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How to Start a Dog Walking / Pet Sitting Business

What it takes to legally start a dog walking / pet sitting business in the US — licensing, structure, EIN, taxes, insurance, and your first customers. The steps are the same everywhere; the forms and fees depend on your state, so pick yours below for the exact links.

Typical startup cost
$300–$2,000
Licensing
state + local — varies
Best structure
LLC for most
First customers
referrals + local search

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  1. Check the licensing for dog walking / pet sitting work

    Generally just a local business license. Pet-sitting insurance and bonding are expected by clients and required to list on care marketplaces. Boarding pets in your home adds local kennel/zoning rules. This is the part that varies most by state — some require a state license or registration before you can advertise, others leave it to the city or county. Confirm both your state board and your local government before you take a job.

  2. Decide what the business needs to open

    Dog walking, pet sitting, and drop-in visits, usually app-scheduled. The setup areas that usually matter for a dog walking / pet sitting business: Local business license, Pet-care liability + bonding, Scheduling and key-management system, Per-visit and package pricing, Backup-walker plan. Typical cost to get operational: $300–$2,000.

  3. Pick a structure — sole proprietor or LLC

    You can start as a sole proprietor with no filing, or form an LLC (usually $50–$300 depending on your state) for liability protection. For hands-on trade work where something can go wrong on a customer's property, most owners choose the LLC.

    LLC filing fee and steps by state ↗

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  4. Get a free EIN from the IRS

    An Employer Identification Number is free and takes a few minutes online. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire.

    IRS — Apply for an EIN ↗

  5. Register for state taxes and get insurance

    Register with your state's tax agency if you'll collect sales tax, then line up general liability insurance and a surety bond — most contracts and license boards require proof of coverage.

  6. What dog walking / pet sitting businesses charge

    $20–$35 per 30-minute walk, $15–$25 for a drop-in visit, overnight pet sitting $50–$90/night, with discounts for weekly packages. Holiday and last-minute bookings priced at a premium. Recurring weekday midday walks are the stable base; pet sitting spikes around holidays and summer travel. A tight service radius, reliability, and photo updates earn the referrals that grow the route.

  7. Get your first dog walking / pet sitting customers

    Rover/Wag for initial clients, then Nextdoor and referrals to go independent. Recurring midday walks build a stable weekly schedule. Reliability and photo updates earn the referrals that grow the route.

    Getting customers for a dog walking / pet sitting business ↗

  8. The mistake most first-year dog walking / pet sitting owners make

    Staying on Rover/Wag long-term and giving up 20–40% of every booking. The marketplaces are fine for the first clients, but the business is converting them to direct, recurring, midday-walk clients you own the relationship with.

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Frequently asked

How do I start a dog walking / pet sitting business?

Check the licenses for dog walking / pet sitting work in your state, pick a structure (sole proprietor or LLC), get a free EIN from the IRS, register for state taxes, open a business bank account, get general liability insurance and a bond, then set up a Google Business Profile and line up your first jobs. The order and the exact forms depend on your state.

Do I need a license to start a dog walking / pet sitting business?

Generally just a local business license. Pet-sitting insurance and bonding are expected by clients and required to list on care marketplaces. Boarding pets in your home adds local kennel/zoning rules.

How much does it cost to start a dog walking / pet sitting business?

Plan for $300–$2,000 to get operational, plus $50–$300 if you form an LLC (varies by state). An EIN is free, and general liability insurance runs a few hundred dollars a year for most solo operators.

What should I charge for dog walking / pet sitting?

$20–$35 per 30-minute walk, $15–$25 for a drop-in visit, overnight pet sitting $50–$90/night, with discounts for weekly packages. Holiday and last-minute bookings priced at a premium.

How much do dog walking / pet sitting businesses make?

It depends on your rates, your utilization, and your area. See the income and pricing breakdown for a dog walking / pet sitting business for typical owner take-home and what to charge.

How much does a dog walking / pet sitting business license cost?

It depends on your state and exactly which license applies — a state professional license commonly runs $50–$300 plus any exam or renewal fee, and a local city/county business license is often another $25–$100. That's separate from the $50–$300 LLC filing fee if you form one. Use the License Finder tool with your state for the exact fee for dog walking / pet sitting work.

How much does dog walking / pet sitting business insurance cost?

General liability insurance for a solo dog walking / pet sitting operator typically runs $300–$800 a year, more with commercial auto coverage or a higher liability limit, plus a surety bond that usually costs $100–$500/yr. Most contracts, landlords, and license boards require proof of coverage before you can start.

Where do the first dog walking / pet sitting customers come from?

Rover/Wag for initial clients, then Nextdoor and referrals to go independent.

Official sources

Fees and timelines are commonly-cited figures last reviewed September 2026 and can change — always confirm on the official site. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.

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AI-generated guidance is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Disclosures · Trust center