Greatness · Tonbridge and Malling
How to Start a Dog Walking Business in Greatness
What you need to know about local licensing, insurance and getting started -- specific to Greatness and the wider Tonbridge and Malling area.
If you're weighing up a dog walking business in Greatness, the key distinction to get right from day one is walking versus day care or overnight boarding -- only the latter needs an animal activities licence. Here's the breakdown for Greatness and Tonbridge and Malling.
Greatness at a glance
Group Walks Add Efficiency
Offering group walks alongside solo visits lets a dog walker across Tonbridge and Malling serve more clients per hour -- though it's worth checking local rules and insurance cover for that model first.
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Dog Walking in Greatness
What the rules say
There's no general national licence for plain dog walking in the UK. Dog day care and home boarding are different -- both are licensable activities under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, and sit outside what this guide covers. What does vary locally is real: some councils and parks run their own professional dog-walking licence or permit schemes, and any 'number of dogs per walker' limit is set locally too, usually via a Public Spaces Protection Order -- check the specific council or park you intend to use rather than assuming a single UK-wide rule. Every dog you walk in public must wear a collar showing the owner's name and address (Control of Dogs Order 1992), and you're responsible for clearing up after every dog in your care. Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for a sole trader, but employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement the moment you take on non-family staff.
Questions about starting in Greatness
How do I find my first dog walking clients in Greatness?
Many new dog walkers in Greatness start through personal networks, local dog-owner Facebook groups, a Google Business Profile, and partnerships with local vets, pet shops and groomers.
What happens if a dog in my care fouls in public in Greatness?
You're responsible for clearing up after every dog in your care, every time -- it's an offence not to, enforced through the Public Spaces Protection Order covering Greatness.
Can I offer group walks as well as solo walks in Greatness?
Yes -- many dog walkers in Greatness offer both. Group walks carry a different risk and insurance profile from one-to-one walks, so it's worth confirming your cover reflects whichever model you choose.
Do I need a licence to start a dog walking business in Greatness?
No general national licence covers plain dog walking. Some councils and specific parks run their own professional dog-walking licence or permit schemes, so check directly with the council or parks team covering Greatness before you start.
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