Are you thinking of starting a dog walking or pet sitting business? You probably have lots of questions. For example, do you really need to bother with a dog walking contract or pet sitting agreement?

Dog walking and pet sitting contracts are not a legal requirement for running a pet business in the UK, so are they worth the hassle? The short answer is yes but read on for more info.

Do I need a dog walking contract or pet sitting agreement?

Here are 5 reasons why it is a good idea to have a dog walking contract or pet sitting agreement. It

• Protects you (and your customers) from unforeseen events.
• Clarifies the pet services that you offer your customers so that there can be no misunderstandings further down the line.
• Makes it easier for you to get insurance for your dog walking or pet sitting business.
• Will make your pet business look more professional.
• May protect you from getting sued.

Where to find dog walking and pet sitting contract templates

There are lots of free dog walking contracts online. Just Google: dog walking contract uk or pet sitting contract uk.

Start by reading through a few templates and pick out any which match the type of service you want to provide.

Once you have put together your contract, it is advisable to get it checked by a legal adviser. Although this will cost you money it is a great investment in your business, and may also be a tax-deductible expense. Your bookkeeper, accountant, or the Inland Revenue will be able to clarify this.

Things to include in a dog walking contract or pet sitting agreement

A good contract will clearly state the service you will provide, your policies, your procedures and any obligations on the customer’s side.

A typical contract will include the following sections:

• A description of the service. Be as specific as possible. e.g. visiting hours, the number of dogs, location etc.
• The price and payment terms.
• Your cancellation policy.
• Your limits of liability. e.g. pets who run away.

Don’t forget to leave somewhere for your customer to sign!

Buy our pack of essential pet business documents

For the price of just one pet sitting or dog walking appointment you can purchase a bundle of all the essential pet business documents you’ll need.

They are suitable for pet sitters and dog walkers and include a contract, medical disclosure form and other disclaimers and logs.

Find out more here – Pet Business Documents

Get free documents by joining Pet Sitter Club

We offer our Pet Sitter Club members unlimited FREE DOCUMENTS.

These include dog walking contracts, pet sitting agreements, cat sitting templates, medication consent forms and  a veterinary release form.

You can join the Pet Sitter Club today to get access to these and many more documents.

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