Preview: figures awaiting verification
Some numbers on this page haven't been checked against their sources yet.
Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Business
A very low-cost service business built on daily and weekly repeat visits, where growth means hiring walkers as employees.
Figures last verified October 30, 2026
$320 – $570*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — Form LLC-1, Articles of Organization(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Time To Pet — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 3 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Startup cost
Coming soon
Time to first revenue
Low
Difficulty
Moderate
Physical demand
Yes
Can run solo
Year-round; sitting peaks on holidays and summer travel
Seasonality
* Startup cost excludes budget lines we haven't sourced yet.
Risk Meter
Eight factors from this guide's own data, each scored 1 (lowest risk) to 5 (highest). Every score shows why.
Overall risk
Low
1.8 out of 5
Average of 6 of 8 factors, weighted equally. 1 is the lowest risk and 5 the highest. It measures risk, not how much you'll earn, and it isn't a prediction. How we score risk.
Money at risk
Not scoredAt least $570
8 startup lines aren't sourced yet, so the real total is higher. We'll score this once the budget is complete.
Time to earn it back
Not scoredNot scored yet
Some startup or operating cost lines aren't sourced yet, so a payback time would look shorter than it really is.
Franchise closure rate
3 / 59.8% a yearPending verificationSourceWoofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Closures = terminations + non-renewals + outlets that ceased operations, divided by franchised outlets at the start of the year.
Average of 1 brand: Woofie's 9.8% (2025). Our calculation from each FDD's Item 20.
Loan default rate
2 / 55.8% vs 7.2% for all industriesPending verificationSourceSBA 7(a) FOIA loan-level data, files as of September 30, 2026 (our count by NAICS code)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Charged off = the SBA wrote off the unpaid balance after the borrower stopped paying. An industry code can include businesses unlike this one.
134 of 2,310 SBA 7(a) loans to Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (NAICS 812910), approved FY2010–2019, were charged off. Our count from the SBA's loan-level data; 364 loans were still open, so the final rate may be slightly higher.
Demand trend
1 / 5Growing much faster than all businessesPending verificationSourcesU.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns 2019, U.S. file (cbp19us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026U.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns 2023, U.S. file (cbp23us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026
Pet care (except veterinary) services (NAICS 812910) employer establishments +25.2% (20,413 to 25,551) vs +5.1% for all industries, 2019–2023.
Licensing and rules
1 / 5Light
No state license for dog walking or pet sitting; only a city or county business license (see Licensing).
Customer concentration
1 / 5Many customers
Many pet-owning households as regular clients; losing one barely matters.
Physical demand
3 / 5Moderate
From the guide's at-a-glance rating; see the risks section for details.
Franchise vs. Independent
Same type of business. Two very different paths.
| Franchise (3 brands) | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | $45,000 – $97,000Pending verificationSourcesFranzy — Fetch! Pet Care franchise listing(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Woofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Hike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $75,067 – $294,936Pending verificationSourcesFranzy — Fetch! Pet Care franchise listing(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Woofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Hike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands. | $320 – $570*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — Form LLC-1, Articles of Organization(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Time To Pet — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 3 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded. |
| Ongoing royalties | 6.5% – 8% of revenuePending verificationSourcesFranzy — Fetch! Pet Care franchise listing(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Woofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Hike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $26,105 – $26,705Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — dog walker insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Surety Bonds Direct — pet sitter insurance and bonding (bond price table)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Pub. 3556, LLC filing information(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Time To Pet — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths. | $26,105 – $26,705 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $113,028 – $354,556 | $26,425 – $27,275* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $45,000 – $97,000Pending verificationSourcesFranzy — Fetch! Pet Care franchise listing(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Woofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Hike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $75,067 – $294,936Pending verificationSourcesFranzy — Fetch! Pet Care franchise listing(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Woofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Hike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands.
- Independent
- $320 – $570*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — Form LLC-1, Articles of Organization(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Time To Pet — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Computed from 3 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Ongoing royalties
- Franchise (3 brands)
- 6.5% – 8% of revenuePending verificationSourcesFranzy — Fetch! Pet Care franchise listing(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Woofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Hike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $26,105 – $26,705Pending verificationSourcesInsureon — dog walker insurance cost(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Surety Bonds Direct — pet sitter insurance and bonding (bond price table)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Pub. 3556, LLC filing information(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Time To Pet — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths.
- Independent
- $26,105 – $26,705
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (3 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $113,028 – $354,556
- Independent
- $26,425 – $27,275*
5-year totals assume $29,640–$59,800 in yearly revenue (our forecast presets at full volume), the same sourced operating costs (insurance, software, fees) on both paths, and both the lean and professional independent plans. Franchise investment figures come from each brand's disclosure (FDD Item 7) and already include the franchise fee. * Excludes independent startup lines we haven't sourced yet. Adjust the assumptions.
What franchisees report taking in
From each brand's own disclosure (FDD Item 19), copied exactly. These are gross sales before royalties and costs, not profit, and not a promise of what you will earn.
Fetch! Pet Care
We could not check Item 19: no current Fetch! Pet Care FDD is on file in Minnesota CARDS (the newest there is from 2020), so the FDD wasn't available to check.
Woofie's
Item 19 reports 2025 gross revenue for the 46 franchisees (74 territories) open all of 2025, by quartile, plus each newer franchisee's first-year revenue; the figures include mobile grooming, not only pet sitting.
- Average 2025 gross revenue per franchisee (46 franchisees open all of 2025; gross sales, not profit)$396,007 a yearPending verificationSourceWoofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Table 3. Only 10 of the 46 franchisees (22%) reached this average; some franchisees own several territories. FDD Item 19, as reported by franchisees. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Woofie's revenue includes mobile grooming as well as pet sitting and walking. Excludes 22 franchisees that opened during 2025 and 3 that closed. Some outlets have sold this amount; your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross revenue per franchisee (same 46 franchisees; gross sales, not profit)$258,146 a yearPending verificationSourceWoofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Table 3. FDD Item 19, as reported by franchisees. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Woofie's revenue includes mobile grooming as well as pet sitting and walking. Excludes 22 franchisees that opened during 2025 and 3 that closed. Some outlets have sold this amount; your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross revenue per territory (74 territories open all of 2025; gross sales, not profit)$155,554 a yearPending verificationSourceWoofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Table 2. FDD Item 19, as reported by franchisees. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Woofie's revenue includes mobile grooming as well as pet sitting and walking. Excludes 22 franchisees that opened during 2025 and 3 that closed. Some outlets have sold this amount; your results may differ.
- Average first-year gross revenue per franchisee (45 franchisees, each in its own first year; gross sales, not profit)$120,547 a yearPending verificationSourceWoofie's 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Table 5 (revenue ramp); 25 of 45 (56%) reached this average; covers franchisees opened before 2020 through 2024. FDD Item 19, as reported by franchisees. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Woofie's revenue includes mobile grooming as well as pet sitting and walking. Excludes 22 franchisees that opened during 2025 and 3 that closed. Some outlets have sold this amount; your results may differ.
Hike Doggie
Item 19 reports 2025 gross revenue for only two outlets: the affiliate-owned Denver outlet (open since 2016, four buses) and one franchised outlet in Centennial, Colorado, shown by quarter.
- 2025 gross revenue, affiliate-owned Denver Metro outlet (opened 2016, 4 buses, 10 territories; gross sales, not profit)$1,012,795 a yearPending verificationSourceHike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Affiliate-owned, not a franchise: it pays no royalty and is far larger than a new franchise (87% of its revenue came from five territories with about 740,000 people; a franchisee can hold up to five territories of up to 125,000 each). FDD Item 19. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Your results may differ.
- Gross revenue in Q1 2025 (one quarter), franchised Centennial, CO outlet (1 bus, 3 territories)$16,760Pending verificationSourceHike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Quarterly, not yearly. The only franchised outlet open all of 2025; open less than 24 months at December 31, 2025. Four franchised outlets that opened in 2025 were excluded. FDD Item 19. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Your results may differ.
- Gross revenue in Q4 2025 (one quarter), same Centennial, CO franchised outlet$31,190Pending verificationSourceHike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Quarterly, not yearly. FDD Item 19. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Your results may differ.
- Gross revenue in Q1 2026 (one quarter), same Centennial, CO franchised outlet$39,225Pending verificationSourceHike Doggie 2026 Unit FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Quarterly, not yearly. FDD Item 19. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Your results may differ.
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- Dog walking and pet sitting are the core services, the closest match to this business
- Home-based model with no storefront
- Brand in business since 2002 with a national network of owners
- Initial training and operating systems
- Adds mobile grooming as a second service from a branded van
- Required safety training in driving, pet first aid and CPR, and animal handling
- Pre-opening and grand opening marketing run with the franchisor
- Designated software and website
- Distinct group-hike service that is harder for solo walkers to copy
- Branded bus and brand identity package
- Franchisor can handle customer service calls
- Initial training and ongoing remote support
Going independent means
- You keep 100% of what you earn after costs — no royalties.
- You build your own brand, systems, and customer base.
- You need more self-reliance, especially in the first year.
Startup Budget
One-time costs to launch, from cited sources. Totals are added up from the lines below.
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| California LLC filing (Articles of Organization)Pending verificationSourceCalifornia Secretary of State — Form LLC-1, Articles of Organization(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026 | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| City or county business license | Data coming soon | ||
| Leashes, waste bags, treat pouch, rain gear | Data coming soon | ||
| Pet first aid and CPR course | Data coming soon | ||
| Scheduling and billing software, first year (Time To Pet Lite, billed yearly)Pending verificationSourceTime To Pet — pricing(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Lite plan for solo walkers and sitters, $250 a year or $25 a month. | $250 | $250 | $250 |
| Website and online booking page | Data coming soon | ||
| Marketing launch (flyers, door hangers, local ads) | Data coming soon | ||
| Total (sourced lines only) | $320 | $320 | $320 |
Share of mid estimate
- California LLC filing (Articles of Organization)22%
- Scheduling and billing software, first year (Time To Pet Lite, billed yearly)78%
Budget spreadsheet
Every line with its sources, included in the complete kit.
The total leaves out 5 lines we haven't sourced yet. We don't guess.
24-Month Forecast
An example to plan with. Every assumption is yours to change.
This is an estimate, not a prediction
Ticket is the lowest Thumbtack 30-minute walk example ($19). Walks per week, ramp-up, cost share and seasonality are our assumptions, not operator data. 30 walks a week is about 6 a weekday. Change any assumption to match your market. Your results will differ.
- Break-even
- Month 3
- Year-1 revenue
- $20,300
- Year-2 profit
- $21,989
Show monthly table
| Month | Jobs | Revenue | Costs | Profit | Cumulative cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Mar) | 21.7 | $412 | $473 | -$61 | -$381 |
| 2 (Apr) | 35.2 | $669 | $494 | $175 | -$206 |
| 3 (May) | 48.8 | $926 | $514 | $412 | $206 |
| 4 (Jun) | 65.4 | $1,243 | $539 | $703 | $910 |
| 5 (Jul) | 79.6 | $1,513 | $561 | $952 | $1,861 |
| 6 (Aug) | 89.4 | $1,698 | $576 | $1,122 | $2,984 |
| 7 (Sep) | 97.8 | $1,858 | $589 | $1,269 | $4,253 |
| 8 (Oct) | 110.6 | $2,102 | $608 | $1,494 | $5,747 |
| 9 (Nov) | 130.0 | $2,470 | $638 | $1,832 | $7,579 |
| 10 (Dec) | 143.0 | $2,717 | $657 | $2,060 | $9,639 |
| 11 (Jan) | 123.5 | $2,347 | $628 | $1,719 | $11,358 |
| 12 (Feb) | 123.5 | $2,347 | $628 | $1,719 | $13,076 |
| 13 (Mar) | 130.0 | $2,470 | $638 | $1,832 | $14,909 |
| 14 (Apr) | 130.0 | $2,470 | $638 | $1,832 | $16,741 |
| 15 (May) | 130.0 | $2,470 | $638 | $1,832 | $18,574 |
| 16 (Jun) | 136.5 | $2,594 | $647 | $1,946 | $20,520 |
| 17 (Jul) | 136.5 | $2,594 | $647 | $1,946 | $22,466 |
| 18 (Aug) | 130.0 | $2,470 | $638 | $1,832 | $24,298 |
| 19 (Sep) | 123.5 | $2,347 | $628 | $1,719 | $26,017 |
| 20 (Oct) | 123.5 | $2,347 | $628 | $1,719 | $27,736 |
| 21 (Nov) | 130.0 | $2,470 | $638 | $1,832 | $29,568 |
| 22 (Dec) | 143.0 | $2,717 | $657 | $2,060 | $31,628 |
| 23 (Jan) | 123.5 | $2,347 | $628 | $1,719 | $33,346 |
| 24 (Feb) | 123.5 | $2,347 | $628 | $1,719 | $35,065 |
Pricing
What customers typically pay, from large-sample cost data.
What customers pay
- 30-minute dog walk (examples from individual pros)$19 – $23Pending verificationSourceThumbtack — dog walking prices (updated Oct 28, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Four Thumbtack pros in WA, FL, NY and NC quote $19, $20, $20 and $23. Examples, not an average; no published sample size.
- Dog walking, per hour (national average)$20 – $40Pending verificationSourceThumbtack — dog walking prices (updated Oct 28, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Per hour, depending on walk length, number of dogs and location. No published sample size.
- Dog walking, typical cost range (national average)$36 – $107Pending verificationSourceThumbtack — dog walking prices (updated Oct 28, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Thumbtack does not say whether this is per walk or per booking. No published sample size.
- Pet sitting, per hour (national average)$27 – $30Pending verificationSourceThumbtack — pet sitting prices (updated Oct 28, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026No published sample size.
- Overnight pet sitting, per night (national average)$160 – $268Pending verificationSourceThumbtack — pet sitting prices (updated Oct 28, 2026)(opens in a new tab)Tier 2 · Industry report · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026No published sample size.
What similar businesses take in
Context only, not a promise of what you will earn. Government figures cover every business in the industry; guide figures are rougher. Tap the source icon to see which is which. These are revenue, before costs.
- Average yearly receipts per pet care firm with fewer than 5 employees (NAICS 812910, U.S. employer firms, 2022)$154,473 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, U.S. and states, 6-digit NAICS (us_state_6digitnaics_2022)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Calculated by us from the Census table: $2,186,564,000 in receipts across 14,155 firms, rounded to the nearest dollar. Receipts are gross revenue, not profit. NAICS 812910 (Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services) also includes grooming, boarding and training. Shown for context only — not a promise or prediction of your results.
- Average yearly receipts per pet care firm with fewer than 5 employees in California (NAICS 812910, employer firms, 2022)$182,492 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, U.S. and states, 6-digit NAICS (us_state_6digitnaics_2022)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Calculated by us from the Census table: $278,118,000 in receipts across 1,524 California firms, rounded to the nearest dollar. Receipts are gross revenue, not profit. NAICS 812910 (Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services) also includes grooming, boarding and training. Shown for context only — not a promise or prediction of your results.
- Average yearly receipts per nonemployer (solo, no payroll) pet care business (NAICS 81291, U.S., 2024)$24,658 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Nonemployer Statistics 2024, U.S. file (nonemp24us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Calculated by us from the Census file: $4,013,728,000 in receipts across 162,773 nonemployer businesses, rounded to the nearest dollar. Many are part-time. Receipts are gross revenue, not profit. NAICS 812910 (Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services) also includes grooming, boarding and training. Shown for context only — not a promise or prediction of your results.
Key Risks and How to Manage Them
Miles of walking every day
A full schedule can mean 8–12 walks a day in heat, rain and cold, plus strong dogs pulling on the leash. For someone in their mid-50s, knees, hips, feet and falls are real concerns.
How to manage it: Build up your schedule gradually, wear good footwear, take small or calm dogs first, walk one or two dogs at a time, and hire walkers before your body forces the issue.
Dog bites, fights and lost dogs
A dog in your care can bite someone, fight another dog, get hurt or slip its collar. You are responsible while the dog is with you.
How to manage it: Do a meet-and-greet before every new client, decline dogs with a bite history, use secure harnesses, carry liability insurance that covers animals in your care, and take a pet first aid course.
Hiring walkers as contractors
Under California's ABC test, a walker who walks your clients' dogs is doing work in the usual course of your business, so they are very likely an employee. Misclassifying them can bring back taxes, penalties and interest.
How to manage it: Plan to hire walkers as W-2 employees: register with the EDD, run payroll and buy workers' comp. Price your services so the extra cost works.
Keys, alarm codes and trust
You hold clients' house keys and alarm codes. One lost key or a theft accusation can end a client relationship and hurt your reputation.
How to manage it: Label keys with codes, not addresses, store them locked, get bonded, run background checks on staff, and use software that logs every visit with time and GPS.
Competition from Rover and Wag
App walkers are easy for customers to find and often charge less. The apps also take a share of every booking they send you.
How to manage it: Compete on reliability: the same walker each week, insurance and bonding, clear updates. Use the apps to find first clients if you want, but move toward direct repeat clients.
Weekends and holidays
Pet sitting demand is highest when you would want time off: holidays, long weekends and summer vacations. Cancellations can also leave gaps.
How to manage it: Charge holiday rates, set a cancellation policy, cap your overnight bookings, and line up a trusted backup sitter.
Low ticket, hard income ceiling
Each walk earns about $20, and you can only walk so many dogs in a day. Solo income tops out quickly.
How to manage it: Add higher-value services like overnight sitting, offer weekly packages, and plan when you will hire your first walker.
Licensing by State
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction.
More states are coming.
A general guide only. Rules change and vary by city and county — confirm with your local government before you start.
No state license for dog walking or pet sitting
Pending verificationCalifornia does not issue a state license for dog walkers or in-home pet sitters. Boarding pets at your own home or running a kennel can bring city zoning and permit rules, so check before offering it.
Verify with the California Business Portal (CalGold permit finder)(opens in a new tab)City or county business license
Pending verificationRequired in most California cities, including for home-based businesses. Check with the city where your business is based.
Verify with the California Business Portal (CalGold permit finder)(opens in a new tab)LLC filing and $800 annual tax (if you form an LLC)
Pending verificationPending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — Form LLC-1, Articles of Organization(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — Pub. 3556, LLC filing information(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026Forming an LLC costs $70 with the Secretary of State. LLCs then owe the Franchise Tax Board an $800 annual tax each year.
Verify with the California Secretary of State — bizfile Online(opens in a new tab)Employees vs. contractors: the ABC test (AB 5)
Pending verificationPending verificationSourcesCalifornia DIR — Independent contractor vs. employee (ABC test) FAQ(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026California EDD — Information Sheet: Employment (DE 231)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 30, 2026Last verified October 30, 2026California presumes anyone you pay is an employee unless you prove all three parts of the ABC test. Part B requires the work to be outside the usual course of your business, which dog walking for a dog walking company is not. Once you hire, register with the EDD for payroll taxes and carry workers' compensation.
Verify with the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency — Employment Status Portal(opens in a new tab)Local permits for walking several dogs at once — may apply
Pending verificationSome cities regulate professional dog walkers in parks. San Francisco, for example, requires a commercial dog walker permit for walkers handling several dogs at once, with insurance and training rules. Check your city and park district.
Verify with the San Francisco Animal Care & Control — Commercial Dog Walker Permit(opens in a new tab)
The Playbook
A step-by-step guide from setup to growth.
Phase 1
Setup
- Choose your business structure and get a city business license
- Get liability insurance and a fidelity bond
- Take a pet first aid and CPR course
- Set up scheduling, key tracking and billing software
- Write your service agreement and cancellation policy
Phase 2
Pricing and packages
Included in the complete kit
Phase 3
Launch
Included in the complete kit
Phase 4
Marketing and first clients
Included in the complete kit
Phase 5
Daily routes and client care
Included in the complete kit
Phase 6
Hiring your first walker
Included in the complete kit
Phase 7
Growth
Included in the complete kit
Suppliers and Tools
Vendors independent operators use.
No supplier pays to be listed. If we ever earn a referral fee from a link, it will say “Affiliate link” right next to it.
Scheduling and billing software
Booking, visit logs, client portals and invoicing built for pet care.
Insurance and bonding
Liability insurance covering animals in your care, plus fidelity bonds.
App platforms (an alternative channel, not a franchise)
Marketplaces that send you bookings in exchange for a share of each booking. Useful for first clients; check their current fees.
The Kit Is Coming
Everything on this page is free. The downloadable kit (playbook, spreadsheets, templates) is in the works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a franchise?
No. The Open Franchise is not a franchise and does not sell franchises. You start and own your business yourself, with no franchise fee, royalties, or territory rules. We sell guides and kits; that's all.
Should I just sign up with Rover or Wag instead?
You can, and many walkers find their first clients there. But the apps keep a share of each booking, set the rules, and own the customer relationship. Running your own business means finding clients yourself, and you keep the full price and the client. Some people use both.
Can my walkers be independent contractors?
In California, probably not. Under the ABC test, someone who walks your clients' dogs is doing your core business, so the law presumes they are an employee. Plan for payroll and workers' compensation when you hire.
Are these numbers guaranteed?
No. Every cost and price is an estimate from a cited source, shown as a range where possible, with the date we last checked it. Your costs and results will depend on your market and choices.
Figures last verified October 30, 2026. Every number links to its source. See all sources for this page.