The UK Pet Care Market in 2026
The UK has approximately 13 million dogs and 12 million cats, and pet ownership surged during the pandemic. The pet care services market (walking, sitting, boarding, grooming) is estimated at over £2 billion and growing. More pet owners work from offices again (at least part-time), creating demand for daytime dog walking, lunchtime visits, and holiday sitting.
Pet care is also increasingly seen as a professional industry rather than a casual favour. Owners want qualified, insured, licensed professionals who treat their animals with the same care they would. This shift benefits serious operators who invest in proper licences, insurance, and professional processes.
The fundamentals are strong: pets need walking every day (recurring demand), owners go on holiday multiple times a year (sitting demand), and the UK pet population remains near record highs with no sign of declining.
Monthly subscriptions turn casual walks into reliable income
Instead of booking each walk individually, offer monthly walking packages. A regular client on 5 walks per week at £12/walk = £240/month. Just 10 dogs on this package = £2,400/month = £28,800/year. With 15 regular clients, you reach £43,200/year of predictable, recurring revenue before accounting for pet sitting, holiday boarding, or additional services.
Business Planning
Choosing Your Services
Pet care covers several distinct services. Most businesses start with one or two and expand:
- Dog walking: The core service. Daily walks during working hours. Group walks (4 to 6 dogs) or solo walks (premium rate for reactive or elderly dogs).
- Pet sitting (at owner home): Visiting or staying overnight in the pet owner home while they are away. Covers dogs, cats, small animals, birds.
- Dog home boarding: Keeping dogs in your own home. Requires an Animal Activity Licence and a council inspection. Higher rates but limited capacity.
- Puppy visits: Short midday visits for puppies who cannot join group walks yet. 30-minute toilet break and socialisation. Premium pricing.
- Dog grooming: Bathing, clipping, nail trimming. Requires specific training and equipment. Can be mobile or from a dedicated space.
- Cat sitting: Daily home visits to feed, check on, and spend time with cats while owners are away.
- Small animal care: Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, fish, reptiles. Often as an add-on to cat or pet sitting.
Defining Your Patch
Pet care is hyper-local. Define a geographic area you can serve efficiently:
- Dog walking: you need to be within a short drive of your clients and a suitable park or green space
- Keep your patch tight (ideally within a 3 to 5 mile radius) to minimise travel time between pick-ups
- Research where other dog walkers operate and look for underserved areas
- Consider proximity to parks, common land, and off-lead areas
Pricing Strategy
Lead with monthly walking packages for regular customers:
- Group walk (60 minutes): £10 to £15 per dog per walk; monthly package of 20 walks = £200 to £280/month
- Solo walk (60 minutes): £15 to £25 per walk; for reactive, elderly, or puppy clients
- Puppy visit (30 minutes): £8 to £12 per visit
- Pet sitting (per visit): £10 to £18 per 30 to 60 minute visit
- Overnight pet sitting: £25 to £50 per night
- Dog home boarding: £25 to £45 per night
- Cat sitting (daily visit): £8 to £15 per visit
Do the maths on recurring packages
Morning walk round: 5 dogs at £12 each = £60. Afternoon walk round: 5 dogs at £12 each = £60. Daily total: £120. Monthly (22 working days): £2,640. Add 2 overnight pet sits per month at £35 each: £70. Plus a week of holiday cat sitting at £12/visit for 3 cats: £252/month average. Total: roughly £2,960/month = £35,500/year. All from a local patch you can cover by car in 20 minutes.
Business Plan Essentials
- Services you will offer and pricing for each
- Your target area (which neighbourhoods, which parks?)
- Maximum capacity: how many dogs per walk, how many walks per day
- Income target and the number of regular clients needed
- Vehicle and equipment costs
- Marketing plan: how will local pet owners find you?
Legal Requirements & Business Setup
UK-focused, but Bizzly works worldwide
The legal and tax guidance in this section is based on UK regulations. If you are starting your business outside the UK, check your local requirements for business registration, insurance, tax obligations, and any industry-specific licences. The business planning, marketing, and operational advice throughout this guide applies everywhere.
Registering Your Business
Register as a sole trader with HMRC (free, 5 minutes online). A limited company (£50 at Companies House) is worth considering once your income grows, but sole trader is the standard starting point for dog walkers and pet sitters.
Animal Activity Licence
Under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, you may need a licence for:
- Dog boarding (in your home): Licence required. Your home will be inspected for suitability.
- Dog walking: Many councils now require a licence. Rules vary, so check with your local authority.
- Dog day care: Licence required if you keep dogs at a premises during the day.
- Pet sitting in the owner home: Generally does not require a licence.
The licence costs £50 to £300 depending on your council, and involves an animal welfare inspection. You receive a star rating (1 to 5) which determines the renewal period (1 to 3 years).
Insurance
- Public liability: Covers injury to people and damage to property. Essential.
- Care, custody, and control: Covers vet bills if a pet in your care is injured, falls ill, or escapes. Critical for pet businesses.
- Key-holding insurance: If you hold keys to clients houses. Usually included in specialist pet insurance policies.
- Vehicle insurance: Check your car insurance covers carrying animals for business purposes. Some policies exclude this.
Other Requirements
- DBS check: not legally required but builds trust with clients entrusting you with house keys and pets
- Canine first aid training: not mandatory but strongly recommended
- Risk assessment for each walking location
- GDPR compliance: you will hold personal data (addresses, key codes, pet medical info)
- Client agreements covering liability, emergency procedures, and cancellation terms
Finances & Accounting
Startup Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Activity Licence (dog walking/boarding) | £50 to £300 | Required from your local council for most pet care activities. Cost varies by council and number of activities covered. Renewed annually. |
| Public liability insurance | £80 to £200/year | Covers injury to people, damage to property, and injury to animals in your care. Specialist pet business insurers include Cliverton, Protectivity, and Pet Business Insurance. |
| Care of Dogs insurance | £100 to £300/year | Covers vet bills if a dog in your care is injured or becomes ill. Often combined with public liability. Essential for dog walkers and pet sitters. |
| DBS check (if entering homes) | £18 to £38 | Not legally required but expected by many clients. Shows trustworthiness for key-holding and home access. |
| First aid for dogs course | £40 to £80 | Not mandatory but highly recommended. One-day courses from providers like Canine First Aid or Vets Now. Boosts client confidence. |
| Equipment | £100 to £500 | Leads, harnesses, treat pouch, poo bags, water bottles, towels, car boot liner or crate, high-vis vest. For pet sitting: spare bowls, blankets, cleaning supplies. |
| Vehicle costs | £0 to £500/year | You need a reliable car for dog walking (driving to pick-up locations and parks). Boot liner, crate, or dog guard. Some insurers charge extra for carrying animals. |
| Website and booking platform | £0 to £29/month | From free (Google Site + manual bookings) to all-in-one platforms with online booking and recurring payments. |
| Marketing | £50 to £200 | Business cards, leaflets, branded clothing. Listing fees on pet directories. |
| Accounting software | £0 to £15/month | Wave (free) or Xero (from £15/month). |
| Total Estimated Startup Cost | £438 to £2,145 + £0 to £59/month ongoing |
One of the cheapest businesses to start
Pet care has some of the lowest startup costs of any business. If you already have a car and basic dog handling experience, you can start with just a licence (£50 to £300), insurance (£150), a DBS check (£38), leads and equipment (£100), and leaflets (£50) = under £650. You can be earning income within your first week.
Accounting
- Open a free business bank account (Starling, Tide, or Mettle)
- Use Xero for invoicing and expense tracking. Many small service businesses use Xero for managing their finances. Wave is a free alternative.
- Track income per service type (walking, sitting, boarding) to know what is most profitable
- Track vehicle mileage (45p/mile for the first 10,000 miles is an allowable expense)
- Set aside 25 to 30% of income for tax
- File Self Assessment by 31 January each year
Tax
Pet care income is standard-rated for VAT. Most solo operators stay below the £90,000 threshold. Allowable expenses include: insurance, licence fees, equipment, vehicle fuel and mileage, treats and cleaning supplies, software subscriptions, training courses, and marketing.
Tools & Software to Run Your Pet Care Business
A pet care business needs five core capabilities: online booking (so clients can request walks, visits, and stays without texting back and forth), recurring billing (to automate monthly walking package payments), client records (pet details, vet info, emergency contacts, key codes, feeding instructions), automated reminders (booking confirmations and payment reminders), and a public-facing presence (a professional website or booking page where new clients can see your services and book).
All-in-One Platforms
- Bizzly provides a website, online booking, subscription billing for monthly walking packages, and client management from one dashboard. Live in under 15 minutes.
- Time To Pet is designed specifically for dog walking and pet sitting businesses. Scheduling, GPS tracking, invoicing, and a client portal. From $25/month.
- Pet Sitter Plus is popular in the UK for pet sitting and dog walking. Booking management, invoicing, and client records. From £10/month.
- Scout is a newer platform for dog walkers with route planning, GPS tracking, photo updates, and invoicing.
Building Your Own Stack
- Website: Wix or Squarespace for a simple site with services, pricing, and booking link
- Payments: GoCardless for monthly Direct Debit packages (1% + 20p); Stripe for card payments (1.5% + 20p)
- Booking: Calendly or Setmore for scheduling walks and visits
- Photo updates: WhatsApp is the simplest way to send walk photos and updates to owners
- Invoicing: Xero or Wave (free)
- GPS tracking: Tractive or Map My Walk for recording walking routes
Getting set up is faster than you think
Pet sitting business software or an all-in-one platform can have you live with a booking page and monthly recurring billing in a single afternoon. The sooner you make it easy for clients to book and pay, the sooner you can focus on the animals rather than admin.
For a full comparison of platform pricing and features, see our best software for service businesses guide.
Marketing & Getting Your First Clients
Local Leafleting
Pet care is hyper-local. Your clients live within a few miles of you. Targeted leafleting works well:
- Design a professional A5 leaflet with your services, prices, licence number, and insurance details
- Deliver to houses in your target area (focus on residential streets with gardens, where dog owners are more common)
- Leave flyers at vet surgeries, pet shops, groomers, and dog-friendly cafes
- Post on community notice boards in parks and village halls
Google Business Profile
Set up a free Google Business Profile. When someone searches “dog walker near me” or “pet sitter [your town]”, you want to appear. Add photos (dogs on walks, your branded gear), your service area, prices, and encourage every client to leave a Google review.
Social Media
- Instagram: Post photos and short videos of dogs on walks, happy pets, scenic routes. Pet content performs well on Instagram. Use local hashtags.
- Facebook: Join local Facebook groups for your area. Post in dog owner groups, community pages, and “spotted in [your town]” groups.
- Nextdoor: The neighbourhood social network. Highly effective for local services. Post about your services and ask for recommendations.
Pet Directories
List your business on directories that rank well for “dog walker near me” searches:
- Tailster
- Rover
- BorrowMyDoggy (good for exposure, not direct bookings)
- Bark.com
- NarpsUK (National Association of Registered Pet Sitters)
Partnerships
- Build relationships with local vets (ask if they will recommend you to clients)
- Partner with dog groomers (mutual referrals)
- Connect with dog trainers and behaviourists
- Leave your cards at pet shops and dog-friendly businesses
Walk Photos and Updates
Send photos of dogs during or after every walk. Owners love seeing their pets happy, and photos build trust and loyalty. This is also your best marketing content for social media. Ask permission to share on Instagram and Facebook.
Operations & Scaling
Daily Operations
- Morning: Pick up dogs for morning walk round (typically 9:30 to 11:30). Drive to each client, collect the dog, transport to walking location, walk 45 to 60 minutes, return each dog home.
- Midday: Puppy visits and lunchtime check-ins (11:30 to 13:30)
- Afternoon: Second walk round if demand is there (14:00 to 16:00), or pet sitting visits
- Admin: Respond to enquiries, schedule bookings, send photo updates, invoicing (30 minutes/day)
Managing Group Walks
- Screen every dog with a free meet-and-greet before accepting into group walks
- Group compatible dogs by size, energy level, and temperament
- Carry a first aid kit, slip lead (backup), poo bags, water, and treats
- Know your walking locations well: exits, hazards, livestock areas
- Keep dogs on lead near roads and livestock; only allow off-lead in safe, enclosed areas or with reliable recall
Scaling Your Pet Care Business
- Fill your own capacity first: Aim for 2 full walk rounds per day (10 dogs total) plus pet sitting. This alone can earn £30,000 to £40,000/year.
- Hire additional walkers: Once you have more demand than you can handle, hire part-time or freelance walkers. Pay £8 to £12 per walk and charge clients £12 to £15. Your profit comes from the margin.
- Add services: Dog grooming (requires training), pet taxi, dog training, puppy socialisation classes, dog photography.
- Territory expansion: Expand into neighbouring postcodes with a new walker covering that area.
- Holiday and boarding focus: Holiday periods are high-demand. Build a waiting list of holiday sitting clients to maximise revenue during peak periods (Christmas, summer, half terms).
Growth Milestones
- Month 1 to 3: 3 to 8 regular dogs, £600 to £1,500/month
- Month 3 to 6: 10 to 15 regular dogs + pet sitting, £1,500 to £2,500/month
- Month 6 to 12: Full capacity (15 to 20 regulars), £2,500 to £3,500/month
- Year 2: Additional walker hired, 30+ dogs on the books, £40,000 to £60,000/year revenue
- Year 3+: Small team, multiple territories, grooming or training added, £60,000 to £100,000+/year
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a licence to walk dogs for money in the UK?
If you walk dogs belonging to other people as a business, most local councils now require an Animal Activity Licence under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018. This replaced the old system in October 2018. Contact your local council to check requirements, as enforcement varies. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, separate regulations apply. Even if your council does not yet enforce licensing for dog walking, getting licensed demonstrates professionalism.
How much can a dog walker earn in the UK?
Dog walkers typically charge £10 to £15 per dog per 60-minute walk. Most walkers take 4 to 6 dogs per walk (check your licence conditions for the maximum). Two walks per day with 5 dogs each = £100 to £150/day. Regular clients on monthly packages (5 walks/week at £12/walk = £240/month per dog) create predictable income. A full-time dog walker with 15 to 20 regular clients can earn £25,000 to £45,000/year.
What insurance do I need for pet care?
At minimum: public liability insurance (covers people and property) and care, custody, and control insurance (covers vet bills for animals in your care). If you have employees, employers liability is a legal requirement. Specialist pet business insurers (Cliverton, Protectivity, Pet Business Insurance) offer combined policies from £150 to £400/year. Check that your car insurance covers carrying animals for business purposes.
How many dogs can I walk at once?
Your Animal Activity Licence may specify a maximum (commonly 4 to 6 dogs per walker). Even without a licence-imposed limit, professional organisations recommend no more than 4 to 6 dogs per walker for safety. Some councils have specific bylaws for parks and green spaces. Always consider the behaviour and compatibility of the dogs in the group.
What is the difference between pet sitting and dog boarding?
Pet sitting means caring for animals in their own home (visiting or staying overnight). Dog boarding (home boarding) means keeping dogs in your own home. Dog boarding requires an Animal Activity Licence in England and an inspection of your home by the council. Pet sitting in the animal owner home does not require a separate licence in most cases but check with your council.
Do I need qualifications to start a pet care business?
There are no mandatory qualifications, but these help: Canine First Aid certificate, City and Guilds or NCFE qualifications in animal care, dog behaviour and handling course, and for dog grooming a Level 2/3 qualification. The licensing process may assess your knowledge and experience with animals. Training not only improves safety but also helps you charge more.
Should I offer dog walking, pet sitting, or both?
Many pet care businesses start with dog walking (lower barrier, daily recurring income) and add pet sitting for existing clients. Pet sitting is a natural upsell for holidays and weekends. Dog walking fills weekday mornings; pet sitting fills evenings, weekends, and holidays. Offering both maximises your revenue per client.
How do I handle aggressive or difficult dogs?
Screen every dog before accepting them. Meet the dog and owner together for a free trial walk or introduction. Ask about behaviour around other dogs, recall reliability, and any triggers. Reserve the right to refuse dogs that are unsuitable for group walks. Consider offering solo walks at a premium rate for reactive dogs. Invest in a dog behaviour course so you can manage challenging situations safely.
What pet sitting business software should I use?
You need online booking (so clients can request walks or stays without texting back and forth), recurring billing (for regular dog walking clients on monthly packages), and client records (dog details, vet info, emergency contacts, keys held). All-in-one platforms like Bizzly, Time To Pet, or Pet Sitter Plus handle these from one dashboard. Simpler setups might use Calendly for booking and GoCardless for payments.
Can I run a pet care business alongside a full-time job?
Dog walking is hard to combine with a 9-to-5 because most walks are needed during working hours (lunchtime walks are the core demand). However, you could start with early morning, evening, or weekend walks, or focus on pet sitting and home visits initially. Many pet care businesses start part-time and transition to full-time once the client base is sufficient.
Next Steps: Your Pet Care Business Checklist
Here is everything covered in this guide, distilled into an action plan:
- Decide which services to offer (dog walking, pet sitting, boarding, other)
- Define your geographic patch (3 to 5 mile radius, near good walking spots)
- Register as a sole trader with HMRC
- Apply for an Animal Activity Licence from your local council
- Get public liability and care, custody, and control insurance
- Get a DBS check
- Complete a canine first aid course
- Buy basic equipment: leads, harnesses, treats, first aid kit, car protection
- Set your pricing: monthly walking packages first, ad hoc rates second
- Set up a professional website with services, prices, and booking link
- Claim your Google Business Profile and add photos
- Open a free business bank account (Starling, Tide, or Mettle)
- Set up Xero or Wave for accounting
- Design and distribute leaflets to your target area
- Create social media profiles (Instagram, Facebook, Nextdoor)
- List on pet directories (Tailster, Rover, Bark)
- Visit local vets, pet shops, and groomers with your cards
- Offer free meet-and-greets for every new dog
- Send walk photos to every client after every session
- Collect reviews and testimonials from happy clients
Pet care is a genuinely rewarding business for animal lovers, with strong recurring demand and low startup costs. If you are looking for an all-in-one platform to manage your pet care business, take a look at Bizzly.