It's been suggested by three or four people this month alone that instead of "borrowing" people's dog's for the day, as I do now for company on walks and stuff, that I should start charging and make some money out of it.

Now, I'm not naive, and I know there's not a hope in hell of haddock and moi affording insurance and the other various costs that come with a business like this-but it's got me thinking, more out of curiousity then anything else-how much is insurance? What other costs do you incur? And is it as dreamy a job as it looks? I suspect, as with everything, there are ups and downs!

Just being nosy really-pet sitters, tell me everything:hihi:

Hi LM. Insurance is about £75 per year.other costs involved are CRB check, essential travel costs, poo bags, treats, advertising. It is a nice rewarding job but is very tiring and if you're not careful can take over your life. Some inconsiderate people can ring as late as 11.30 at night, but luckily there's not too many of them.All the dogs I walk are lovely. The only pet sitting I do is cat feeds and staying over in peoples houses. I haven't had any problems with this. Hope this helps. Helen x

I've been considering doing this at home too, but including boarding. I think with boarding you have to pay business rates on your house, instead of residential?

...other costs involved are CRB check...
Just curious, how often do your clients ask to see your CRB check?

Just curious, how often do your clients ask to see your CRB check?

I don't wait for them to ask. I show it as a matter of course along with my insurance details.

I've been considering doing this at home too, but including boarding. I think with boarding you have to pay business rates on your house, instead of residential?

Sorry *Peaches* I don't know about the boarding side as I don't offer that service. Teeny could advise you as she used to board.

Few more things need to be considered than you think on this matter, if you are taking dogs into your home you need a license issued by the council, your home becomes a buisness so might affect your morgage and rates, any waste generated becomes "comercial" and you have to have a trade waste account, public liability insurance and such needs to be organised, Not sure where the CRB check comes into it thought these only applied when working with children ????. then of corse there allways the tax to be paid on your income, and the accountant to pay each year end.

The benifits would be seeing all the new animals each week that you are looking after !!!

Sorry *Peaches* I don't know about the boarding side as I don't offer that service. Teeny could advise you as she used to board.

I still board hun! small animals but have a separated buisness premisses!
which makes insurance easier and if you are in council or rented residensial property its differcult but not impossible.

I still board hun! small animals but have a separated buisness premisses!
which makes insurance easier and if you are in council or rented residensial property its differcult but not impossible.
I was refering to DOG boarding, which I think is what LM and *Peaches* were questioning, not small animal boarding which I do myself. Think you've misunderstood me Teeny.

I was thinking more small animals, sorry

Sorry *Peaches* and Teeny. LM's post mentioned dogs and with *Peaches* having a dog I thought she also meant dog boarding. I think I'll give up now before this gets too confusing !!!!!!

my fault :help:

Thanks everyone-it really is interesting to hear about it from your point of view!

I'm surprised at the insurance-for some reason, I thought it'd be much more then that!

Helen, I'm not surprised at the inconsiderate owners-customers in general are ok, but you do come into contact with some HORRIBLE people in every job I think! At least my customers at the moment can't contact me at home :hihi:

CRB checks.

DOes the pet sitter need a valid CRB check, and is it true that certain breeds of dogs now have to have a CRB check?

dogs like Rottweilers etc...the more aggresive type

CRB checks.

DOes the pet sitter need a valid CRB check, and is it true that certain breeds of dogs now have to have a CRB check?

dogs like Rottweilers etc...the more aggresive type

Why rottweilers? Any dog can be aggressive and I have met some fabulous rotties :). To be honest I think little dogs can be nastier but not cause as much damage because of their size.

Good luck Little Mermaid if you decide to go ahead :thumbsup:

CRB checks.

DOes the pet sitter need a valid CRB check, and is it true that certain breeds of dogs now have to have a CRB check?

dogs like Rottweilers etc...the more aggresive type

Its not the case but is advised by the police when you are looking for petsitter , check references out, CRB and Insurance some are more expensive , NARP is advised but very expensive, we have the same policey different company and the same under writers but a hell of alot cheaper than Narp.

I spoke with the RSPCA and animal enforcement officer who say they have heard nothing for having certain breeds where you have to have a CRB check for walking/ pet caring etc

I spoke with the RSPCA and animal enforcement officer who say they have heard nothing for having certain breeds where you have to have a CRB check for walking/ pet caring etc

I'm leaning to thinking green_god posts nothing with any use and is just trying to inject some 'humour'/get a reaction.

AKA a troll ;)

I'm leaning to thinking green_god posts nothing with any use and is just trying to inject some 'humour'/get a reaction.

AKA a troll ;)

lol yes but its always good to check up as we do this as a buisness we wouldn't want to doing anything that we could lose our good name for not having if you see what I mean lol