How much would you guess I earn?

[Dogladyloveswine]

I took redundancy from a very corporate job a few years ago. Very respectable job title with a big company.

I decided to have a go at home dog boarding. So I look after dogs in my home for people who don’t like kennels. I also do a bit of doggie day care. It’s all just in my house.

It obviously doesn’t carry the same respect that my corporate job did! You don’t need any qualifications.

If you had to guess, what would you think I earn a month?

I’m going to say 50k. A relation stepped down from a decent company in a law practice. Does doggy day care, owns land to walk dogs on and some boarding. I know she earns more than her career.

Your previous post said you walk them at 9am and then you’re done for the day until their 3pm feed so which is it, one walk a day or three?

I have said several times now.

Breakfast 7am
Walks done by 9am

Dinner 3pm
Another walk

Bedtime snack
Another walk

I do pet sitting on the side of my usual job, I must be undercharging!! I make £15 per visit (and have complaints this is expensive), your friend is amazing if she finds people who will pay that

I love these types of posts because none of this has ever occurred to me. It's quite fascinating! I think 5K a month for a few hours a day of active work sounds fab OP!

That’s much closer to what I pay, as a pet owner. But it’s possible that central London or other very wealthy areas might be a lot more expensive.

£1,500 net

Thanks,
I had guessed that you had only been at it a short while, maybe from the tone of your posts. But if you have been doing it ten years and you still love it I am glad for you!

It sounds like you are working 7am - 9pm, including weekends. How are you walking 7 dogs, 3 times a day, in 3 hours? Do you take all 7 out together? All on leads?
Is the £5k before or after tax? Is £35 a day a daily rate?
I wouldn't want to work with dogs, but if you love it, good for you. It is great that you enjoy your work, but it does sound quite tying to me.

All you need is a licence from your council and insurance. That’s it!

And space... space to keep up to 12 dogs. Even small dogs take more space than many people have. And willingness to pick up many lots of poo every day.

Where do the dogs sleep? In the lounge? In individual kennels? In crates?

No one can walk 12 dogs in an urban area all at once, even small ones. So how many get walked at once and do the others just stay in their crates during that time or is there someone else at home to keep an eye on them?

Sounds like OP might have a housemate who helps a bit, too.

I can walk multiple dogs at the same time. If there's too many, I just do 2 loops. Figures quoted are before tax. You're right, it IS very tying, but I don't mind.

Yes, space indeed. We usually have 6-7 here, and the dogs are tiny. Yes, lots of poo picking! The dogs sleep in the kitchen which is a fair size. I do get help from DH a lot, but when he's at work obviously I have to go it alone, which is easy.

How many dogs at a time?

I’m a dog owner and I have a massive problem with people walking multiple dogs especially when they’re not their own dogs. There’s a risk to other dogs and occasionally people when things get out of control, as I’ve seen happening.

How many dogs do you look after each day?

My max is 4. They are all on leads and under control. My problem is when a dog owner has their dog off the lead, and they allow it to get in amongst the 4 I'm walking. Obviously that can upset my dogs and how am I supposed to get rid of their dog? They just watch on and don't think to grab their dog. Very frustrating.

The average is 6/7, but can be higher or lower.

wow OP this is brilliant.
Good for you for building this business, income & lifestyle.
Inspirational!

I wonder if I could do similar with/for cats? 😁

I charge £7 for each cat I visit in SW4

@pookie29
There are people who treat cats as human children and they live in luxury!

Great thread!

It depends on the number of dogs, could be anything at all depending on the size of your kennels/home

I would love to do this.
What is a 'secure' garden?
I have a feeling I would have to get a higher gate. Mine is roughly 3 and a half feet, from the drive through to the back garden. The garden itself is adequately fenced though.

OP, I use care for my dogs and also my cats. My dogs go to daycare twice a week, and also board in the same facility throughout the year. They LOVE it there. For the cats, we have catsitters call in daily when we’re away.

If we go away for a two week holiday, the cost of pet care is right up there with flights. It really is a very significant cost and one we factor into our budget but, given we don’t have family who live locally to help out, it’s pay or stay home, so it’s entirely worth it to us. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy a holiday knowing my pets aren’t being looked after very well.

Don’t be down on yourself and referring to your job as “menial”. It’s important. You’re self-employed, sustaining yourself economically, and providing a really valuable service. I know that the businesses we use make a lot of sacrifices to make sure they can meet customers’ needs, and they’re really, really dedicated to making sure pets are cared for and happy. Good pet carers are hard to find and, when you do find someone good, you hold on to them for dear life.

So don’t be negative about your business!

The dogs sleep in the kitchen which is a fair size.

Do you leave them all sleeping in open (in their own beds?) or do they each have a crate? How disturbed are you at night? I fostered a dog once 1-2 evenings she woke us up at 3am & demanded to go out in some kind of neurotic way. We couldn't figure out why. Only happened maybe 2x in the 6 weeks.

My spaniel needs 2 hours a day of walking. So if you have to do two loops because of the 7 dogs that is 4 hours of walking. More if any of the dogs don't get on and then of course you are leaving the remaining dogs at home alone. Or are your walks 5 mins round the block?