For new solo sitters and dog walkers
How to start a pet sitting business: the setup checklist
You have someone’s trust—and their pet’s routine to remember. Before your first visit, decide what you offer, how much time you have and where each client’s details will live.
This guide focuses on getting your visits organized. Check the business registration, insurance and local requirements that apply where you work before taking bookings.
1. Choose the visits you can reliably offer
Start with a short service list you can explain clearly: a 30-minute dog walk, a drop-in visit or overnight care. Define what each includes, the area you cover and the pets you can confidently care for.
- Write down the visit length, what is included and your rate.
- Decide your working hours and days off.
- Agree on access, updates and any extra tasks before confirming.
In Pet Workspace: Customize your services and rates so you can reuse them when organizing bookings.
2. Count travel time, not just walking time
A 30-minute walk needs more than 30 minutes in your day. Leave room for travel, getting in and out, and sending an owner update. Begin with a schedule you can deliver comfortably.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 10:00–10:30 | First dog’s walk |
| 10:30–11:00 | Finish visit, update owner and travel |
| 11:00–11:30 | Second dog’s walk |
Adjust the gap to the actual journey. During holiday weeks, review the whole week before accepting an extra visit.
In Pet Workspace: Month and Week calendars show your bookings, and overlap warnings help you spot conflicts. You still plan travel and judge whether the schedule is realistic.
3. Collect each pet’s details before the first visit
- Owner’s contact information, address and agreed way to send updates.
- Pet’s name, routine, feeding instructions and owner-provided medication details.
- Emergency contact, veterinary contact and the owner’s emergency instructions.
- Home access instructions, security details and the final lock-up routine.
- Walk preferences and handling details discussed with the owner.
Arrange a meet-and-greet and clarify anything missing before accepting care responsibilities. Keep private access details secure.
In Pet Workspace: Save client and pet profiles before choosing booking dates. Keep contacts, care instructions and routines with the pet.
4. Turn the request into a reviewed booking
When a client texts, confirm the date, start and end times, service, pet, rate and any special instructions. Read the finished booking back against the request before saving it.
In Pet Workspace: Import a booking request from a client’s text, review the prepared details and save. Nothing is confirmed or sent for you.
5. Decide how you’ll finish each visit
Use a care checklist for the pet’s routine. Then send a short owner update: what you did, how the pet was and anything the owner needs to know. Agree on the update method before the first visit.
In Pet Workspace: Use personalized care checklists and prepare a client-ready visit summary. Review it before sharing.
Before you say “yes” to a holiday booking
- Check the full date range, including arrival and departure days.
- Confirm the number of visits each day and each visit’s time window.
- Review other bookings and allow realistic travel time.
- Confirm access and emergency contacts while the owner is away.
- Check that care instructions and the update plan are current.
Keep the organization in one place.
Pet Workspace helps you organize the clients you bring in: profiles, bookings, care checklists and owner updates. It does not find clients or process their payments.
Available now on iPhone and iPad. Android app coming soon.
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