Old Coulsdon · Reigate and Banstead
How to Start a Dog Walking Business in Old Coulsdon
What you need to know about local licensing, insurance and getting started -- specific to Old Coulsdon and the wider Reigate and Banstead area.
Thinking about starting a dog walking business in Old Coulsdon? This guide covers dog walking only -- not day care or home boarding, which sit under separate licensing. Walking has a low barrier to entry, but a few local rules are genuinely worth checking before your first booking in Old Coulsdon and the wider Reigate and Banstead area.
Old Coulsdon at a glance
Referral Networks Matter Here
Vets, pet shops, groomers and dog trainers across Reigate and Banstead are realistic referral sources for a new dog walking business, beyond direct advertising.
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Dog Walking in Old Coulsdon
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 Old Coulsdon
How many dogs can I walk at once in Old Coulsdon?
There's no UK-wide limit. Some councils set a cap via a Public Spaces Protection Order, commonly for use on their own land or parks, but plenty have no limit at all -- check the specific council or park you plan to use in Old Coulsdon.
Do I need insurance to start a dog walking business in Old Coulsdon?
Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for a sole trader, but it's close to standard practice across Old Coulsdon and Reigate and Banstead, and some local licences require proof of it as a condition. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement once you take on any staff.
Do I need a DBS check to walk dogs in Old Coulsdon?
Not as a blanket rule. It's a commercial trust-building choice, most relevant if you'll be holding a client's house keys in Old Coulsdon -- it isn't a confirmed legal requirement either way for general dog walking.
How do I find my first dog walking clients in Old Coulsdon?
Many new dog walkers in Old Coulsdon start through personal networks, local dog-owner Facebook groups, a Google Business Profile, and partnerships with local vets, pet shops and groomers.
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