How can I start up a dog walking/ pet-sitting business?

Question

I've posted ads already, for walking dogs and pet/house sitting in my area.
How much should I charge for dog walking?
What about pet or house sitting while the owner is out of town?
What do I need to know if someone asks to board their pet at my place instead?
Would I need insurance? Are there any legal considerations?
Thanks :)

Answer 1

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* The Face in the Window: A Guide to Professional Dogwalking by Dianne Eibner
* Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Your Own Pet Sitting Business by Cheryl Kimball
* The Professional Pet Sitter: Your Guide to Starting and Operating a Successful Service Edition 2005 Newly-Revised Includes Business Forms by Lori Mangold

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

Entrepreneur Magazine has a series of educational guides on business start-ups, and they happen to have one that is tailor-fit to your self-employment goal. If you click on the link below, you will see that they seem to cover all the questions you have asked, and probably answer some you haven't even thought of yet.

I have studied one of their guides before, and haven't had to search the want ads or fill out an employment application since.

Best of luck and great success in your venture...

Answer 3

Make a catchy call to your business enterprise and get the right business enterprise licensing to commence a dogs strolling business enterprise. commonly business enterprise icons capture the attention greater commonly and in case you may, get the advert in coloration. placed flyers around city on community postboards the place people sell automobiles or record storage revenues. be certain you have touch counsel on your advert (duh :p) business enterprise icon could be a paw print with the call of your business enterprise integrated around it, a happy pup, or perchance even basically a accepted stick dogs with a leash (think of the lady sign and the guy sign for restrooms). i think of you will do stable. You seem to comprehend what you're doing.

Answer 4

Here are a couple of links that might prove useful : http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/pets/pages/bruce_parkin.shtml http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/3169/start_a_dog_walking_or_pet_sitting.html Search Google using: "start up a dog walking/ pet-sitting business" and you will find lots more info..

Answer 5

put up fliers with your phone number an buisness name on them an run a newspaper ad.good luck