Does anyone have or know of someone who has a dog walking/pet visiting/sitting buisness?

There is a distinct lack of dog walkers/pet sittters/visitors where I live and I am thinking of starting one up as it will also fit in with my college course.

Any info will be gratefully recieved. I have done google searches but wanted real life experiences too

Try on LL houndy, theres a couple on there who do it,
kelli and andrea.

i do,only small scale, been doing it for a few years,what do you want to no?
Rachel

Thanks - the main thing is how do I find out what the demand will be? How much to charge? How many dogs do you take out at any 1 time> Do you need local council permission?

hi as to demand iam not sure,i took a bit of a gamble and just jacked job in and went for it!!! around here(berks)walkers charge about £8-£12 usually for 50 min walk,as to how many thats up to you really, i would take no more than 4 but some round here have 6 or 8 !! i have never heard of anyone having to get council permission unless you are planning on doing home boarding then you do need permission but not just dog walking.

many thanks for that - you were brave to jack your job in and go for it.

please dont take my word as gospel!!! i could be doing it all wrong! lol !!

and as for brave?/!! did think it was more stupid to start with!! was hard for first few months but havent looked back since!! not sure i could work for anyone again though after being self employed!! anyway i think my boys are getting heated with each other, better go and do some dog whispering!!!

When I used to do it,I was a member of N.A.R.P.(national association for registered petsitters)It cost about £350 to join and I can't say it was worth it,but it put you on a register for people looking for a petsitter,and most importantly,gave you a million pounds worth of third party insurance cover,in case of a dog in your care causing an accident,or injuring itself etc. all things to consider.

yes forgot to mention that, i do have insurance for my business, all my advertising was cards in vets,pet shops etc and i have magnetic signs on my van which for me is the best, i have got alot of my business through it.

Petpals in my area are great... They are a franchise, so may be near you?

another national franchise option which I've used in the past is Barking Mad

www.barkingmad.uk.com/

This was handy when I'd recently moved and didn't know any local businesses.

All the best with the business. Elise