Pet service idea

JemmaD

Hi Everyone, I'm just after some advice please.......I want to setup my own service, dog walking & pet sitting in clients home & hopefully progress in grooming. Have no idea where to start......I'm based in Ballina Co Mayo

Darc19

Check websites like housemydog, let local hotels that permit dogs know that you are providing this service.
https://housemydog.com/

muddypaws

You'll need insurance, garda clearance if you will be going into people's houses while they're out is a good idea. An animal first aid qualification, sometimes accidents happen.

Do you have a relationship with local vets and pet shops?

Graces7

muddypaws wrote: »

You'll need insurance, garda clearance if you will be going into people's houses while they're out is a good idea. An animal first aid qualification, sometimes accidents happen.

Do you have a relationship with local vets and pet shops?

Absolutely all these needed. Pets are about people as much as animals. Also connect with any boarding kennels thereabouts?

Set yourself up on Pawshake.

If you branch out on your own you will need insurance of your own and also register for taxes.

A lot of people think dog walking is just putting a dog on a lead and they just float along like balloons. It's not all fluffy and light! Be prepared to be pulled underneath a fast moving truck in a storm. All manner of crap can happen as a professional dig walker!

tk123

I'd want anyone taking my dogs to have some sort of qualification in training/behaviour too. I've heard stories on the local FB of a local dog walker taking multiple dogs to a local walking spot and tying them together and that's their exercise - left to their own devices. Like I'd want somebody who can tell that say play is getting out of hand and that socialisation is more than leaving the dogs to it, who'd maybe do some basic training commands to keep the dogs engaged and can tell if they're afraid by that dog coming up to them, or are overwhelmed etc etc Another thing is that I'd want anyone taking them say for holidays to have them indoors - again from stories of a dog minder leaving dogs in a damp garden (our area is extremely damp with the river and the fact it's kind of down in a valley) or damp shed for the day and wheeling them into the house before collection time.

Graces7

Also OP; check to see what similar services there are in your proposed catchment area; I am not too far from Ballina and it is a relatively small and not densely populated area. Be prepared to start very small and build up slowly.

Darc19

tk123 wrote: »

I'd want anyone taking my dogs to have some sort of qualification in training/behaviour too. I've heard stories on the local FB of a local dog walker taking multiple dogs to a local walking spot and tying them together and that's their exercise - left to their own devices. Like I'd want somebody who can tell that say play is getting out of hand and that socialisation is more than leaving the dogs to it, who'd maybe do some basic training commands to keep the dogs engaged and can tell if they're afraid by that dog coming up to them, or are overwhelmed etc etc Another thing is that I'd want anyone taking them say for holidays to have them indoors - again from stories of a dog minder leaving dogs in a damp garden (our area is extremely damp with the river and the fact it's kind of down in a valley) or damp shed for the day and wheeling them into the house before collection time.

Why do so many people believe the utter sh1te that is spouted on Facebook.

If YOU saw it or experienced it or someone you know and trust did, fair enough. But most whining, complaining and moaning on Facebook is made up drivel and usually spurred on by vengeance, jealousy or pure nastiness.

tk123

Darc19 wrote: »

Why do so many people believe the utter sh1te that is spouted on Facebook.

If YOU saw it or experienced it or someone you know and trust did, fair enough. But most whining, complaining and moaning on Facebook is made up drivel and usually spurred on by vengeance, jealousy or pure nastiness.

In this case it’s been verified by multiple people so yes I believe it 100%..

Graces7

And as this concerns the care and welfare of pets? Needs total trust and total openness. Hence all the regulations and qualifications listed in previous posts. If all is well, no harm done of course.

tk123 wrote: »

In this case it’s been verified by multiple people so yes I believe it 100%..

Addle

Pets are like children OP in that you’ll need more qualifications and will have to deal with more paperwork to look after them than to have them yourself.
Good luck!

puppieperson1

pet sitters ireland always looking to have people in various areas they fully support you in the background

Anne_cordelia

JemmaD wrote: »

Hi Everyone, I'm just after some advice please.......I want to setup my own service, dog walking & pet sitting in clients home & hopefully progress in grooming. Have no idea where to start......I'm based in Ballina Co Mayo

Go to your Local Entreprise Office for a start. There are start your own business courses you can avail of to help with the marketing, accounting, insurance etc side.

Personally I wouldn’t expect qualifications from anyone walking my dog or pet sitting.

Graces7

Anne_cordelia wrote: »

Go to your Local Entreprise Office for a start. There are start your own business courses you can avail of to help with the marketing, accounting, insurance etc side.

Personally I wouldn’t expect qualifications from anyone walking my dog or pet sitting.

With great respect, if you read the posts, it is more about finding someone you can trust with your pets than formal qualifications. Qualifications will help. Of course they will!

I would not automatically trust - and pay - someone unknown to me, and if they have taken the trouble to be qualified and to get the clearances and references needed to come into my home, let alone have the care of my most treasured "possessions" it would go a long way towards employing them.

Starting up is not easy OP; when you have a few happy clients that will work wonders. Word of mouth is the best advertisement there is.

ALex11111

JemmaD wrote: »

Hi Everyone, I'm just after some advice please.......I want to setup my own service, dog walking & pet sitting in clients home & hopefully progress in grooming. Have no idea where to start......I'm based in Ballina Co Mayo

petbacker.com this site might be helps you to your startup

Boredstiff666

A dog walker/sitter would need to be a friend of god before I let you in charge of my dogs.

That may help you sort out what kind of insurance you would need.