filter out those dog walkers you want to advertise to. By inputting the phrase ‘Pet Owners’ in the box you can find those that Facebook believes has a pet of their own due to their online activities. Filter that down further by clicking the ‘Narrow Further’ button and inputting the word ‘Dogs’. This will highlight those people who like pages that relate to dogs as well as being pet owners.

So, with a targeted campaign hitting pet (probably dog) owners in your local area you don’t need to waste money approaching people who will not be your customers

It can be extremely cheap

A career as a dog walker is unlikely to bring in mega bucks. Therefore, many dog walkers will be wary of spending unnecessary cash on advertising. However, showcasing your business with paid adverts doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

In fact, for as little as £1 a day you could reach many hundreds of potential customers.

Using the criteria highlighted above, using High Wycombe (and the surrounding 10 miles) as our location, we were able to create an audience of just over 8,000 people. With a daily budget of £1, Facebook suggests we would be able to get our advert in front of between 710 and 1,500 of those people each day.

With a one-hour walk costing dog owners anything between £7 and £11 approximately, pull in just one new client a week and you can recoup the costs of your advertising spend. Deliver a good enough service to that new client and with their repeat business soon adding up, the initial outlay pales into insignificance.

It looks much more professional

While touting for business within dog walking discussion groups is all well and good, putting out a well-made advert looks far more professional.

Pick out a nice image, be creative with your copy and deliver a bespoke campaign right to the heart of your potential clients’ newsfeed, rather than a plain, forgettable post in the local dog walking group.

If you haven’t already, think about some branding for your business. Maybe create a logo, nail down some company colours or maybe use a regular canine subject for your ads. Build that familiarity that will mean dog owners think of you when they are considering a walker and you will already be one step ahead of the competition.

Facebook advertising isn’t a substitute for the more stripped-back community group based approach. But by adopting some basic methods, the difference made for your dog walking services could be plain to see.

If you are operating without a licence, the punishments are clearly set out. You can be prosecuted and sentenced to up to three months in prison and fined up to £500.

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09:23:22 GMT • 14 January 2025

Protecting Yourself and Your Expensive Dog

30 November 2016

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3 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

In 2011 a Red Tibetan Mastiff sold for a monumental 10 million Chinese Yuan (nearly £1 million) to become the world’s most expensive dog.

While the vast majority of people don’t have that kind of money to hand, let alone spend it on a dog, the cost of purchasing a pooch can often reach lofty heights.

What are the most expensive dog breeds?

The aforementioned Tibetan Mastiff, given the which translates from Chinese to ‘Big Splash’ is a rarity but Tibetan Mastiffs often fetch prices of £2,000.

More common dogs, such as the King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and English Bulldog can often be sold for four-figure fees themselves.

What if something happens to these dogs?

Professional dog walkers regularly take responsibility for these animals, who are not only loved by their owners, but can also cost a lot of money.

And although the vast majority of dog walkers provide a service that goes without a hitch, problems do occur.

Dogs can injure themselves (or worse), while out on a walk with their professional carer while the inquisitive nature of some dogs can lead to them going missing.

For example in July 2016 four dogs went missing when their walker’s van was stolen by thieves in south London.

Just one month later and again in the capital, criminals snatched six dogs from another van, including two pugs and a Chihuahua, dogs often seen as ‘designer breeds’.

Should any of these things happen whilst walking a client’s dog, they could be held responsible for any financial implications that ensue.

Insurance offers some protection

Protecting a business from such claims is possible through something called Care, Custody and Control cover.

This means that should a dog get injured, go missing, or even die while in the care of a dog walker, that professional would be covered if claims were brought against them.

Protectivity’s Pet Business Insurance policy includes £25,000 of Care Custody and Control cover as standard, providing peace of mind to anyone walking dogs professionally.

Policies start at around £65 a year, and with that coming in at 30 times less than the cost of a French Bulldog, for example, taking the risk really isn’t worth it.

While ‘Big Splash’ may be valued at a tad more than most dogs, ensuring you have Care, Custody and Control cover with your insurance could protect you from a monumental financial hit should the worst happen.

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09:20:04 GMT • 14 January 2025

Explained: Dog Walking Qualifications and Licensing

5 January 2016

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4 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

Dog walking can make for a more than viable business – provided you have the time, inclination, and love of dogs, of course.

If you’re thinking about starting a dog walking business you might already have wondered about the need for any kind of certification, qualification, or licensing – none of which is strictly necessary, but all likely to prove more than useful, depending on your location and clients.

About Us

We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet businesses – including dog walking insurance and its related services. So, if you are walking dogs, pet sitting, grooming, boarding, or taxiing pets, rest confident in the reliable cover we provide against your public liabilities, care, custody and control safeguards, and protection of the equipment used in your pet-based business.

Your dog walking business – principles

You’ll soon discover that many owners think of their pets practically as their children. So, they’ll want to know that the person they are leaving them with is responsible and trustworthy. Having a relevant qualification of one kind or another might help to reassure those anxious owners that you know exactly what you’re doing.

If you’re looking for the most appropriate way of documenting that qualification, you’ll find that there’s a wide range from which to choose – from academic degree courses to certificates in animal care or even pet psychology. Any of these might bolster your standing and status as someone who knows – and cares – about pets.

Your dog walking business – certification

One of the most popular and widely used certificates for would-be dog walkers is issued by Think Dog! The course focuses on dog behaviour and training.

An alternative provider of courses suitable for anyone looking to set up a dog walking business is Compass. The organisation runs the College of Canine Studies and offers an especially wide range of courses on animal behaviour, welfare, care, and husbandry.

Your dog walking business – licensing

Before embarking on any course of instruction, it is worth checking whether the certificate or qualification issued upon its completion is recognised by the qualifications regulator Ofqual and meets the Animal Activity Licensing Regulations administered by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Clearly, it will be critical that your business complies with these and any other local licensing regulations. Keeping abreast of regulatory changes will be important whether you are new to the business or have been a dog walker for a long time.

Your dog walking business – insurance

Licensing requirements may also have a bearing on your need for the type of dog walking insurance in which we specialise here at Protectivity. Regulations enforced by the Royal Parks, for example, stipulate that the grounds may be used only by licensed professional dog walkers. This is part of the Parks’ efforts to ensure that all users and visitors maintain a high standard and have the correct insurance cover for themselves, the dogs, and the public.

But it is not only for access to the Royal Parks. For your own peace of mind, the protection of your business, and to bolster your standing as a professional pet business owner maintaining the appropriate level of insurance is critical.

Summary

Certification, qualification, licensing, and insurance – none of these may be absolutely essential if you are looking to start a dog walking business. But without them, you may be struggling to run your pet business safely, efficiently, and successfully.

So that you keep up to date with developments likely to impact your business, you might want to keep in touch with some of the associations that bring together people offering dog walking services.

Organisations such as these help to ensure that the standards of dog walking are kept high and professional. Joining an association such as the Association of Professional Dog Walkers (APDW) helps to establish you as a professional in your field and reassure your customers that you take responsibility in your role.

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09:16:15 GMT • 14 January 2025

Best Dog Walking Routes in UK City Parks

9 December 2015

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5 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

You might be forgiven for thinking that if you live in a city you need to drive miles to have an enjoyable, scenic walk with a dog. But, there are some hidden gems even in the most urban areas. So, if you run a dog walking business then here is a guide to finding the best walking routes in our cities, some might be closer than you think!

London – Epping Forest

As London’s largest open space this is a must visit location and dog walking is one of the most popular activities. The Forest covers around 2,400 hectares – that’s over 3,300 football pitches – and stretches from Manor Park to just north of Epping. With four visitor centres, there is plenty to see and do if you want more than just a stroll in the forest.

Other London Boroughs have similar other spaces: Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Newham, all of which are worth a visit.

Note that each of these has a maximum number of dogs that you can walk at any one time (from 4 to 6) and most ask that dogs are kept on a lead so always worth checking this before you plan a walk.

Manchester

Manchester City Council has dedicated dog walking areas within some of the city parks, so you can walk with the dogs in confidence. Bellott Street has specific dog walking but requests dogs are kept on a lead. Platt Fields Park has extra facilities with dogs not being allowed in areas such as the sports pitches and children’s play area. See the Manchester council for more information about each dog walking site.

Visit Manchester also have some great dog walking routes n their website, keen to show that there is another side to Manchester waiting to be discovered. Check out their website for a range of trails that you can download.

Each covers varying distances and includes information about landmarks to be seen along the way.

Walkiees features a selection of dog walks within the greater Manchester area including landmarks such as the iconic canals and Saddleworth so you really don’t need to venture far for great views!

Leeds

Named as one of the region’s leading green spaces in the Good Parks Guide, Roundhay Park is a great asset for Leeds and any dog walker! Explore trails, open spaces and gardens. There are off lead areas too making it a great location to stretch those legs!

But, if you do want to venture a short distance then Nostell Priory and Parkland near Wakefield is another great location. With rolling countryside woods and tracks, the parkland offers a great location for dog walkers just half an hour from Leeds.

Dogs on leads are welcome anywhere in the park and there is also a specific dog walking area near the car park, complete with water bowls! Visit the National Trust website for more information.

Liverpool

Right in the heart of Liverpool, Sefton Park is a popular space for dog walkers, runners and families alike. A magnificent 2235-acre park is a Grade I listed historic park, its features include a boating lake, aviary and even a Peter Pan statue!

With children’s play areas, fishing and a large population of swans it is wise to keep dogs on a lead in most areas of the park although there are some open spaces in which they can be let off to explore.

The Mersey Forest Project is a growing network of woodland and green spaces throughout Merseyside and Cheshire. Even in an urban area, woodland can thrive and be enjoyed. There are several sites, all of which allow dogs but each has different restrictions for dog walkers – visit their website to find out about each one.

Birmingham

Just 6 miles north of Birmingham City Centre, Woodgate Valley Country Park is a fantastic location for dog walking, with a huge range of facilities and great open spaces.

Visit Birmingham have details on a number of parks to visit, all really easy to reach. The most popular with for dog walkers due to their open space is Lickey National park and Woodgate Valley Country Park.

Waseley Hills Country Park is a great location linking the Clint and Lickey hills and is a great long walk. A National Trust property, this has clearly signposted areas where dogs can be off the lead and when you can let them run free.

Remember that when enjoying any of these walks to keep other walkers and dog owners in mind. Read the notices and signs displayed for people walking with dogs and comply with them. It’s often worth checking the website first as these all include helpful advice regarding parking charges, facilities and any restrictions for dog walkers.

Some locations will request that dogs are kept on a lead or under effective control and that you keep to marked paths. Often it will be stated that dogs cannot enter any children’s play areas.

Be aware of any livestock that might be grazing in the area as well as horses and their riders. The other important request is that you, of course, clear up after your dog. If we make sure that these guidelines are all complied with then these locations will remain available for everyone to enjoy!

It’s also important to make sure that you have the right dog walking insurance to protect you, the dogs and their owners when you are out walking.

So, next time you are looking for a suitable walk for you and a canine friend, don’t automatically think that you must drive miles, the perfect location might be closer than you think!

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09:15:44 GMT • 14 January 2025

Starting A Pet Sitting Business

13 November 2015

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6 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

Have you ever thought about starting a pet sitting business? With the number of pet owners on the rise and people treating their furry friends as part of the family, the demand for reliable pet sitters is growing faster than ever.

For customers – the benefit of using a pet sitter instead of a friend or neighbour is that a pet sitter is a contract service providing care at agreed times. This makes it not only more reliable but also gives a pet owner peace of mind that their pet is being cared for in the best possible way.

If you love animals and dream of being your own boss, this could be the perfect opportunity. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to launch your own pet sitting business, from establishing credentials to pet sitting insurance, and turn your passion into a profitable venture.

Understanding the pet sitting industry

Before diving in, it’s good to understand the industry you’re entering. Did you know that nearly 60% of households in the UK own a pet? Dogs and cats lead the pack, but small animals, birds, and even reptiles are becoming more common. With busy schedules, holidays, and work commitments, pet owners often need someone trustworthy to care for their beloved animals. That’s where you come in.

Pet sitting can involve more than just popping in to feed a cat or walk a dog. You might offer overnight stays, medication administration, or even grooming services. While this business can be rewarding, it’s important to know that it comes with challenges like managing tricky pets or dealing with last-minute cancellations.

Experience – Building skills and credentials

While you might already be an animal lover, having some professional skills and credentials can give you an edge. Consider taking courses in animal behaviour or pet first aid. These not only boost your knowledge but also show clients that you’re serious about your business.

Volunteering at a local shelter or shadowing an experienced pet sitter can also be a great way to gain hands-on experience. Don’t forget to collect testimonials—positive reviews from happy clients can do wonders for your reputation.

Advertising

To attract clients, you’ll need to get the word out. Here are some tips to market your business effectively:

Build an Online Presence

Create a simple website showcasing your services, prices, and contact details. Share photos of happy pets you’ve cared for (with the owner’s permission, of course!) and include testimonials if you have them. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also brilliant for connecting with pet owners.

Local Marketing

Don’t underestimate the power of offline marketing. Print some flyers and business cards to leave at vet clinics, pet shops, and community boards. Attend local events and meetups where pet owners gather.

Encourage Word of Mouth

Word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to build trust. Encourage your satisfied clients to spread the word and leave positive reviews online. You could even offer discounts for referrals to sweeten the deal.

Tools and resources for running your pet business

There are plenty of tools out there to help you manage your business efficiently. Consider using apps like TimeToPet or Rover for scheduling, invoicing, and client communication. Platforms like PayPal or Stripe make handling payments simple, and accounting software can keep your finances in check. Organisation is key when you’re juggling multiple clients!

Common challenges and how to overcome them

No business is without its hurdles. Here are a few common challenges you might face and tips for handling them:

Last-minute cancellations: Have a clear cancellation policy in place to protect your time and income.
Difficult pets or owners: Stay professional and communicate calmly. Know your limits and don’t be afraid to decline jobs that aren’t a good fit.
Time management: Use scheduling tools to organise your workload and avoid overcommitting.

Starting a pet sitting business can be an incredibly rewarding journey, both personally and financially. By following the steps in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful business that allows you to do what you love every day.

So, what are you waiting for? Take the leap and start planning your pet sitting business today. Who knows? This could be the start of your dream career!

Essential steps to start your pet sitting business

Ready to get started? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your business for success.

Conduct Market Research

Before you do anything else, spend some time understanding the market in your area. Are there many pet owners nearby? What kinds of services are they looking for? And who’s your competition? A little research will help you figure out how to stand out.

Develop a Business Plan

This doesn’t need to be overly complicated, but having a solid plan will give you a clear direction. Decide what services you’ll offer (e.g., dog walking, overnight care, puppy training) and how much you’ll charge. Think about your goals and map out your start-up costs.

Get Insured

Pet sitting involves a lot of trust, so having proper insurance is non-negotiable. Public liability insurance will protect you if something goes wrong, like a pet causing damage or an accident happening on your watch. Pet sitting insurance is essential to protect you, the owner, the pet and anyone else that your pet might come into contact with. For more information about Pet business insurance and exactly what is covered on our Pet Sitting Insurance page.

Set Your Pricing

Pricing can be tricky, especially when you’re just starting out. Research what other pet sitters in your area charge and consider your own experience and the services you offer. Be competitive but don’t undersell yourself—your time and effort are valuable.

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We’re one of the leading providers of insurance for pet businesses, and we offer a variety of tailored products such as insurance for dog walkers, insurance for a pet sitting business and Dog Grooming Insurance policies.

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10:09:34 GMT • 21 January 2025

Explained – The Changes to the Law in Microchipping

27 October 2015

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4 mins read

Contributors

Steffi joined the business in July 2017 as Business Support Executive. Steffi completed her degree in Sports and ...

The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 is a draft bill set to come into action by the 6th April 2016 making it a legal requirement for all dogs in England to be microchipped by 8 weeks old. This means all dogs and owner’s details will be held on databases such as PetLog (managed by The Kennel Club) to ease reuniting lost pets with owners.

The main aim of this legislation is to reduce the number of abandoned animals, with animal rescue centres becoming more and more crowded compulsory microchipping will ensure owners cannot avoid responsibility for their pets.

What is microchipping?

A microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is implanted just under a pet’s skin, usually on their back. This microchip contains a unique code which when scanned contains information about the pet and their owners.

This information is stored on databases and is accessible by veterinary centres, the dog warden service and other animal organisations and can be used whenever a pet is lost to trace their registered owners. It is important for owners to keep this information correct and up to date as owners are required by law to inform their microchip database within 21 days of any changes. If owners fail to microchip their dogs or keep these details up to date they may be liable to a fine of £500.

How do I become a microchipper?

Contrary to popular belief microchipping does not need to be done by a vet but can also be done by a qualified implanter who has undertaken adequate training.

On the 24th February 2015, changes in legislation meant that all training must be carried out by an approved supplier such as PeddyMark or Tracer.

When looking at different training programmes and deciding where to qualify to make sure they have an approved status certificate which should be displayed on their website or you can ask to see this.

Becoming an implanter is easier than you think, it simply takes four hours of one to one training with a qualified instructor. With PeddyMark, trainers travel to you at a time you have specified to ensure the process is entirely at your convenience. Allowing one to one training also means any questions you have will be answered and you will come away a more confident qualified implanter.

What will I need to become a microchipper?

To set up your own pet microchipping business you will need to have space, the correct qualification, equipment, a customer base and most importantly insurance. Within your training, you will cover what health and safety regulations you will need to comply with in regards to your work area and equipment. There may be an initial investment needed to ensure these are all up to standard. Once you have qualified the next step is to find clients, it is worth networking with local breeders, vets, animal shelters, pet training classes and pet businesses to advertise your services.

It is worth getting the word out about your business early as more and more pet owners will be needing a microchipped.

When you are dealing with other people’s pets it is important to have adequate insurance so that if you are found to be negligent and cause an injury to an animal then you will be covered for any legal costs. Visit our pet microchipping page to get a quote.

If you are looking to start your own pet business, microchipping could be a great way to start with only a small amount of training and investment needed.

However, with changes in this area of law, it is important to keep up to date and ensure your training is adequate to ensure your pet microchipping business complies with government standards.

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