Is there a demand for dog walkers/House/Horse Sitters?

[3Beasties]

As title really.

Am thinking about starting up my own small business.

I would offer

Dog walking
House sitting - will look after all pets/horses/livestock
Trips to vets/groomers
Small animal boarding (at my house)
Would also offer to hold horse for Farrier/vets etc

It need to be fairly flexible as it will have to fit in around my other part time job.

I would keep it quite local to me to try and save on traveling time (to start with I thought within a 10 mile radius).

What do you think? A doable (sp) thing? Is there a demand for it? Any ideas/thoughts would be great! Or am I just barking to even consider it

 

[Happy Horse]

There is definitely demand for it (where we are in Sussex anyway). I would say that many people would want a regular visit for dog walking which may not work around your part time job.

 

[3Beasties]

I would have all morning and the early part of the afternoon free, sometimes I don't start work till 6 but most days I start at 4 so I do have a lot of free time during the day.

 

[BBH]

I think there would be a demand but it may not suit around your part time job hours. Also I would only set it up if you are in an affluent area as most people sort themselves out if services are too dear.

 

[wizzlewoo]

I have been looking for a dog walker for ages now in my area Burgess Hill, but can only find really really expensive ones.

 

[3Beasties]

What would you be happy to pay and what have you been quoted? How long would they walk the dog for?

I'm not in your area but would be interested to know

 

[Finlib]

I do dog walking dog home boarding and visits to cats and small animals
There is a demand for it but it is quite seasonal .
School holidays I am mega busy from mid July to end of september I was inundated .At present I have a lot of long weekends booked.
I am also busy Christmas Easter and Feb and Oct half terms
The problem can be travelling as then you do have to factor in diesel costs .You will also need to take out insurance this costs me around £90 per year.

 

[CAYLA]

I home board, and I am full all year round and I am fully booked for next year(what can I say im in demand)

and here is the best part, I have never advertised

My OH also has a dog walking business, these dogs where initially taken on the basis of training, the owners then asked if he could carry on training and walking

there is definately a business for boarding but as suggested the walking has to be affordable to people.

 

[haycroft]

i'l say yes def demand..im putting my two dogs into homeboarding (going into their homes) as im away very soon...yes you pay quite abit more but its more of a personal sevice which i wanted


not sure if it could work if you have a part time job aswell, maybe just the dog walking not the boarding if your not there