Member Case Study
Sophie's tells you how she left her full time job to start her own pet sitting and dog walking business.
More About us
NarpsUK is committed to promoting excellence and raising industry standards for pet sitters and dog walkers.
Pet Sitting Software
NarpsUK's members database makes the admin side of your business easier by allowing you to manage client details and client's pet's details
Pet sitters insurance
NarpsUK are proud to announce their affiliation with Pet Business Insurance - one of the leading providers of pet business insurance in the UK.
Would you like to start up Your Own Pet Sitting Business?
Are you worried that you have not thought of everything involved?
Here is our top advice for you to consider
Get some experience:
If you don't have any experience in walking dogs then tell your dog owning friends and family about your idea and ask if they would consider using your dog walking service for free so that you can get experience, or you could ask your local boarding kennels if they want any dog walking for free.
No pet owner will want their dog to be the first that you walk so once you start your business you can then genuinely and honestly tell dog owners that you do already walk dogs.
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Insurance:
If you run a pet sitting business insurance is a must, if a dog gets lost or is attacked by another dog the first thing the owner is going to be looking for is to claim against you.
NarpsUK offers its member's discounted insurance that covers all aspects of pet sitting, dog walking and house sitting.
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Business Skills:
Without some basic organisation skills and business skills your new pet sitting business cannot survive, you will need to consider a business name, a business bank account, a website, keeping financial records, the NarpsUK pet sitting business course covers this subject.
Organisations such as Business Gateway (in Scotland / Business Link in England) provide help & support with all these things for free, both online & via local seminars & workshops.
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Forms & Contracts:
A service contract is essential if you don't want to have to deal with stressful business problems in the future and there are many other forms that you will need to get filled in and signed by the client for example Veterinary Release Forms, Booking Form, Report Card, Key Release Form and many more - NarpsUK supplies all the forms and contracts you will need for your dog walker business and these have been drawn up by a contract solicitor.
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Criminal Record Check:
If you are holding your client's keys for dog walking, you will need to get a basic disclosure Criminal Record Check carried out, you can apply for this online yourself from Disclosures Scotland for ?25.00. Once you have this you can reassure your clients that you have no unspent criminal records against you.
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Pet Sitting Business Course:
There is a lot more to running your own pet sitting business than just putting a lead on and walking the dog so consider taking a Pet Sitting Business Course taking an accredited course and holding a certificate or qualification will not only inform you of everything you need to know about running your pet sitting business but also install confidence in your future clients.
In the meantime buy some books about dog walking to give yourself a good insight into what exactly is involved, you can buy used ones very cheaply on Amazon.
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Trustworthiness:
Dog owners are looking for someone they can trust when they seek out a dog walker; they want openness, transparency, reliability, and commitment. You will need fairly good communication skills because although you know that you have all of the skills & qualities required and have a great love of dogs, a new client will not know this and will be sceptical until you can put their minds at rest by showing them that you have a good reputation with great customer feedback.
A folder is a good idea that will contain your insurance certificate, your home boarding licence if you offer home boarding as a service, your criminal record check certificate, any training course certificates you hold, your membership certificate to a Trade Associaton - NarpsUK and of course some customer feedback as well as some photos of the dogs you have serviced.
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Join NarpsUK
Joining a National Association will bring credibility to your business and peace of mind to your clients. We offer an online Lantra Accredited Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Training Course that is discounted by £100. to our members, You will also receive all of your service contracts and forms along with cheap business insurance - Join Now
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Dog Legislation
You should be aware of the law & legislation and your responsibilities.
- The Dogs Act 1971
- The Control of Dogs Order 1992
- Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (section 3)
- Animals Act 1971
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953
- The Road Traffic Act 1988
- The Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010.
For a breakdown of the relevant sections in all these acts, and for more information visit the Kennel Club website.
You should also check with your local authority for any by-laws and dog-restricted areas local to you, some local authorities require dog walkers to be licenced.
There are many other things to consider before starting your business for example: prices, dog walking insurance, paperwork, pet sitting software, etc., NarpsUK can help you will all of these things and much more, we are here to help and support you while you start and grow your business.
There are many other things to consider before starting your business for example: prices, dog walking insurance, paperwork, pet sitting software, etc., NarpsUK can help you will all of these things and much more, we are here to help and support you while you start and grow your business.
NarpsUK also offers many other benefits to existing and new dog walking & pet sitting businesses.
Find out more about our other benefits by clicking the image above where you can download our e-brochure