set up of dog walking/pet sitting businesses

[mandwhy]

I have been thinking about doing this for a long time as I am a student at the moment and really need to make some extra money to fund my horse etc. I like to organise my own time to some extent and feel I have worked enough rubbish part time jobs in my 26 years to go for it! Being at uni means I have plenty of time free in the daytime including lunchtimes which I think is the key time for full time workers with dogs.

So, with dog walking as the main focus I know there is some insurance you need - I have heard Cliverton from threads I searched for - does anyone know roughly how much this costs? I saw £30 a month on one thread which would be quite a lot if I didn't walk many dogs, but obviously reasonable if it was a proper business.

I know there is a license you need to do overnight pet boarding but I wouldn't really be able to do that in my current rented place so don't need to worry about that for now? Would be happy to visit pets in the home though.

Do I need a CRB check?

I could provide references from a couple of people whose dogs I look after when they go on holiday (I don't charge them but they sometimes give me something as they're saving on kennel fees!).

The most important thing is I would genuinely enjoy doing this and if it doesn't turn out to be a big earner, at least i'll get some exercise!

Was also thinking of offering some horse services like turnout/bring in etc, and house visits for other pets and making the house appear 'lived in'.

 

[Superhot]

Cliverton are definitely a good insurance company, give them a call and tell them you want to start off dog walking, and may offer equine services at a later date. They will then only charge you for the cover you actually need at the time. Certainly not as much as £30 a month... CRB check is a good idea, particularly when people are entrusting you with the keys to their home. You must also let HMRC know and sort out National Insurance payments. Ask potential clients to bring their dogs for a trial walk with you, so you can see for yourself if they walk well on a lead, have good recall and most importantly, are good with other dogs. If they want their dogs walked off lead, ask them to sign to that effect, just in case...
Car. You will need to advise your car insurers and breakdown recovery that you are transporting dogs. Make sure dogs are secured in your car (for safety).
If you need any further help/advice, please pm me

 

[CAYLA]

As above ^^^ (also my insurance is not that much a month and I day board/night board and walk (well OH) walks

People need to trust you and may want you to prove your capabilities, they may ask for trail periods and walks with you and you must be able to handle difficult dogs if need be (and strong ones) and brace yourself for ill mannered ones obs there are tolls to help you but when walking multiple dogs bear in mind its not as easy as you may think, esp when walking alone (ins covers you for 6 dogs) at a time.
CRB check indeed, not that any of our clients have even asked and only one asked to see insurance paper work
You will need a van with partitions/crates for safe travel, factor you diesel in and maybe think about adding a cat feeding service ( some people prefer their cats left at home) with someone popping in to feed them.

 

[ladyearl]

As above only to add I am a member of http://www.dogsit.com/ May seem expensive initially but year on year cheaper for the insurance and it includes all aspects of pet/house sitting including horses. There's also a company called Pet Business Insurance that I believe are quite competitive with rates.

Good luck - I think it's the best job in the world!

 

[foxy1]

I have insurance with Pet Business Insurance, costs £18 a month and I'm insured to walk/sit dogs, cats and horses. I've not had a CRB check done but all of my customers are from recommendation so I guess people feel I'm trustworthy!

 

[AANDP]

I`m with Cliverton and my insurance is £120 per year, I also have a CRB and licenced for home boarding by my local council.

I can stress enough the importance of having insurance, to cover you if anything happens.

Also a website is required as potential clients like to view them and they see you as professional.

Good walking shoes and wellies for bad weather as well as waterproof clothes.

I just love my job and have met some wonderful dogs and people.

 

[mandwhy]

Thanks everyone! Sorry lost my thread

I did an online quote with cliverton and it is based on income so would be about 110 a year which is good!

I don't know how I feel about walking

 

[mandwhy]

Doh sent too soon!

Meant to say I am not sure about walking multiple dogs at once unless they are owned by the same owner of course. I guess once I have walked some dogs individually I could see if they are sociable enough. Even walking two unruly dogs is a challenge sometimes I know!

I saw an add for a person who needs their dog walked every lunch time, I thought if I could have a few separate people like that, say at 7 pounds an hour (is that too low? I am thinking within 5 miles and increase if further) 5 days a week then that would be 35 a week and anything near 100 a week would make me significantly more comfortable...

Good point about the car thing. I am kind of hoping to have individual clients where I drive to them and walk the dog fairly locally but am obviously fine with driving them somewhere if needed/wanted. I only have a hatchback so not really ideal but I have been wanting to change my car for ages for a more 'utility' type thing like a smallish 4x4 for towing a trailer, would be an added incentive to do so.

Thanks for the tips I'm goinf to give it some thought and maybe tinker with a starter website to try and make it a reality!

 

[CAYLA]

The only problem with walking 1 dog at a time is is less cost effective and convenient from (making a living point of view) and you may have to walk a good distance to get to fields for the dogs to have some play or pass their motions (all takes time) and costs more in fuel. If you walked 4 dogs and travelled to 4 homes for 1 hour walks you may find some are getting walked to early and some to late.
However if not confident (then dont go there) as you may have to handle some strong dogs, unless you advertise for oldies and very obedient dogs (and generally they dont need extra exercise) ha ha.

 

[mandwhy]

Haha well I don't think I am going to be inundated to start with but you never know, do you charge the same amount for shared walks or individual? Kind of seems a bit unfair if I walked 5 dogs at one time for 7 pounds each, 35 pounds an hour! 5 lunchtimes a week... 175 pounds a week... *goes off to google luxury horse things*

 

[CAYLA]

We dont do (individual walks) can't see an instance where I/we would need to I will (intergrate any dog) so an unsociable or dog aggressive dogs (get group walked) as thats what we are comfortable with and it does them the world of good so we charge our normal fee (but if I ever did need to charge more) the only reason would maybe be (puppy) needing a shorter walk or a dog recovering from surgery (even then I would prob just do normal walk and keep them on lead) I say me (I join OH when I feel like it or he needs a hand as has so many) whilst all the rest are off and in these instances probably still charge the same, but I would up a charge for any instance I was requested by an owner to walk a dog alone (as its more of my time) not cost effective.

We do charge £1 less to collect the dogs on the door step and £1 more for the ones a little further out to help with diesel costs.

 

[CAYLA]

Haha well I don't think I am going to be inundated to start with but you never know, do you charge the same amount for shared walks or individual? Kind of seems a bit unfair if I walked 5 dogs at one time for 7 pounds each, 35 pounds an hour! 5 lunchtimes a week... 175 pounds a week... *goes off to google luxury horse things*

Ah but its not an hour by the time you collect the dogs and drop them home add an extra hour and your diesel costs and you NI contributions and tax