Dog walking service 19 October 2018 at 10:33AM in Boost your income 8 replies 1.4K views

Mumof2_2

Hi, I have just started a dog walking service - I also will do 'drop ins' where I go and see the dog at home, feed if necessary, let out in the garden and spend some time with it. I have a website and also a page on Facebook and have picked up 2 clients (only been going a week so not bad!)

My question is does anyone else do this and how do you record your money out and money in (sorry don't know technical terms!). I want to keep a log on it and think I can probably put mileage on it as well as money like poo bags/leads/first aid kit/logo clothing etc but not too sure where to start!

Thanks guys

jennywren21

Hi

Congratulations on starting your new business! Firstly have you registered with HMRC as self employed as you will need to do a self assessment tax return and pay class 2 national insurance contributions.

In terms of bookkeeping a simple cashbook should be sufficient for your needs at the moment. Stationery shops stock them and you just record your income and expenses.
Keep all the receipts and invoices for the purchases that you make for the business as you should be able to use the majority or all of them.

If you take a look on the HMRC website there is a section on self employment and this will give you some help as to what you can include as expenses.

A one off appointment with an accountant is sometimes useful as well.

I hope this helps

Good luck xx

Ms_Chocaholic

Don't forget insurance

Tallaght

There was a woman on my local tv news channel who has done very well with this kind of business.A lot of the clients seem to be people living alone,working long hours and people with a disability that cannot take their dogs for a walk much.
I did not realise that people walking 4 dogs or more at a time face a £100 penalty fine.

Mumof2_2

Thanks so much for all your responses!

I hadn't realised stationery stores sell cashbooks - I'll check them out for sure.

I am already registered with the HMRC as I used to be a self employed audio typist - had to give it up due to tennis elbow/tendonitis/RSI etc - I had the works!! I don't earn enough to pay NI contributions and have a form stating that.

I am insured for dog walking - I've taken out a special policy. Also I've told my car insurers and that's fine.

The maximum number of dogs I'll walk at any one time is 3 so I will be fine.

Thanks again

fewgroats

"Don't forget insurance".

Against losing the dogs? This is going to add up.

Trentenders

Tallaght wrote: »

I did not realise that people walking 4 dogs or more at a time face a £100 penalty fine.

I'd be interested in your source for this, as it isn't true. Does the fine relate to a specific park from a specific council?

Ilona

Trentenders wrote: »

I'd be interested in your source for this, as it isn't true. Does the fine relate to a specific park from a specific council?

In my area there are notices up all over the place saying no more than four dogs. I believe the Council implements this rule.

I have seen a dog walker pick several dogs up, take them to a patch of rough ground and let them run about. This might not be covered by the four dogs rule.

Op, your insurance needs to cover every eventuality. I know someone who dropped his dog into a doggy day care when he was going to be out all day. They were told not to walk it due to breathing problems. They did walk it, and it died. Think of the worst case scenario and get it covered.

ilona

fewgroats

Shall we all agree that in an ideal world the business should have insurance but it all comes down to business priorities?