Southborough · Kingston upon Thames
How to Start a Dog Walking Business in Southborough
What you need to know about local licensing, insurance and getting started -- specific to Southborough and the wider Kingston upon Thames area.
If you're weighing up a dog walking business in Southborough, 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 Southborough and Kingston upon Thames.
Southborough at a glance
Puppy Owners as a Client Source
New puppy owners across Kingston upon Thames are a realistic, recurring client source, often needing short daytime visits while house-training and routines are established.
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Dog Walking in Southborough
What the rules say
Walking dogs for clients needs no general licence anywhere in the UK -- that's reserved for the genuinely different activities of dog day care and home boarding, both licensable under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and not covered here. What is worth checking locally: several councils and specific parks run their own professional dog-walking permit schemes, and dogs-per-walker limits, where councils set one at all, come via a local Public Spaces Protection Order rather than a national rule -- confirm with the specific area you'll be working in. A collar showing the owner's name and address is a legal requirement for every dog in public (Control of Dogs Order 1992), and clearing up after dogs in your care is enforced locally. Public liability insurance isn't a legal must for a sole trader, but employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement the moment you take on non-family staff.
Questions about starting in Southborough
How do I find my first dog walking clients in Southborough?
Many new dog walkers in Southborough 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 Southborough?
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 Southborough.
Can I offer group walks as well as solo walks in Southborough?
Yes -- many dog walkers in Southborough 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 Southborough?
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 Southborough before you start.
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